I'll Take the Stairs

Lyrics

[Intro] [Verse 1] The rent went up, the ladder stayed I count my change beneath the shade They say, “Come meet the right old crowd” I’d rather fail than fake that proud [Pre-Chorus] Every door has someone guarding it Every key comes with a handshake I can do the work, I can take the hit But I can’t make myself play nice [Verse 2] A polished smile, a borrowed joke A room of names I’ll soon forget They trade in favors over lunch I keep my hands inside my pockets [Pre-Chorus] Every door has someone guarding it Every key comes with a handshake I can do the work, I can take the hit But I can’t make myself play nice [Chorus] This shit is impossible! Climb one rung, they move the wall I want a life that’s mine to build Not owe my soul to one more call This shit is impossible! I hate the game, I hate the room If getting up means getting close I’ll take the stairs and curse the climb [Verse 3] The form says “network,” the bill says “due” The boss says “trust me,” then cuts two I’ve got the nerve, I’ve got the hands Just not the appetite for glad-hands [Pre-Chorus] Every door has someone guarding it Every key comes with a handshake I can do the work, I can take the hit But I can’t make myself play nice [Chorus] This shit is impossible! Climb one rung, they move the wall I want a life that’s mine to build Not owe my soul to one more call This shit is impossible! I hate the game, I hate the room If getting up means getting close I’ll take the stairs and curse the climb [Guitar Solo] [Bridge] Maybe I’m stubborn, maybe that’s true Maybe I’d rather lose clean than owe you No golden ticket, no secret friend I’ll make my way with the nerve I’ve got left [Breakdown] One more favor! One more grin! One more room I won’t fit in! [Breakdown Reprise] Keep your circles! Keep your rules! I won’t audition to be useful! [Pre-Chorus] Every door has someone guarding it Every key comes with a handshake I can do the work, I can take the hit But I can’t make myself play nice [Double Chorus] This shit is impossible! Climb one rung, they move the wall I want a life that’s mine to build Not owe my soul to one more call This shit is impossible! I hate the game, I hate the room If getting up means getting close I’ll take the stairs and curse the climb This shit is impossible! Climb one rung, they move the wall I want a life that’s mine to build Not owe my soul to one more call This shit is impossible! I hate the game, I hate the room If getting up means getting close I’ll take the stairs and curse the climb [Outro] I’ll take the stairs! I’ll take the stairs!