More songs by Taylor Swift
More songs by Sabrina Carpenter
Description
This sound is like tinsel and glitter, with cold steel hissing behind it. Under the spotlights, there are smiles, jokes, wit, and lace, but behind the scenes, there are bruises, exhaustion, and a fight for a place in the spotlight. This is a story about how the dream of a “glamorous life” turns into a contract with pain, where every blink of an eye is part of the deal, and every movement in a garter is a small manifesto of power.
But the irony is that even after all the deception, the show goes on, and the voice you hear is not that of a victim, but of the mistress of the stage. Pain hides under lipstick, tears under glitter, and yet that feeling remains - the immortal fire that feeds and wounds, but makes you real. This anthem is not about glamour, but about surviving in glamour, when lace is armor and applause is fuel.
Sound engineer, producer, composer, lyricist: Max Martin
Programmer, producer, sound engineer, composer, lyricist: Shellback
Composer, lyricist, producer, vocalist: Taylor Swift
Mixing engineer: Serban Genea
Second mixing engineer: Bryce Bordone
Mixing engineer, sound engineer: Lasse Marten
Mastering engineer: Randy Merrill
Mastering engineer: Ryan Smith
Vocalist: Sabrina Carpenter
Sound engineer, sound producer: Eric Arwinder
Sound engineer, arranger, sound producer: Mattias Bailund
Sound engineer, sound producer: Willem Blikker
Other: Henrik Langemir
Lyrics and translation
Original
Her name was Kitty.
Made her money being pretty and witty.
They gave her the keys to this city. Then they said she didn't do it legitly.
Hmm.
I bought a ticket.
She's dancing in her garters and fishnets.
Fifty in the cast, zero missteps.
Looking back, I guess it was kismet.
I waited by the stage door, packed in with the autograph hounds barking her name.
Then glowing like the end of a cigarette, wow, she came out.
I said, "You live in my dreams.
" Then she said to me, "Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquet.
You're sweeter than a peach, but you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe, and you're never ever gonna wait.
The more you play, the more that you pay.
You're softer than a kitten, so you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe, and you're never gonna wanna. "
She was a menace, the baby of the family in Lenox.
Her father whored around like all men did.
Her mother took pills and played tennis.
So she waited by the stage door, asked the club promoter, "Arrive," she said, "I'd sell my soul to have a taste of a magnificent life.
It's all mine," but that's not what showgirls get. They leave us for dead.
"Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquet.
You're sweeter than a peach, but you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe, and you're never ever gonna wait.
The more you play, the more that you pay.
You're softer than a kitten, so you don't know the life of a showgirl, babe, and you're never gonna wanna.
" I took her pearls of wisdom, hung them from my neck. I paid my dues with every bruise. I knew what to expect.
Do you wanna take a skate on the ice inside my veins?
They ripped me off like false lashes and then threw me away, and all the headshots on the walls of the dance hall are of the bitches who wish I'd hurry up and die.
But I'm immortal now, baby dolls.
I couldn't if I tried.
So I say, "Thank you for the lovely bouquet.
" I'm married to the hustle, and now I know the life of a showgirl, babe, and I'll never know another.
Pain hidden by the lipstick and lace.
Sequins are forever, and now I know the life of a showgirl, babe.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
Oh.
Wouldn't have it any other way. Hey,
Kitty.
Now I make my money being pretty and witty.
Thank you for the lovely bouquet.
Thank you for an unforgettable night. We will see you next time.
Give it up for the band.
And the dancers.
-And of course, Sabrina. -I love you, Taylor.
That's our show. We love you so much. Good night.