The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress lyrics

Don't tell my sister about
Your most recent vision
Don't tell my family they're
All wicked strict Christians
Don't tell the hangers-on don't
Tell your friends
Don't tell them we went down
To Ybor City again

Don't tell the dancers they'll
Just get distracted
Don't tell the DJs, they already suspect us
Don't mention the bloodshed don't
Mention the skins don't tell them Ybor City
Almost killed us again

We are the theater
They are the people dressed up to be seated
Looking upwards and dreaming
We're the projectors
We're hosting the screening


We're dust in the spotlights
We're just kind of floating

Don't drop little hints I don't
Want them to guess
Don't mention Tampa they'll just
Know all the rest
Don't mention the bloodshed don't
Tell them it hurts
Don't say we saw angels they'll take
Us straight to the church

They queue up for tickets
To see the performance
They push to get closer
Looking upwards with wonder
We are the actors the cameras are rolling
I'll be Ben Gazzara you'll be Gena Rowlands

Sometimes actresses get slapped

Sometimes actresses get slapped
Sometimes fake fights turn out bad
Sometimes actresses get slapped
Some nights making it look real
Might end up with someone hurt
Some nights it's just entertainment
Some other nights it's work

They come in for the feeding
Sit in stadium seating
They're holding their hands out
For the body and blood now
We're the directors
Our hands will hold steady
I'll be John Cassavettes
Let me know when you're ready
Man, we make our own movies