Ten Year Contract

[Verse 1]
He signed his name in red
On the back room floor
Said, "Give me a voice
And I’ll beg for more"
The demon smiled
With a cigarette grin
Pushed the paper closer
Said, "Boy, let’s begin"

[Pre-Chorus]
Ten years to rise
Ten years to burn
Every crowd he touched
Made his blood return
One gold dream
And a blacked-out seal
He laughed too hard
At how good it would feel

[Chorus]
Ten years left
Tick, tick, oh
Ten years left
Before the debt comes home
Famous and fast
That was the deal
Ten years left
Then he pays for real (pays for real)

[Verse 2]
He learned every chord
Like a blade learns skin
Played till his fingers
Split right open again
Backstage rooms
And hotel halls
Fans screamed his name
Through the cracked brick walls

The posters rose
Like a fevered tide
But the shadow stayed
Right by his side
In every mirror
In every crowd
That demon whispered
"Don’t look down"

[Pre-Chorus]
Ten years to shine
Ten years to break
Every kiss of fame
Had a bitter taste
He chased that roar
Like a fevered saint
But the clock kept moving
And the ink wouldn’t faint

[Chorus]
Ten years left
Tick, tick, oh
Ten years left
Before the debt comes home
Famous and fast
That was the deal
Ten years left
Then he pays for real (pays for real)

[Bridge]
Now the last tour bus
Is rolling in
He sees that grin
In the rearview again
The contract burns
In the palm of his hand
And the devil says
"Time to collect my man"

[Final Chorus]
Ten years left
Tick, tick, oh
Ten years left
Before the debt comes home
Famous and fast
That was the deal
Ten years left
Then he pays for real (pays for real)
Ten years left
Hear the crowd go wild
Ten years left
For one last stolen mile
He sold his soul
For the perfect thrill
Ten years left
Then he pays for real (pays for real)