Teeth In The Applause

You stand center front, Eat their noise like sugar
Smile wide, Bow low, I am in the back holding cables
Knuckles numb from the weight of your gig
You call me “part of the team” when you need me to haul your gear
You forget my face the second the crowd drags you near.

You post your highlight reel, My work in every frame
You tag strangers, thank brands, Skip my credit
Then ring me up, half drunk
“Couldn’t have done it without me, ” Right
Until the next interview.

You love my grind, hate my voice, You love my work
hate my choice To ask for credit, To ask for pay
You laugh it off
“You know I will hook you up one day.”
I am putting teeth in the applause you steal
Ripping your pretty claps open till they finally reveal
You built your myth on my ignored hands

Keep stepping on me and I will burn down your stands.
You say I am bitter
That I should be proud just to be near your flame
But I wrote the chords your fans scream in your lyrics
I tuned your sound, Pulled your voice out of the mud
Watched you shake my art clean
Leave me coated in the blood.

One day the crowd will hear the silence when I walk
No depth, just a cold click
You will try to fake the heartbeat you stole from my chest
Mic hot, spot bright, Still flat, at best.
I am putting teeth in the applause you steal
Ripping your pretty claps open till they finally reveal
You built your myth on my ignored hands

Keep stepping on me and I will burn down your stands.
Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts
I am already wiring my own. And my credit will not vanish under your control
Not this time. Not anymore.