Masquerade
Karaoke - Phantom Of The Opera Lyrics
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Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade, every face a different shade
Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you
Flash of mauve, splash of puce
Fool and king, ghoul and goose
Green and black, queen and priest
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round in an inhuman race
Thigh of blue, true is false
Who is who
Curl of lip, swirl of gown
Ace of hearts, face of clown, faces
Drink it in, drink it up 'til you've drowned
In the light, in the sound
But who can name the face?
Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Masquerade, burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade, seething shadows breathing lies
Masquerade, you can fool any friend who ever knew you
Masquerade, leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade, run and hide, but a face will still pursue you
What a night, what a crowd
Makes you glad
Makes you proud
All the crème, de la crème
Watching us, watching them
And all our fears are in the past
Three months of relief
Of delight, of elysian peace
And we can breathe at last
No more notes, no more ghost
Here's a health, here's a toast
To a prosperous year, to the new chandelier
And may our splendor never fade (what a joy) (what a change)
What a blessed release
And what a masquerade
Think of it, a secret engagement
Look, your future bride, just think of it
But why is it secret? What have we to hide?
Please, let's not fight (Christine, you're free)
Wait 'til the time is right (when will that be?)
It's an engagement, not a crime
Christine, what are you afraid of?
Let's not argue (let's not argue)
Please pretend (I can only hope)
You will understand in time (I'll understand in time)
Masquerade, paper faces on parade
Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade, every face a different shade
Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you
Masquerade, burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Why so silent, good Messieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Have you missed me, good Messieurs?
I have written you an opera
Here, I bring the finished score
Don Juan triumphant
I advise you to comply
My instructions should be clear
Remember, there are worse things than a shattered chandelier
Your chains are still mine, you will sing for me
The lyrics of "Masquerade" from Phantom of the Opera delve into the themes of deception, hidden identities, and the facade that people often present to the world. The imagery of paper faces on parade and masks evokes the idea of individuals concealing their true selves behind a facade. The repetition of the word "Masquerade" emphasizes the notion of hiding behind a mask to avoid being seen or known by others.
The song paints a vivid picture of a lavish masquerade ball where different characters wear masks representing various personas. The lines "Flash of mauve, splash of puce, Fool and king, ghoul and goose" describe the array of characters present at the masquerade, each with their own unique mask and identity. This masquerade ball becomes a metaphor for the complexities and illusions of human interactions, where truths may be obscured behind layers of deceit.
As the lyrics progress, the song explores the dizzying spectacle of the masquerade, with swirling colors and faces blending together in a whirlwind of deception. The lines "Drink it in, drink it up 'til you've drowned, In the light, in the sound" suggest getting lost in the allure of the masquerade and losing oneself in the illusion of the moment.
The song concludes with a shift in tone as the Phantom makes a dramatic entrance, asserting his control over the attendees with a new opera he has composed. The Phantom's manipulative and menacing presence underscores the underlying tension and darkness that lurks beneath the surface of the seemingly festive masquerade. The final lines serve as a chilling reminder of the power dynamics at play, as the Phantom asserts his dominance and control over the unsuspecting guests, setting the stage for further intrigue and manipulation.
Line by Line Meaning
Masquerade, paper faces on parade
A gathering where individuals hide their true selves behind masks
Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you
Conceal your identity to avoid being exposed to the world
Masquerade, every face a different shade
Each person wears a unique mask, portraying a different persona
Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you
There are hidden identities all around, with surprises at every turn
Masquerade, burning glances, turning heads
Eyes full of curiosity and admiration, capturing attention
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Take a moment to observe the masks and expressions surrounding you
Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masks in vivid colors, exuding excitement and energy
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sofia
Monsieur Andre, monsieur Firmin
Dear Andre, what a splendid party
The prelude to a bright new year
Quite a night, I'm impressed
Well, one does one's best
Here's to us
The toast for the city
What a pity that the phantom can't be here
Masquerade, paper faces on parade
Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade, every face a different shade
Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you
Flash of mauve, splash of puce
Fool and king, ghoul and goose
Green and black, queen and priest
Trace of rouge, face of beast, faces
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round in an inhuman race
Eye of gold, true is false
Who is who
Curl of lip, swirl of gown
Ace of hearts, face of clown, faces
Drink it in, drink it up till you've drowned
In the light, in the sound but who can name the face
Masquerade, grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Masquerade, burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade, seething shadows breathing lies
Masquerade, you can fool any friend who ever knew you
Masquerade, leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade, run and hide, but a face will still pursue you
What a night, what a crowd
Makes you glad
Makes you proud
All the crème, de la crème
Watching us, watching them
All our fears are in the past
Three months of relief
Of delight, of elysian peace
And we can breathe at last
No more notes, no more ghost
Here's a health, here's a toast
To a prosperous year
To our friends who are here
And may the splendor never fade
What a blessed release
And what a masquerade
Think of it, a secret engagement
Look, your future bride, just think of it
But, why is it secret? what have we to hide
You promised me, no, raoul, please don't, they'll see
Well then let them see, it's an engagement, not a crime
Christine, what are you afraid of
Let's not argue
(Let's not argue)
Please pretend
(I can only hope)
You will understand in time
(I'll understand in time)
Masquerade, paper faces on parade
Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade, every face a different shade
Masquerade, look around, there's another mask behind you
Masquerade, burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade, stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you masquerade
Grinning ellows, spinning reds
Masquerade, take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Clare Costa
Monsieur Andre! Monsieur Firmin!
Dear Andre, what a splendid party
The prelude to a bright new year
Quite a night, I'm impressed
Well, one does one's best
Here's to us
The toast for the city
What a pity that the Phantom can't be here
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you
Flash of mauve, splash of puce
Fool and king, ghoul and goose
Green and black, queen and priest
Trace of rouge, face of beast, faces
Take your turn, take a ride
On the merry-go-round in an inhuman race
Eye of gold, true is false
Who is who?
Curl of lip, swirl of gown
Ace of hearts, face of clown, faces
Drink it in, drink it up till you've drowned
In the light, in the sound but who can name the face?
Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade! Seething shadows breathing lies
Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you
Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes
Masquerade! Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you
What a night! What a crowd!
Makes you glad
Makes you proud
All the crème, de la crème
Watching us, watching them
All our fears are in the past
Three months of relief
Of delight, of Elysian peace
And we can breathe at last
No more notes, no more ghost
Here's a health, here's a toast
To a prosperous year
To our friends who are here
And may the splendor never fade
What a blessed release
And what a masquerade
Think of it, a secret engagement
Look, your future bride, just think of it
But, why is it secret? What have we to hide?
You promised me, no, Raoul, please don't, they'll see
Well then let them see, it's an engagement, not a crime
Christine, what are you afraid of?
Let's not argue
(Let's not argue)
Please pretend
(I can only hope)
You will understand in time
(I'll understand in time)
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you
Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you
LZ
Hide you face so the world can never find you... Its actually really dark and beautiful, as if they're singing the Phantom's innermost thoughts without even realizing it...
Sofija
"You can run and hide but a face will still pursue you"
Labrini Kotsiori
In the end the Phantom sings these lines before desapearing... It's a subtle foreshadowing of his past
Chloe Arendt
That's a great way to put it!
Noonish
This is one of the best songs ever written. It's like the major commentary on the entire musical. If you question that, look at how many thematic references there are to other pieces of this musical withing this. Subtlety within storytelling can demonstrate the greatest brilliance, and using melodic resonance as a form of storytelling is just about the height of subtlety. This song is always more intrinsic to the Phantom than even "Music of the Night."
Alexis McGill
i sing this around my house ALL the time for my wedding im having a Masquerade and the dresses and masks look like they couldve been worn in the movie its surreal hahaha
Cheshire Cat
I'm going to be playing this song at my sweet 16 because my party is going to be a masquerade. ^-^
BrokuoliSoup
Me too
Jun Wei Au
How'd it go it's a security nightmare but okay haha
Ed SR
How was it?