Thinking of adding this song to the album ending side two
But I am unsure that would be a good idea
A delicate subject
Inspired by the me too movement
What do you think?
Please shoot me an email and let me know how you feel
especially interested in a women’s point of view
I appreciate your candor
I don’t want to spend any more time on this if it is in any way unworthy,
elicits any kind of negativity or is just a plain ol' bad lyric
Thanks, Gary
Casting Couch
There you sit
Across from the front desk
On an old red wooden chair
Great expectations
Excited with possibility
Finally an audience with the man
Hope riding high
You have what he wants
You are talented, beautiful, young,
Articulate and smart
Confident
Perfect for the part
Sitting alone with your thoughts
He makes you wait
Seconds seem like hours
Minutes days
He has a plan
It’s always worked so well
He preys on your dreams
His secretary looks guilty
She looks down
Turning a blind eye
The secrets she could tell
She knows
She needs the job
She’s seen them come and go
Walk in tall
Crawl out small
The loss of innocence
Humiliated
Violated
She lost her smile long ago
She needs the job
The door finally opens
Creaking like some Vincent Price movie
Out steps a man with a cigar
Talking on his cel
He looks middle aged
He towers over you
He ushers you into his lair
With a please come in hand gesture
The inner sanctum
He puts down his cigar
Hangs up and shakes your hand
Slow to let go
Uncomfortable
His politeness is disarming
Still you feel uneasy
He’s setting up for the kill
He offers you a seat
On the infamous couch
More comfortable than a wooden chair
Threadbare
Steeped in history
Time has left its mark
You imagine what it was like
When it was new
He speaks with authority
Years of experience under his belt
He is checking you out
He knows the thrill
Eager to swoop in at will
He wants to know you better
How bad do you want this part
What are you willing to do
How far are you willing to go
You really want this
You’ve been working so hard for so long
You are hungry
Focused
He is undressing you with his eyes
He asks you to do a reading
Wow, you are good he says
Brilliant bravo he applauds
You’re a natural
Unique special
The best I’ve ever seen
Perfect for the part
You are elated
Your dream coming true
You take a bow
You’re gonna go far in this biz
I can tell you that right now he says
But he is greedy and lust consumes him
There is only one thing he wants
Power over you
Total submission
He must have you
You are caught in his web
Of ulterior motives and lies
Taking advantage of your dreams
He comes closer and sits beside you
The couch sags and groans
He puts his left arm on your shoulder
His right hand caressing your leg
He knows just what he wants
And how he wants it
It has worked like a charm
So many times before
You are caught off guard
He reeks of predator
And makes his move
He is all over you
You struggle to break free
You stand straight up
He rises to grab you
You kick him where it counts
Hard
He doubles over and calls you a bitch
You’ll never work in this town again
Now get out
On his knees looking up
You finish with an exclamation point
A parting shot for him to think about
He won’t soon forget you
The secretary got her smile back
If only for a fleeting moment
As she watches you walk out the door
Not this way
Not this girl
Not this day
You keep your dignity
Your head held high
You walk out onto the sidewalk
And breathe deep
Eyes closed you face the sun
A beautiful day in LA
You look over to your right
They are lined up around the block
Cued up for their big break
They’ve worked so hard for long
They are talented, beautiful, young,
Articulate and smart
Confident
Perfect for the part
They are sure they have what it takes
They want to be rich and famous
Stardust in their eyes
They stand there great expectations
Excited with possibility
Finally an audience with the man
Hope riding high
They have what he wants
What are they willing to do
How far are they willing to go
Waiting for their chance
to sit on the casting couch
From the mind of Gary Scott Selness