FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER FILLER!!!!!
Song does NOT belong to me; it is 'Mean' by Taylor Swift and is FULLY OWNED by her and her people
Singing on stage is incredible.
But singing on stage whilst on a sugar-from-birthday-cake and happiness high is even better.
This newfound happiness of mine gave me a confidence I didn’t know I had, and I was bouncing around the stage, probably looking more like a lunatic than a singer.
“Let’s sing one of my favourite songs!” I cheered, grinning out at the audience. “I wrote this about the people that make me angry. People that don’t listen, because you know what? You’re worth it! And you’re gonna get so much further in life than them, so there!”
This was met with frenzied cheering, so I gestured to Ollie and he obliged, strumming the tune.
“You, with your words like knives
And swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again
Got me feeling like I'm nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard
Calling me out when I'm wounded
You picking on the weaker man”
I switched to the left of the stage from the right.
“You can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know, what you don't know...”
Back to the middle.
“Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?”
I closed my eyes as I sung the chorus, picturing the humiliation I’d felt when I’d written this supposedly lighthearted song.
“You, with your switching sides
And your wildfire lies and your humiliation
You have pointed out my flaws again
As if I don't already see them
I walk with my head down
Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again”
Tonight, I was dressed in denim shorts; a white t-shirt and a black leather vest with black military boots. I stomped them for good effect.
“I bet you got pushed around
Somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now
'Cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know, what you don't know...
Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
And I can see you years from now in a bar
Talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion
But nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
But all you are is mean”
I saw Alison watching me from the wings and I sent her a sly wink.
All you are is mean
And a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean
Alison’s face dropped into a deep scowl and I regretted my actions immediately.
But someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?
I allowed the final line to flow out of my mouth and then stood there, panting, the microphone clutched in my sweaty hand and just gazing out at the audience who were all going wild.
Finally, after what felt like hours, I swallowed hard, bringing the mike to my mouth with a shaky hand.
“Hey guys. Thanks for tonight.” Cheers. “I’m Delilah Cook and Brisbane, you were amazing, thank you for having me.” More cheers.
Maybe they were too excited to hear the lack of excitement in my voice. Maybe they were too far away to see my suddenly blank expression.
“And here’s who you’ve all been waiting for.” I said, my voice loud but not as upbeat as it had been the past few concerts. “Brisbane, here is 5 Seconds of Summer!”
The girls went wild as the boys ran out onto the stage. I hurriedly turned and walked into the wings, turning back only once to reassure Luke with a smile, then hurrying down into my dressing room.
As soon as I entered, I balked.
Jules, Em and Stella were all standing there in tight-fitting black or bright clothes, watching me like I was the prey they were stalking with their arms folded and amused smirks on their faces.
Then I clicked. They were wearing club clothes and they wanted me to be their project.
“No. No. No. No!” I exclaimed, backing away…but they were too quick.
I scowled as Em fixed my hair, Stella did my makeup and Jules rummaged for clothes.
They were all laughing and talking like they were having the time of their lives.
“This isn’t fun!” I protested. They just laughed.
“You’ll thank us later!” Stella promised with a giggle.
I huffed and pouted sulkily, like a two-year-old.
I watched all my friends scurry around.
Stella, who up until now I had seen as the demure and innocent one, was wearing short black shorts with gold studs and a gold peplum top, with little black wedge booties and gold tassel.
Em was wearing the shortest skirt I’d ever seen her wear (barely covering her bum!) and it was in a pale pink. Her shirt was white and flowy and her shoes were standout hot pink high chunky heels.
Jules was dressed all in black (as usual), in black leather pants showing off every perfect curve and a black lace bodice-type shirt with her black hair cascading down her back wildly. Her shoes were dangerous stilettos in neon yellow and her necklace matched.
Jules turned around with a wicked smile, holding out a tiny garment.
“No way in hell.” I said, glaring. But my protests weren’t heeded.
Furiously, I dressed. After glancing in the mirror with a sigh, I concluded it wasn’t too bad.
The dress was white but the straps were a sheer black. The shoes were high black velvet wedges with a strap across my foot. My hair had been straightened and was pulled into a carefully messy ponytail. My makeup was generally quite clean except for the smoky eye.
“Ok.” Jules said, spraying us all with her ‘Sexy Minx’ perfume. “Let’s go clubbing!”