That's Entertainment
Michael Feinstein Lyrics

A clown with his pants falling down
A performer who is clumsy and ridiculous, potentially losing their dignity for the sake of humor, and yet still entertaining an audience.

Or the dance that's a dream of romance
A choreographed routine that expresses a romantic ideal and creates an atmosphere of beauty and grace.

Or the scene where the villain is mean.
A dramatic moment where an antagonist is cruel or unscrupulous, compelling the audience to root for the hero's eventual triumph over them.

That's entertainment!
All of these varied examples are examples of entertainment, and represent the vast array of experiences that can captivate us.

The lights on the lady in tights
The illuminated stage emphasizing the beauty and flexibility of a woman in form-fitting clothing, drawing attention to her physical grace.

Or he bride with the guy by her side
A traditional wedding ceremony, complete with a blushing bride and her groom by her side, representing a culmination of romance and commitment.

Or the ball where she gives it her all.
A dance performance where a talented dancer puts all of their skill and passion into a performance, creating a sense of drama and awe for the audience.

The plot can be hot, simply teeming with sex
A story filled with lust and passion, a titillating and exciting concept for an audience looking for a thrill.

A gay divorcee who is after her ex
A former spouse who is pursuing her former partner, with tantalizing romantic tension driving the drama of the story.

It could be Oedipus Rex
The classical Greek tragedy that features a man who accidentally kills his father and marries his mother, referencing the idea of truly dramatic and compelling storytelling.

Where a chap kills his father and causes lots of bother.
Reiterating the idea of Oedipus Rex, where the singer accidentally murders his father and causes horrific devastation as a result.

The clerk who is thrown out of work
A simple and relatable concept of losing one's job, with relatable and understandable stakes that can still create a compelling story.

By the boss who is thrown for a loss
Adding tension to the clerk's story by suggesting that the boss who caused their misfortune is also experiencing their own problems and setbacks, creating an unpredictable dynamic.

By the skirt who is doing him dirt
The suggestion of infidelity within the workplace, leading to further complications and dramatic tension within the story.

The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!
A profound suggestion that life is essentially a performance, with any and all human experiences potentially becoming part of a dramatic and captivating story for someone else's sake.

It might be a fight like you see on the screen
A classic Hollywood-style brawl, incorporating action and excitement, with the added benefit of seeing this sort of thing safely onscreen.

A swain getting slain for the love of a queen
A romanticized fight to the death over the affections of a woman, generating a feeling of chivalry and passion for the audience.

Some great Shakespearean scene
Referencing the works of William Shakespeare, which are classically dramatic and enthralling.

Where a ghost and a prince meet, and everyone ends in mincemeat.
Referencing the tragic final scene of Hamlet where everyone dies, emphasizing the idea of immense drama and sorrow.

The guy who was waving the flag
A patriotic figure, representing a sense of national pride and shared values.

That began with the mystical hand
Indicating the idea that national pride and important moments in history are often accompanied with a sense of spiritual significance and otherworldly influence.

Hip hooray! The American way
A celebratory and enthusiastic slogan, evoking joy and happiness for a sense of shared culture and history.

The world is a stage; the stage is a world of entertainment!
Reiterating the idea that any and all human experiences can be considered entertainment in their own way, with our lives constantly being shaped by ideas and experiences that can captivate and inspire others.