Light Tunnels

Album: This Unruly Mess I've Made (2016)
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  • Last night the skies turned purple
    And past lives in light tunnels
    Light tunnels

    In the back of a town car, staring at myself in a tux
    Maneuvering through the people out front
    Police barricade, orange cones and we're stuck
    Twenty minutes late and my manager blowing me up
    Security guard in the garage at the entrance
    We rolled down the window and show him our credentials
    Turrell flash the pass and he let's us continue
    Metal detectors, phone booths and reception
    I should be grateful this my nine to five
    I walk into the green room, alright, alright
    I get on YouTube tryna learn how to tie on my tie
    Fuck it, I'll wear the bolo tonight, night, night
    I probably shouldn't have done the drugs I've done
    A couple of days ago, detox son
    I forgot my belt at the hotel
    Fuck, now my team all scrambling to help, this sucks
    I need something to cope, ain't nothing to cope
    I eat a banana and I drink a cup of throat coat
    I wish I had the homies with me here but nope
    Most of the artists that I know don't get invited to this show
    Because success, it determines our value
    The make-up, the power, the hairspray, perfume, make-up and powder
    The ratings come down to who's popular now in the song in the hour
    Knock at the door, I let them in, hair and make up now, red carpet in ten
    She covers up my freckles, concealer on my chin
    I look orange but she swears that it's natural with my skin
    The show is starting, they take me to my seat
    Walk in the arena, feel the ego of elites
    Like the whole industry is staring at me
    A row away from Taylor, two away from Jay and B

    Last night the skies turned purple and
    Past lives in light tunnels
    Light tunnels
    So that's who we are
    Just like the stars
    Shine your light on
    Shine your light on

    Curtain opens up, host walks out
    We stand in unison and applaud real loud
    I watch the other people that have been around for a while
    Just excited I got invited, feeling cool in the crowd
    Thinking such and such is bold, look at such and such's gold
    Damn, such and such in real life, looks really fuckin' old
    Such and such is fine, she's with such and such, oh
    I'm here but I'm barely even watching the show
    'Cause tonight we toast to our accomplishments
    Insecurity dressed up as confidence
    I said tonight we toast to our accomplishments
    Insecurity dressed up as confidence
    An award is given out, commercial, reset the scene
    They keep saying, "Coming up soon is the Biebs"
    Watch celebrities take selfies with celebrities
    It feels so make believe
    They want the gossip, they want the drama
    They want Britney Spears to make out with Madonna
    They want Kanye to rant and to go on longer, 'cause that equates to more dollars
    They want talking topics, they want trending topics
    They want outfits to be outlandish, they want sideways glances
    Beef and problems, they want nipple slips
    'Cause they live for clips, this is economics
    So we Botox our skin and we smile for the camera
    Might as well get a new nose while we're at it
    This is America insecurity's our fabric
    And we wear it and we renamed it fashion
    I look to my right, there's a cameraman snapping
    Picture after picture after sister after sister
    Of the line of Kardashians, mind so distracted
    Realized there's an ovation and everyone's clapping

    Last night the skies turned purple and
    Past lives in light tunnels
    Light tunnels
    So that's who we are
    Just like the stars
    Shine your light on
    Shine your light on

    It's just weird when the camera's on you
    Gotta remember to still clap if I lose
    I see myself up on the screen
    Split into five different artists on TV
    And just look normal, don't get turned into a meme
    Relax, breathe
    (And the award goes to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis)
    Me
    There's a stranger holding my award
    I give her an awkward hug she says "It's yours"
    Think I'm supposed to kiss her on the cheek
    Man, I should have prepared an acceptance speech
    Do I talk first? Is it Ryan? Is it me?
    Fuck it, I'll take the lead, grab the mic, say my piece
    Do I look at camera one? Do I look at camera three?
    I promise, I'm honored, I'd like to thank God, my mamma and father
    I'd like to thank Tricia, the mother of my daughter
    I couldn't have done it without you all in my corner
    Especially the fans, been here since the beginning
    Supported the music, allowed us to be independent
    And I know, I shouldn't be long-winded
    Wait, hold up, don't play the music, let me finish
    This feels so narcissistic, dressed as a celebration to conceal it's a business
    Me, me, me, my, my image, my, my songs, my self interest
    One big reality show that is scripted
    And I can keep trying or get off the competition
    I'd rather run out of my fifteen minutes
    Than have life pass me by and I forget to live it
    But that doesn't mean retirement
    But I don't like who I am in this environment
    I forgot what this art's for
    I didn't get through Freshman year to drop out as a Sophomore
    Here I am in this arena, yeah, I'm scared
    I got the people's attention, don't wanna lose it here
    Thinking about my career, miserable here
    But wanna make sure I'm invited next year
    To the same damn party, celebrities and aisle
    Same blank stares, same fake smiles
    Same big budget production
    I know now who I am when the lights go out and it falls down
    And the curtain closes, nobody notices
    Wanted to throw up the Roc, wanted to be HOVA
    Wanted to be Wayne with the accent from the NOLA
    Thought I'd feel better when the award show was over

    But I guess I showed up late
    Almost got cut off when they closed the gate
    Just in time, what will I say?
    Time to explain this unruly mess I've made
    Ay, I guess I showed up late
    Almost got cut off when they closed the gate
    Just in time, what will I say?
    Time to explain this unruly mess I've made Writer/s: Adam King Fenney, Andrew Joslyn, Ben Haggerty, Elan Wright, Josh Karp, Josh Rawlings, Mike Slap, Ryan Lewis
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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