Composed, performed, produced by Bob Forbes.
Lyrics
A scare tactic, brightly lit masquerade,
Shout it into the static, let the frightening cascade.
This is a scare tactic, smoky mirrors in the dark,
I'm stepping out of a shadow, right onto your mark.
Paint the walls in colors that don't mean a thing,
Half smiles, cheap perfume, the night starts to sing.
You speak in thunder, that taught me how to shrink,
Flip the switch back off and watch me flinch.
A scare tactic, brightly lit masquerade,
Shout it into the static, let the frightening cascade.
This is a scare tactic, smoky mirrors in the dark,
I'm stepping out of a shadow, right onto your mark.
I've slept with a Siren's lullaby, learned her rhythm of alarms,
Felt like a puppet dangling in her arms.
Stomping the stage with a grin, pronounced you are,
But when the lights go down, you're just a broken star.
A scare tactic, brightly lit masquerade,
Shout it into the static, let the frightening cascade.
This is a scare tactic, smoky mirrors in the dark,
I'm stepping out of a shadow, right onto your mark.
I used to fold before a heartbeat in your palm on a dare,
Counting the seconds, swallowed up by the air.
Now I tune out the static, pulling pins from the noise,
Gaining courage with every shout of my voice.
A scare tactic, brightly lit masquerade,
Shout it into the static, let the frightening cascade.
This is a scare tactic, smoky mirrors in the dark,
I'm stepping out of a shadow, right onto your mark.
Copyright 2025; Bob Forbes