[Verse]
She’s got a chrome-trim kitchen and a polka-dot smile,
Sets the table just so in suburban style,
Roast in the oven, wave at the door,
Lipstick perfect on a linoleum floor.
[Pre-Chorus]
But the curtains twitch when the sun goes down,
Phone rings twice on the edge of town,
Perfume that isn’t hers in the hall,
A shadow lingering on the wall.
[Chorus]
It’s a perfect life on a perfect street,
With a perfect smile and a skipped heartbeat,
Wave to the neighbours, neat and tight,
Everything’s perfect every night.
[Hook]
Perfect life, perfect line,
Hang it out on the washing line.
[Instrumental: Bright slapback solo with fast descending licks, upright bass slapping, brushed snare shuffle tightening]
[Verse]
Kids slam doors, they shout and run,
Muddy footprints, undone,
Cat leaves gifts on the mat,
She scrubs and sighs and deals with that.
[Pre-Chorus]
Whispers hum like a neon sign,
About who steps over the parish line,
They gather close when someone slips,
Folded arms and tightened lips.
[Chorus]
It’s a perfect life in a perfect frame,
Where everyone knows every name,
Stand in the circle, don’t ask why,
Smile real sweet and testify.
[Refrain]
Keep it clean, keep it bright,
Don’t let them see you out of line.
[Instrumental: Shuffle straightens into four-on-the-floor, upright bass fades to deep sub-bass, distorted synth arpeggio rising beneath twang]
[Verse]
Meeting down in the town square,
Trading glances, trading prayers,
If someone’s different, someone strays,
There are rules about the proper ways.
[Pre-Chorus]
Light a candle, raise your hand,
Do exactly what they demand,
Fire’s warm when you’re inside,
Colder on the other side.
[Chorus]
It’s a perfect life, don’t fall behind,
Keep your doubts out of mind,
March in step, keep time, keep face,
No room here for out-of-place.
[Hook]
Perfect street, perfect flame,
Nobody’s ever the one to blame.
[Instrumental: Beat drops half-time, synth growl under tremolo-picked minor riff, kick growing heavier and darker]
[Bridge]
Lipstick cracks but the smile remains,
Thunder humming in tidy lanes,
Silver fences, sharpened stares,
Sunday bells and folding chairs.
[Refrain]
Keep it clean, keep it bright,
Stand together, wrong or right.
[Instrumental: Double kick driving hard, distorted guitars chug in minor key, synth wall swelling to full intensity]
[Chorus]
It’s a perfect life, so they agree,
Under lock and under key,
Wave and smile, don’t question why,
Ash falls soft from a spotless sky.
[Big Finish]
Perfect life. Perfect street.
Perfect silence in the heat.
fatherjack
