Slapped Actress
Behind the Scenes of Ybor City Drama
Lyrics
Don't tell my sister about your most recent vision.
Cautioning against sharing personal visions with the speaker's sister.
Don't tell my family they're all wicked-strict Christian.
Advising not to disclose the family's strict Christian beliefs.
Don't tell the hangers-on, don't tell your friends.
Warning against informing hangers-on and friends about certain activities.
Don't tell them we went down to Ybor City, again.
Keeping quiet about a visit to Ybor City to avoid repercussions.
Don't tell the dancers, they'll just get distracted.
Cautioning against informing dancers to prevent distraction.
Don't tell the DJs. They already suspect us.
Suggesting that DJs already suspect something, so avoid confirmation.
Don't mention the bloodshed, don't mention the scams.
Advising not to mention bloodshed or scams in conversation.
Don't tell them Ybor City almost killed us, again.
Highlighting the danger faced in Ybor City on a previous occasion.
We are the theater, they are the people dressed up to be seated,
Describing the dynamic between the speaker and others as a theatrical performance.
Lookin' upwards and dreamin'. We're the projectors.
Emphasizing the role of the speaker as a projector in the theatrical scenario.
We're hosting the screening.
Stating that the speaker hosts the screening of the theatrical performance.
We're dust in the spotlights, we're just kinda floating.
Portraying the speaker as ephemeral, like dust in spotlights, floating.
Don't drop little hints. I don't want them to guess.
Discouraging subtle hints and avoiding mention of certain details.
Don't mention Tampa, they'll just know all the rest.
Cautioning against mentioning Tampa to keep certain information undisclosed.
Don't mention bloodshed, don't tell them it hurts.
Warning against discussing bloodshed and its painful effects.
Don't say we saw angels, they'll take us straight to the church.
Avoiding disclosure of having seen angels to prevent association with the church.
They queue up for tickets to see the performance, they push to get closer,
Describing the audience queuing for tickets to witness the performance.
Lookin' upwards with wonder. We are the actors.
Identifying the speaker and others as actors in the grand performance.
The cameras are rollin'.
Noting the presence of cameras, emphasizing the performative nature of the situation.
I'll be Ben Gazzara, you'll be Gena Rowlands.
Comparing the speaker to Ben Gazzara and a companion to Gena Rowlands.
Sometimes, actresses get slapped.
Reflecting on the unpredictability of acting, where real emotions and injuries may arise during staged fights.
Sometimes, actresses get slapped.
-Sometimes, fake fights turn out bad.
-Sometimes, actresses get slapped.
-Some nights, makin' it look real might end up with someone hurt.
-Some nights, it's just entertainment, and, some other nights, it's real.
-They come in for the beating, to see the stadium seating.
Describing the audience's anticipation of violence in the performance.
They're holding their hands out for the body and blood, now.
Depicting the audience reaching out for the visceral elements of the performance.
We're the directors, our hands will hold steady.
Identifying the speakers as directors with a commitment to steadiness.
I'll be John Cassavettes, let me know when you're ready.
Comparing the speaker to John Cassavettes, seeking readiness for the next scene.
Man, we make our own movies. Man, we make our own movies.
Emphasizing the speaker's autonomy in creating their own "movies" or life experiences.
Man, we make our own movies. Man, we make our own movies.
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