The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress

Don't tell my sister about your most recent vision
Don't tell my family, they're all wicked strict Christian
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 theatre
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 kinda 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 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 Gazarra
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
And some other nights it's work

They come in for the beating
Sit in stadium seating
They're holding their hands out
For the body and blood now

We're the directors
Our hands all hold steady
I'll be John Cassavetes
Let me know when you're ready

Whoa
Man, we make our own movies
Man, we make our own movies

Whoa
Man, we make our own movies
Man, we make our own movies

Whoa