Backstage
Jools Holland Lyrics

Another town, don’t know it’s name
I am in a new place, unfamiliar and unknown

An empty feeling, just the same
Despite the different surroundings, I still feel a deep sense of emptiness

A silent drive, another show, to a lonely hotel room I’ll go
In solitude, I travel in silence to yet another performance, ultimately ending up in a solitary and empty hotel room

At times like these I miss you so
During moments like these, I long for your presence and miss you deeply

But a thousand hands applaud tonight
Despite my internal loneliness, I receive the adoration and applause of an enthusiastic audience

I sing my songs, my star shines bright
I perform my music, my fame and talent shine brightly

I stop and smile, I take my bow
After my performance, I pause, express gratitude, and take a bow

I leave the stage and then somehow
Upon exiting the stage, a sense of emptiness and longing lingers within me

Backstage, I'm lonely, backstage, I cry
Once behind the scenes, I feel isolated and shed tears in solitude

You've gone away and each night I seem to die a little
Since you departed, each night brings a gradual deterioration of my spirit

Out on that stage, I play the star
On the stage, I embody the role of a renowned performer

I'm famous now, I've come so far
My fame has been achieved, and I have made significant progress in my career

A famous fool, I let love go
Despite my success, I foolishly allowed love to slip away

I didn't know I'd miss you so
I underestimated the depth of my longing for you

Hating myself since I let you say goodbye
I feel immense self-disdain for allowing you to leave and saying goodbye

Every night a different room, every night a different club
With each passing night, I find myself in a new room and a new venue

And yet I'm lonely all the time
Nevertheless, I remain perpetually lonely

When I sign my autograph, when I hold an interview
Even when engaging with fans and media, when signing autographs or participating in interviews

Can’t get you out of my mind
I cannot stop thinking about you

Come back my love, come back to me
I desperately yearn for your return, my beloved

I need you now so desperately
My longing for you is profound and urgent

What good is fame? It's just a game
I question the true value of fame, recognizing it is merely a fleeting and superficial pursuit

I'd give it all to be the same
I would sacrifice everything to revert back to the way things were

Backstage, I wait now hoping I'll see
Behind the scenes, I patiently wait, hoping to catch a glimpse

Your smiling face waiting there, backstage for me
I yearn for the sight of your joyful countenance eagerly anticipating my arrival, backstage

Waiting for me backstage, waiting for me backstage
You patiently await my presence behind the scenes, anticipating my arrival