Lyrics: Franklin Ugwu
Music: Franklin Ugwu
Velvet rope, one breath—count to four,
Spotlight blooms, I’m wanting more.
3 a.m., lashes by the mirror light,
Zipper up the courage for another night,
Glitter in the carpet that the brooms can’t steal,
Smiles on layaway, pay with hurt in my heel.
Rumors on the marquee, flicker like a flame,
Practice turning headlines into my last name,
Champagne in a paper cup backstage cold,
Gold on my jacket, heart lined in bold.
Pull the curtain, hush the crowd, calm the sound inside,
I’ve learned to turn the noise to music when I cry,
Every doubt becomes a drum I dance upon,
When they say “smile,” I give them thunder till it’s gone.
This is the life of a showgirl—diamonds on a wire,
Balancing my history over open fire,
Paint my scars in silver, let the truth unfurl,
I turn every tear to confetti in a whirl.
This is the life of a showgirl—steel behind the curl,
Living for the moment, owning every swirl,
If they want a miracle, watch me change the world—
That’s the life, the life of a showgirl.
Showgirl, showgirl—step, turn, own it,
Showgirl, showgirl—heart’s the headline on it.
Flashbulbs bite, but I can take the sting,
I stitched my doubts into a crystal sling,
Practice in the shadows till the note rings true,
Grace in the chaos is the thing I do.
Tabloids toss a coin, try to buy my fate,
I cash it in for courage at the stage-door gate,
City after city, different dressing room,
Same fierce fire rising when the drums go boom.
Pull the curtain, hush the crowd, calm the sound inside,
I’ve learned to turn the quiet into where I rise,
Every “no” becomes a step I climb beyond,
Watch me set the rhythm, then I lead the song.
This is the life of a showgirl—diamonds on a wire,
Balancing my history over open fire,
Paint my scars in silver, let the truth unfurl,
I turn every tear to confetti in a whirl.
This is the life of a showgirl—steel behind the curl,
Living for the moment, owning every swirl,
If they want a miracle, watch me change the world—
That’s the life, the life of a showgirl.
No makeup, no marquee—just breath and bone,
If the cage is golden, I still hold the throne,
I’m the act and the author, ink on my hand,
Write my name in thunder, make the ground stand.
Hands up—feel the floor catch fire,
One spark—choir climbs higher,
Count it in—four to the heart,
When the lights go black, I start.
This is the life of a showgirl—diamonds on a wire,
Balancing my history over open fire,
Paint my scars in silver, let the truth unfurl,
I turn every tear to confetti in a whirl.
This is the life of a showgirl—steel behind the curl,
Living for the moment, owning every swirl,
If they want a miracle, watch me change the world—
That’s the life, the life of a showgirl.
Velvet rope falls, I exhale slow,
Leave a line of glitter everywhere I go.