Cut the Lights

Black heels tapping on a marble floor

Three quick knocks and I’m through the door

Eyes cut left when the trumpet speaks

Drums stay cool while the tension peaks

Midnight dressed in a tailored shade

Every move like a hand well played

Bass slips under the closing line

I take the corner half behind the time

Cut the lights, I know the way

Leave some space and let me play

One sharp turn, then disappear

Bring it back when the coast is clear

Take that chance, don’t count to four

Change the shape across the floor

Hold it still, then strike again

Let the brass decide just when

Blue smoke curling past the chandelier

Piano drops a phrase nobody hears

Saxophone bends around the beat

While the kick keeps pulling at my feet

No straight road when the night gets good

Turn that corner like you knew you would

Every accent leaves a little scar

Every silence tells you where we are

Cut the lights, I know the way

Leave some space and let me play

One sharp turn, then disappear

Bring it back when the coast is clear

Take that chance, don’t count to four

Change the shape across the floor

Hold it still, then strike again

Let the brass decide just when

Don’t give it all away

Keep one card where nobody sees

Let that snare arrive too late

Then drop the whole room to its knees

Move in close, then leave a trace

Turn the rhythm inside space

Make it sharp, make it strange

Never let it stay the same

Hit that line and cut it clean

Leave a little in between

Brass goes high, bass goes low

Nobody knows where we will go

Move in close, then step aside

Let the drums become the guide

Hold that breath, don’t make a sound

Then bring everything back around

Last hand down, the table shakes

Every risk is ours to take

No straight lines, no safe retreat

Leave the final word beneath the beat