Once ba** fueled my heartbeat
Once trance chilled my hot-headed soul
Now I'm playing a role
Once songs kept me in heat
Once synths were my only neavou
Oh, where did it go?
Everything's staged
And everything's built
The fruit doesn't age
The flowers don't wilt
Everything's staged
And everything's made
Have I been played?
And if you hear the pumping sound of drums
It's EQ'd and revised and delayed
And if you yell and scream at every thump
They're not live, they're like everything: staged!
Cut out five shows early
I can't take this unending tour
No, not anymore
No cash or deal can help me
I'm still -- now silence cuts to my bones
Leave me alone
Everything's staged
And everything's lies
I'm ruled by my rage
The money's run dry
Everything's staged
And everything hurts
Is this my curse?
And if you see my smile shined up in lights
Know it's paid for, retouched, and afraid
And if you climb while you're afraid of heights
There is no one who comes to your aid
Set the gain to zero
Someone sweep the dust from the room
It's over so soon
Now I've met my heroes
And they told me everything's staged
They let me be caged
Everything's staged
The world is all lies
A war you can wage
Or say your goodbyes
Everything's staged
Don't tell me it's real
You do what you feel?
Everything's staged
And everything's built
The fruit doesn't age
The flowers don't wilt
Everything's staged
Electric or not
Don't give it a thought