How do you document real life
When real life is getting more
Like fiction each day
Headlines -- bread-lines
Blow my mind
And now this deadline
"Eviction -- or pay"
Rent!How do you write a song
When the chords sound wrong
Though they once sounded right and rare
When the notes are sour
Where is the power
You once had to ignite the air
And we're hungry and frozenSome life that we've chosenHow we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rentWe light candlesHow do you start a fire
When there's nothing to burn
And it feels like something's stuck in your flueHow can you generate heat
When you can't feel your feetAnd they're turning blue!You light up a mean blazeWith posters --And screenplays
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rentDon't screen, Maureen
It's me -- Joanne
Your substitute production manager
Hey hey hey! (Did you eat?)
Don't change the subject Maureen
But darling -- you haven't eaten all day
You won't throw up
You won't throw up
The digital delay ---
Didn't blow up (exactly)
There may have been one teeny tiny spark
You're not calling MarkHow do you stay on your feet
When on every street
It's 'trick or treat'
(And tonight it's 'trick')
'Welcome back to town'
Oh, I should lie down
Everything's brown
And uh -- oh
I feel sickWhere is he?Getting dizzyHow we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rentBENNYAlison baby -- you sound sad
I don't believe those two after everything I've done
Ever since our wedding I'm dirt -- They'll see
I can help them all out in the long runForces are gathering
Forces are gathering
Can't turn away
Forces are gatheringUghhhhh--
Ughhhhh--
Ughhhhh-- I can't think
Ughhhhh--
Ughhhhh--
Ughhhhh-- I need a drink"The music ignites the night with passionate fire"Maureen -- I'm not a theatre person"The narration crackles and pops with incendiary wit"Could never be a theatre personZoom in as they burn the past to the groundHello?And feel the heat of the future's glowHello?Hello? Maureen?
Okay, all right, I'll go!How do you leave the past behind
When it keeps finding ways to get to your heart
It reaches way down deep and tears you inside out
Till you're torn apart
Rent!How can you connect in an age
Where strangers, landlords, lovers
Your own blood cells betrayWhat binds the fabric together
When the raging, shifting winds of change
Keep ripping awayDraw a line in the sand
And then make a standUse your camera to sparUse your guitarWhen they act tough - you call their bluffWe're not gonna payWe're not gonna payWe're not gonna payLast year's rent
This year's rent
Next year's rent
Rent rent rent rent rent
We're not gonna pay rent'Cause everything is rent
Song Discussions is protected by U.S. Patent 9401941. Other patents pending.
