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Promising Actress Lyrics

in the seconds between the safety unlocks and the shot,
the story is clear of distortions and tears and you’ll know why

we’re on mulholland drive
can you survive a look inside?

like a bomb in reverse, fragments of truth return:
the money’s been paid out, the key’s on the table
you’ve killed someone you used to love

yes I agree now, her story’s a hoax
recorded impulses laid, dubbed and cross faded,
it’s just light replayed

still I ended on mulholland drive
can you survive a look inside?

yes I can see now, they had nothing to do with a role refused
and sometimes a cowboy’s just a man in a cowboy suit
Song Info
Submitted by
ruben On Apr 11, 2004
4 Meanings

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Cover art for Promising Actress lyrics by John Vanderslice

yes, every line is a reference to "mulholland drive," and diehard fans of the movie will appreciate the lyrics much more, but perhaps JV is also using it to describe an event in his life...?

"and sometimes a cowboy is just a man in a cowboy suit" is possibly the best line ever written.

Cover art for Promising Actress lyrics by John Vanderslice

Seems pretty clear he's talking about David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive." The key on the table, "a look inside" (the blue box maybe?), film within a film ("her story's a hoax...it's just light replayed"), and of course, the cowboy. Complicated movie....took me a few viewings to feel like I MIGHT actually understand it...but it's good and the song is great too.

Cover art for Promising Actress lyrics by John Vanderslice

the instrumentals at the beginning of this song have given me chills for years...

Cover art for Promising Actress lyrics by John Vanderslice

The chimes at the start really remind me of Tank Park Salute by Billy Bragg. I wonder if that's deliberate.

 
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