(Verse 1)
Empty gilded cages, yeah, that's what I built my life on
Every step is a conquest. Every whisper a false truth
They called me king, they called me legend, whispered my name in awe
But the throne was cold, the crown too heavy, breaking every law
(Chorus)
Oh, I had it all, the world at my feet, a kingdom to command
But the gold turned to rust, the power to dust, a wasteland in my hands
I was the bad guy, the one who took, never gave, and never tried
And the only thing left, when the applause died, was the echoing lie
(Verse 2)
Shadows danced in champagne flutes, reflections of my empty stare
Traded real connections for the thrill of not caring, not a single prayer
Burned every bridge with a smile, watched the flames lick up high
Thought the heat would warm me, but it only made me sigh
(Chorus)
Oh, I had it all, the world at my feet, a kingdom to command
But the gold turned to rust, the power to dust, a wasteland in my hand
I was the bad guy, the one who took, never gave, never tried
And the only thing left, when the applause died, was the echoing lie
(Bridge)
Now, the silence screams louder than the cheers ever did before
Haunted by the ghosts of chances, knocking at my bolted door
No redemption arc, no last-minute change of heart to find
Just the bitter taste of everything I left behind
(Chorus)
Oh, I had it all, the world at my feet, a kingdom to command
But the gold turned to rust, the power to dust, a wasteland in my hand
I was the bad guy, the one who took, never gave, never tried
And the only thing left, when the applause died, was the echoing lie
(Outro)
Yeah, the echoing lie, it's all that's left of me
The bad guy's anthem, for all the world to see.
Just a fall out from having it all and losing every single thing.