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The painted faces on the street
Caricatures of long ago
Oh they were young and oh-so sweet
Down beyond the boulevard
Knock on doors and empty halls
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade's forever
When you see the price they paid
I'm sure you'll come and join the masquerade
The reeling figures pass on by
Like ghosts in some forgotten play
Beneath the black and empty sky
Music plays and figures dance
With partners chosen by chance
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade's forever
They reached for tomorrow
But tomorrows, more of the same
So they reached for tomorrow
But tomorrow never came
When you hear the price they paid
I'm sure you'll come and join the masquerade
One by one and two by two
Past eight by tens in shattered frames
The players try to leave the room
Frantic puppets on a string
And all the while the music sings
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade's forever
Caricatures of long ago
Oh they were young and oh-so sweet
Down beyond the boulevard
Knock on doors and empty halls
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade's forever
When you see the price they paid
I'm sure you'll come and join the masquerade
The reeling figures pass on by
Like ghosts in some forgotten play
Beneath the black and empty sky
Music plays and figures dance
With partners chosen by chance
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade's forever
They reached for tomorrow
But tomorrows, more of the same
So they reached for tomorrow
But tomorrow never came
When you hear the price they paid
I'm sure you'll come and join the masquerade
One by one and two by two
Past eight by tens in shattered frames
The players try to leave the room
Frantic puppets on a string
And all the while the music sings
And still sometimes remember
The masquerade's forever
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Essentially this is about all the broken hopes and dreams of potential stars that have gone to Hollywood and came away with nothing.... or less. Inspired by the successes of Hollywood, they come seeking their fortune, doing everything they can to get that one role to make them a star. "But tomorrow never comes..." Meaning they never find that one role. Yet more hopeful stars always come in, hence "The masquerade never ends."
Something else I just found out... before she joined Berlin, Terri Nunn was an aspiring actress in Hollywood. She had landed a few minor roles before giving up.
@quamp There's footage of Terri Nunn reading for the part of Princess Leia back in 1975 or 76...can't remember where I saw it, either on a documentary or on a Reissue of the film. It's out there, shouldn't be hard to find.
I've seen the footage; it's on youtube as well. There's also a scene of her playing a pregnant teen as well.
Thank you so much. I have loved this song since it was a "hit" and know all the words, but never knew what they meant. It has always been one of my favorite songs.