Smile On The Shift

[Verse 1]
Clock in
Still half asleep, eyes sting
Apron on, fake gold ring
I’m married to this dinging bell, this line of names
Menu
I know your order, know your face
Extra ice, extra sauce, extra space
For the tips that never come, but I still say “thanks”
[Pre-Chorus]
Swipe your card, I swipe my tears
No receipt for all these years
Every table sees my teeth
Nobody sees what’s underneath
[Chorus]
I keep a smile on the shift (yeah)
Like nothing’s wrong with me
You see the plates and pics
You never see my grief
From morning light to midnight drift
I’m laughing through my teeth
I keep a smile on the shift
So you can eat in peace
[Verse 2]
Day rush
Kids scream, bosses talk tough
I bow, say “sir,” “ma’am,” “love”
While my rent climbs higher than these piles of cups
Phone buzz
In my pocket, bad news
Mom text, “baby, how are you?”
I type, “I’m fine,” hit send, go pour your juice
[Pre-Chorus]
Spin around, I spin my lies
“Yes, of course,” and “it’s alright”
Every “thank you, have a night”
Covers up another fight
[Chorus]
I keep a smile on the shift (hey)
Like nothing’s wrong with me
You see the plates and pics
You never see my grief
From morning light to midnight drift
I’m laughing through my teeth
I keep a smile on the shift
So you can eat in peace
[Bridge]
Who serves me
When I’m empty
Who clears my table
When I’m shaking
[Bridge]
Refill your glass, I’m running dry (so dry)
You’re posting joy, I’m passing by (scroll by)
But if you’re here, I’ll treat you right
I’ll be your sunshine in the night (in the night)
[Chorus]
I keep a smile on the shift
Like nothing’s wrong with me
You see the plates and pics
You never see my grief
From morning light to midnight drift
I’m laughing through my teeth
I keep a smile on the shift
So you can eat in peace
[Chorus]
I keep a smile on the shift (oh)
Till chairs are stacked and flipped
Till I clock out from this script
And let my face go limp
From morning light to midnight drift
I lose myself in tips
I keep a smile on the shift
So you can taste your bliss

rap, Moody hybrid of trap-pop and dark EDM with K-pop energy; male vocals over a tense, bouncing synth bass, crisp hat patterns, and airy pads. Verses stay tight and intimate, almost whispered at first, then build into a huge, chanty hook with stacked harmonies and distorted backing vox. Drops hit with side-chained synth stabs and sub swells, final chorus explodes with extra ad-libs and wide stereo claps for a hype yet bittersweet feel., pop, k-pop, hip hop, edm