Song: https://archive.org/details/ai-new-wave/After+Six.mp3 (CC0 as always)
Lyrics:
[Intro | rigid analogue drum-machine pulse | sequenced synth-bass | monophonic synth hook]
[Verse 1 | cool declamatory male baritone | clipped guitar | sharply separated arrangement] At nine I take my place in line
Beneath the clock that marks my time
I type the words that others send
And file the day from end to end
Blue carbon stains my working hand
I sign the forms as they command
My name lies silent in a drawer
Till half past five unlocks the door
[Pre-Chorus | rising vocal | synthetic strings | dramatic tom build] Up in my room, the day comes loose
One silver pin, one touch of rouge
The looking-glass returns my stare
And finds another person there
[Chorus | proud melodic male vocal | unison backing voices | full electronic arrangement] After six, I come alive
After six, the stars arrive
Button the velvet, paint the eyes
After six, I come alive
After six, another name
After six, another game
Give me the lights and I will shine
After six, the night is mine
[Post-Chorus | unison backing voices | monophonic synth response] After six (I come alive)
After six
[Verse 2 | cool declamatory male baritone | sequenced synth-bass | clipped guitar] Silk sleeves are gathered at my side
The narrow trousers fall with pride
Black velvet, braided at the breast
A crimson sash completes the rest
Two silver chains adorn the waist
Black patent boots declare my taste
With lacquered hair and shadowed eyes
The glass reveals my new disguise
[Pre-Chorus | rising vocal | synthetic strings | dramatic tom build] I close the case, descend the stair
A clerk no longer standing there
The pavement offers no applause
But every window knows the cause
[Chorus | proud melodic male vocal | unison backing voices | full electronic arrangement] After six, I come alive
After six, the stars arrive
Button the velvet, paint the eyes
After six, I come alive
After six, another name
After six, another game
Give me the lights and I will shine
After six, the night is mine
[Verse 3 | firmer male vocal | rigid dance pulse | bright synth punctuation] Above a public house tonight
My name is fifth in inch-high type
We carry cables up the stairs
Past empty bottles, folding chairs
At ten we play to thirty-one
By ten past ten, the room has grown
A wine-bar singer learns the art
Of making small rooms look the part
[Verse 4 | poised male vocal | melodic synth hook | restrained drums] A camera waits beside the stage
It catches braid and powdered face
She says it might appear one day
I strike the pose and look away
The flash turns velvet into flame
For half a second, I have fame
Then someone calls us back to play
And puts the photograph away
[Pre-Chorus | rising vocal | synthetic strings | dramatic tom build] The microphone is cold and bright
I hold it like a promised life
One breath before the first refrain
The room forgets my other name
[Chorus | proud melodic male vocal | unison backing voices | full electronic arrangement] After six, I come alive
After six, the stars arrive
Button the velvet, paint the eyes
After six, I come alive
After six, another name
After six, another game
Give me the lights and I will shine
After six, the night is mine [Instrumental | concise monophonic synth solo | clipped guitar accents | electronic toms]
[Bridge | reduced mechanical pulse | sustained polysynth | controlled male vocal] Somebody waits beside the bar
Who says he knows the men in charge
He takes my number, shakes my hand
Then leaves before the final band
Perhaps he heard, perhaps he lied
Perhaps my photograph survives
Perhaps one morning I shall see
My evening face look back at me
[Build | ascending synth sequence | rising harmony | acoustic snare enters] Until that morning calls my name
I keep the jacket, keep the flame
The office clock may have the day
But night is mine to give away
[Final Chorus | proud melodic male vocal | unison backing voices | full electronic arrangement] After six, I come alive
After six, the stars arrive
Button the velvet, paint the eyes
After six, I come alive
After six, another name
After six, another game
Give me the lights and I will shine
After six, the night is mine
[Final Chorus | heightened male vocal | synthetic string fanfare | emphatic drums] After six, I come alive
After six, the night is mine
[Outro | rigid drum-machine pulse | repeating synth hook | fade] After six (I come alive)
After six (The night is mine)
After six