Rent Soundtrack Album Lyrics

[MARK]
December 24th, 9 PM
Eastern Standard Time
From here on in
I shoot without a script

See if anything comes of it
Instead of my old shit

First shot: Roger
Tuning the Fender guitar
He hasn't played in a year

[ROGER]
This won't tune

[MARK]
So we hear
He's just coming back
From half a year of withdrawal

[ROGER]
Are you talking to me?

[MARK]
Not at all

Are you ready? Hold that focus, steady
Tell the folks at home what you're
Doing, Roger...

[ROGER]
I'm writing one great song-

[MARK]
The phone rings!

[ROGER]
Saved!

[MARK]
We screen
Zoom in on the answering machine!

(An actor places a telephone on a chair and we see MARK'S MOM in a special light.)

Speak

That was a very loud beep
I don't even know if this is working
Mark, Mark, are you there?
Are you screening your calls? It's mom
We wanted to call and say we love you
And we'll miss you tomorrow
Cindy and the kids are here, send their love
Oh, I hope you like the hot plate

Just don't leave it on dear
When you leave the house, oh and Mark
We're sorry to hear that Maureen dumped you, I say, 'C'est la vie'
So let her be a lesbian
There are other fishies in the sea
Love Mom

Tell the folks at home what you're doing Roger
I'm writing one great song
The phone rings (Yes!)
We screen (speak)
Chestnuts roasting

(Collins!) I'm downstairs
(Hey!) Roger picked up the phone
(No, it's me) throw down the key
A wild night is now preordained
I may be detained

What does he mean?
What do you mean, detained?
(Ho, ho, ho) Benny, shit

Dudes, I'm on my way
(Great, f*ck) I need the rent
(What rent?) This past year's rent which I let slide
Let slide? You said we were 'Golden'

When you bought the building
When we were roommates
Remember, you lived here?

How could I forget?
You, me, Collins and Maureen
How is the drama Queen?
She's performing tonight

I know, still her production manager?
Two days ago I was bumped
You still dating her?
Last month I was dumped

She's in love
She's got a new man?
(Well, no) what's his name?
Joanne

Rent, my amigos, is due
Or I will have to evict you
Be there in a few

The power blows

How do you document real life
When real life's getting more
Like fiction each day
Headlines, bread-lines
Blow my mind
And now this deadline
"Eviction or pay"
Rent

How do you write a song
When the chords sound wrong
Though they once sounded right and rare
When the notes are sour
Where is the power
You once had to ignite the air

And we're hungry and frozen

Some life that we've chosen

How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rent

We light candles

How do you start a fire
When there's nothing to burn
And it feels like something's stuck
In your flue

How can you generate heat
When you can't feel your feet

And they're turning blue!

You light up a mean blaze

With posters

And screenplays

How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rent

Don't screen, Maureen
It's me Joanne
Your substitute production manager
Hey hey hey! Did you eat?
Don't change the subject Maureen
But darling! You haven't eaten all day

You won't throw up
You won't throw up
The digital delay
Didn't blow up, exactly
There may have been one teeny tiny spark
You're not calling Mark!

How do you stay on your feet
When on every street
It's 'trick or treat'
And tonight its 'trick'
'Welcome back to town'
I should lie down
Everything's brown
And uh-oh
I feel sick

Where is he?

Getting dizzy

How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
How we gonna pay
Last year's rent

Allison, baby you sound sad
I don't believe those two
After everything I've done

Ever since our wedding
I'm dirt, they'll see
I can help them all out in the long run

"The music ignites the night with
Passionate fire"

Maureen, I'm not a theatre person

The narration crackles and pops with
Incendiary wit

Could never be a theatre person

Zoom in as they burn the past to the ground

And feel the heat of the future's glow

(Hello?) Hello? Maureen?
Your equipment won't work?
Okay, all right, I'll go!

How do you leave the past behind
When it keep finding ways to get to your heart
It reaches way down deep and tears you inside out
'Til you're torn apart
Rent

How can you connect in an age
Where strangers, landlords, lovers
Your own blood cells betray

What binds the fabric together
When the raging, shifting winds of change
Keep ripping away

Draw a line in the sand
And then make the stand

Use your camera to spar

Use your guitar

When they act tough
You call their bluff

We're not gonna pay

We're not gonna pay
We're not gonna pay

Last year's rent
This year's rent
Next year's rent

Rent rent rent rent rent
We're not gonna pay rent

'Cause everything is rent

[HOMELESS MAN]
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Somewhere else - not here

[ANGEL]
You okay, honey?

[COLLINS]
I'm afraid so

[ANGEL]
They get any money?

[COLLINS]
No
Had none to get -
But they purloined my coat -
Well you missed a sleeve! - Thanks

[ANGEL]
Hell, it's Christmas eve
I'm Angel

[COLLINS]
Angel..? Indeed
An angel of the first degree
Friends call me Collins - Tom Collins
Nice tree ...

[ANGEL]
Let's get a band-aid for your knee
I'll change, there's a "Life Support" meeting at nine-thirty
Yes - this body provides a comfortable home
For the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

[COLLINS]
As does mine

[ANGEL]
Well, we'll get along fine
Get you a coat, have a bite
Make a night - I'm flush

[COLLINS]
My friends are waiting --

[ANGEL]
You're cute when you blush
The more the merry - ho ho ho
And I do not take no

[MARK]
I don't suppose you'd like to see Maureen's show in the lot tonight? Or come to dinner?

[ROGER]
Zoom in on my empty wallet

[MARK]
Touche. Take your AZT

[MARK]
Close on Roger
His girlfriend April
Left a note saying "We've got AIDS"
Before slitting her wrists in the bathroom

I'll check on you later. Change your mind. You have to get out of the house

One song
Glory
One song
Before I go
Glory
One song to leave behind
Find one song
One last refrain
Glory
From the pretty boy front man
Who wasted opportunity
One song
He had the world at his feet
Glory
In the eyes of a young girl
A young girl
Find glory
Beyond the cheap colored lights
One song
Before the sun sets
Glory -- on another empty life
Time flies -- time dies
Glory -- One blaze of glory
One blaze of glory -- glory
Find
Glory
In a song that rings true
Truth like a blazing fire
An eternal flame
Find
One song
A song about love
Glory
From the soul of a young man
A young man
Find
The one song
Before the virus takes hold
Glory
Like a sunset
One song
To redeem this empty life
Time flies
And then - no need to endure anymore
Time dies
(ROGER is interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. It is MIMI MARQUEZ, a beautiful stranger from downstairs.)
The door

What'd you forget?
Got a light?
I know you
You're the shivering

It's nothing
They turned off my heat
And I'm just a little
Weak on my feet
Would you light my candle?
What are you staring at?

Nothing
Your hair in the moonlight
You look familiar
Can you make it?

Just haven't eaten much today
At least the room stopped spinning
Anyway, what?

Nothing
Your smile reminded me of
I always remind people of
Who is she?
She died
Her name was April

It's out again
Sorry 'bout your friend
Would you light my candle?

Well
Yeah? Ow!
Oh, the wax, it's
Dripping! I like it, between my
Fingers, I figured
Oh, well, goodnight

It blew out again?
No, I think that I dropped my stash
I know I've seen you out and about
When I used to go out
Your candle's out

I'm illin'
I had it when I walked in the door
It was pure
Is it on the floor?
The floor?

They say that I have the best ass
Below 14th Street
Is it true?
What?
You're staring again
Oh no, I mean you do have a nice

I mean, you look familiar
Like your dead girlfriend
Only when you smile
But I'm sure I've seen you somewhere else

Do you go to the Cat Scratch Club?
That's where I work, I dance
Help me look (Yes!)
They used to tie you up
It's a living

I didn't recognize you
Without the handcuffs
We could light the candle
Oh won't you light the candle?

Why don't you forget that stuff?
You look like you're sixteen
I'm nineteen, but I'm old for my age
I'm just born to be bad

I once was born to be bad
I used to shiver like that
I have no heat, I told you

I used to sweat
I got a cold
Uh huh, I used to be a junkie
But now and then I like to
Uh huh (feel good)

Oh here it (what's that?)
It's a candy bar wrapper

We could light the candle
Oh what'd you do with my candle?

That was my last match
Our eyes'll adjust
Thank God for the moon

Maybe it's not the moon at all
I hear Spike Lee's shooting down the street

Bah humbug, bah humbug

Cold hands
Yours too
Big, like my father's
Do you wanna dance?

With you?
No, with my father
I'm Roger
They call me
They call me Mimi

[MR. JEFFERSON]
Well, Joanne - We're off
I tried you at the office
And they said you're stage managing or something

[MRS. JEFFERSON]
Remind her that those unwed mothers in Harlem
Need her legal help too

[MR. JEFFERSON]
Call Daisy for our itinerary or Alfred at Pound Ridge
Or Eileen at the state department in a pinch
We'll be at the spa for new year's
Unless the senator changes his mind

[MRS. JEFFERSON]
The hearings

[MR. JEFFERSON]
Oh yes - Kitten
Mummy's confirmation hearing begins on the tenth
We'll need you - alone - by the sixth

[MRS. JEFFERSON]
Harold!

[MR. JEFFERSON]
You hear that?
It's three weeks away
And she's already nervous

[MRS. JEFFERSON]
I am not!

[MR. JEFFERSON]
For Mummy's sake, Kitten
No Doc Martens this time and wear a dress
Oh, and Kitten - have a merry...

[MRS. JEFFERSON]
And a bra!!

Gentlemen, our benefactor on this Christmas day
Whose charity is only matched by talent I must say
A new member of the Alphabet City avant-garde
Angel Dumott Schunard

Today 4 you
Tomorrow for me

Today 4 you
Tomorrow for me

And you should hear her beat

You earned this on the street?

It was my lucky day today
On Avenue A
When a lady in a limousine
Drove my way
She said "Darling be a dear
Haven't slept in a year
I need your help
To make my neighbor's yappy dog disappear"
"This Akita, Evita, just won't shut up
I believe if you play nonstop that pup
Will breathe its very last
High strung breath
I'm certain that cur
Will bark itself to death"

Today 4 you
Tomorrow for me

Today 4 you
Tomorrow for me

We agreed on a fee
A $1000 guarantee
Tax free
And a bonus
If I trim her tree
Now who could foretell
That it would go so well
But sure as I am here
That dog is now in doggy hell
After an hour
Evita in all her glory
On the window ledge
Of that 23rd story
Like Thelma and Louise did
When they got the blues
Swan dove into
The courtyard of the Gracie Mews

Today 4 you
Tomorrow for me

Today 4 you
Tomorrow for me

Back on the street
Where I met my sweet
Where he was moaning and groaning
On the cold concrete
The nurse took him home
For some Mercurochrome
And I dressed his wounds
And got him back on his feet
Sing it!
Today 4 you
Tomorrow 4 me
Today 4 you
Tomorrow 4 me
I said today 4 you
Tomorrow 4 me
Today 4 you
Tomorrow 4 me

Hey you bum, yeah, you, move over
Get your ass off that Range over

That attitude toward the homeless is exactly what Maureen is protesting tonight

Maureen is protesting
Losing her performance space

Not my attitude

What happened to Benny
What happened to his heart
And the ideals he once pursued

And the owner of that lot next door
Has a right to do with it as he pleases

Happy birthday, Jesus!

The rent

You're wasting your time

We're broke

And you broke your word, this is absurd

There is one way you won't have to pay

I knew it

Next door, the home of Cyberarts, you see
And now that the block is re-zoned
Our dream can become a reality
You'll see, boys
You'll see, boys
A state of the art, digital, virtual interactive studio
I'll forego your rent and on paper guarantee
That you can stay here for free
If you do me one small favor

What?

Convince Maureen to cancel her protest

Why not just get an injunction or call the cops?

I did, and they're on stand by
But my investors would rather
I handle this quietly

You can't quietly wipe out an entire tent city
Then watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' on TV!

You want to produce films and write songs?
You need somewhere to do it!
It's what we used to dream about
Think twice before you pooh-pooh it
You'll see, boys
You'll see, boys
You'll see, the beauty of a studio
That lets us do our work and get paid
With condos on the top
Whose rent keeps open our shop
Just stop the protest
And you'll have it made
You'll see, or you'll pack

That boy could use some Prozac

Or heavy drugs

Or group hugs

Which reminds me
We have a detour to make tonight
Anyone who wants to can come along

Life support's a group for people coping with life
You don't have to stay too long

First I've got a protest to save

Roger?

I'm not much company you'll find

Behave!

He'll catch up later, he's just go other things on his mind
You'll see boys

We'll see boys

Let it be boys

I like boys

Boys like me

We'll see

[MARK]
Feel like going insane
Got a fire in your brain
And you're thinking of drinking gasoline

[JOANNE]
As a matter of fact

[MARK]
Honey, I know this act
It's called the Tango: Maureen

The Tango: Maureen
It's a dark, dizzy, merry go round
As she keeps you dangling (you're wrong)
Your heart she is mangling (it's different with me)
And you toss and you turn cause her cold eyes can burn
Yet you yearn and you churn and rebound

[JOANNE]
I think I know what you mean

[BOTH]
The Tango: Maureen

[MARK]
Has she ever pouted her lips and called you "Pookie?"
[JOANNE]
Never

[MARK]
Have you ever doubted a kiss or two?

[JOANNE]
This is spooky

Did you swoon when she walked through the door?

[MARK]
Every time, so be....cautious

[JOANNE]
Did she moon over other boys?

[MARK]
More than moon

[JOANNE]
I'm getting nauseous

[MARK]
Where'd you learn to tango?

[JOANNE]
With the French ambassador's daughter in her dorm room at Ms. Porters
And you?

[MARK]
With Nanette Himmelfarb, the rabbi's daughter at the Scarsdale Jewish community center
It's hard to do this backwards

[JOANNE]
You should try it in heels

[JOANNE]
She cheated

[MARK]
She cheated

[JOANNE]
Maureen cheated

[MARK]
F*cking cheated

[JOANNE]
I'm defeated, I should give up right now

[MARK]
Gotta look on the bright side with all of your might

[JOANNE]
I'd fall for her still anyhow

[BOTH]
When you're dancing her dance
You don't stand a chance
Her grip of romance makes you fall

[MARK]
So you think might as well

[JOANNE]
Dance a tango to hell

[BOTH]
At least I'll have tangoed at all

The Tango: Maureen
Gotta dance 'til your diva is through
You pretend to believe her
Cause in the end you can't leave her
But the end it will come
Still you have to play dumb
'Til you're glum and you bum and turn blue

[MARK]
Why do we love when she's mean

[JOANNE]
And she can be so obscene

[MARK, spoken]
Try the mic

[JOANNE, spoken]
My Maureen

[MARK, spoken]
Patched!

[JOANNE, spoken]
Thanks!

[MARK, spoken]
You know, I feel great now!

[JOANNE, spoken]
I feel lousy

[BOTH]
The Tango: Maureen

[STEVE]
Steve

[GORDON]
Gordon

[ALI]
Ali

[PAM]
Pam

[SUE]
Sue

[ANGEL]
Hi, I'm Angel

[COLLINS]
Tom. Collins

[PAUL]
I'm Paul. Let's begin

[ALL]
There's only us
There's only this ...

[MARK]
Sorry ... Excuse me ... oops

[PAUL]
And you are?

[MARK]
Oh -- I'm not --
I'm just here to --
I don't have --
I'm here with --
Um -- Mark
Mark -- I'm Mark
Well -- this is quite an operation

[PAUL]
Sit down Mark
We'll continue the affirmation

[ALL]
Forget regret or life is yours to miss

[GORDON]
Excuse me Paul -- I'm having a problem with this
This credo -- My T-cells are low --
I regret that news, okay?

[PAUL]
Alright
But Gordon - How do you feel today?

[GORDON]
What do you mean?

[PAUL]
How do you feel today?

[GORDON]
Okay

[PAUL]
Is that all?

[GORDON]
Best I've felt all year

[PAUL]
Then why choose fear?

[GORDON]
I'm a New Yorker!
Fear's my life!
Look - I find some of what you teach suspect
Because I'm used to relying on intellect
But I try to open up to what I don't know

[GORDON & ROGER]
Because reason says I should have died
Three years ago

[ALL]
No other road
No other way
No day but today

[MIMI]
What's the time?
Well it's gotta be close to midnight
My body's talking to me
It says, "Time for danger"
It says "I wanna commit a crime
Wanna be the cause of a fight
Wanna put on a tight skirt and flirt
With a stranger
I've had a knack from way back
At breaking the rules once I learn the games
Get up - life's too quick
I know someplace sick
Where this chick'll dance in the flames
We don't need any money
I always get in for free
You can get in too
If you get in with me

Let's go out tonight
I have to go out tonight
You wanna play?
Let's run away
We won't be back before it's Christmas day
Take me out tonight... meow!

When I get a wink from the doorman
Do you know how lucky you'll be?
That you're on line with the feline of Avenue B

Let's go out tonight
I have to go out tonight
You wanna prowl
Be my night owl?
Well take my hand we're gonna howl
Out tonight

In the evening I've got to roam
Can't sleep in the city of neon and chrome
Feels too damn much like home
When the Spanish babies cry
So let's find a bar
So dark we forget who we are
And all the scars from the
Nevers and maybes die

Let's go out tonight
Have to go out tonight
You're sweet
Wanna hit the street?
Wanna wail at the moon like a cat in heat?
Just take me out tonight

(MIMI makes her way to ROGER's door and ends the song in front of him.)

Please take me out tonight
Don't forsake me - out tonight
I'll let you make me - out tonight
Tonight - tonight - tonight

Who do you think you are?
Barging in on me and my guitar
Little girl, hey
The door is that way

You better go you know
The fire's out anyway
Take your powder, take your candle
Your sweet whisper, I just can't handle

Well, take your hair in the moonlight
Your brown eyes, goodbye, goodnight
I should tell you, I should tell you
I should tell you, I should, no

Another time, another place
Out temperature would climb
There'd be a long embrace
We'd do another dance

It'd be another play
Looking for romance
Come back another day
Another day

The heart may freeze or it can burn
The pain will ease if I can learn
There is no future, there is no past
I live this moment as my last

There's only us, there's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss
No other road, no other way
No day but today

Excuse me if I'm off track
But if you're so wise
Then tell me
Why do you need smack?

Take your needle
Take your fancy prayer
And don't forget
Get the moonlight out of your hair

Long ago you might've lit up my heart
But the fire's dead, ain't never ever gonna start

Another time, another place
The words would only rhyme
We'd be in outer space
It'd be another song

We'd sing another way
You wanna prove me wrong?
Come back another day
Another day

There's only yes
Only tonight we must let go
To know what's right
No other course, no other way
No day but today

I can't control (Control your temper)
My destiny (She doesn't see)
I trust my soul (Who says that there's a soul)
My only goal
Is just to be (Just let me be)
There's only now (Who do you think you are)
There's only here
Give into love (Barging in on me)
Or live in fear (And my guitar)
No other past (Little girl hey)
No other way (The door is that way)

No day but today (The fires out anyway)
No day but today (Take your powder)
(Take your candle)
No day but today
(Take your brown eyes, your pretty smile, your silhouette)
No day but today
(Another time, another place, another rhyme, a warm embrace)
No day but today
(Another dance, another way, another chance, another day)
No day but today

[Steve]
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?

[All]
Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?

Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?

Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?

Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?

Will I lose my dignity?
Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow
From this nightmare?

[THREE HOMELESS PEOPLE]
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Out of town
Santa Fe

[SQUEEGEEMAN]
Honest living, man
Feliz Navidad

[HOMELESS PERSON]
Evening, officers

[MARK]
Smile for Ted Koppel, Officer Martin

[HOMELESS PERSON]
And a Merry Christmas to your family

[POLICE OFFICERS]
Right

[BLANKET PERSON]
Who the f*ck do you think you are?
I don't need no goddamn help
From some bleeding heart cameraman
My life's not for you to
Make a name for yourself on

[ANGEL]
Easy, sugar, easy
He was just trying to-

[BLANKET PERSON]
Just trying to use me to kill his guilt
It's not that kind of movie, honey
Let's go this lot is full of
Motherf*cking artists

Hey artist
You gotta dollar?
I thought not

[ANGEL]
New York City-

[MARK]
Uh huh

[ANGEL]
Center of the universe

[COLLINS]
Sing it, girl-

[ANGEL]
Times are shitty
But I'm pretty sure they can't get worse

[MARK]
I hear that

[ANGEL]
It's a comfort to know
When you're singing the hit the road blues
That anywhere else you could possibly go
After New York would be a pleasure cruise

[COLLINS]
Now you're talking

Well, I'm thwarted by a metaphysic puzzle
And I'm sick of grading papers that I know
And I'm shouting in my sleep, I need a muzzle
All this misery pays no salary, so
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Oh, sunny Santa Fe would be nice
We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
And leave this to the roaches and mice

Oh--Oh

[ALL]
Oh--

[ANGEL]
You teach?

[COLLINS]
Yeah, I teach. Computer age philosophy
While my students would rather watch TV

[ANGEL]
America

[ALL]
America!

Well, I'm thwarted by a metaphysic puzzle
And I'm sick of grading papers that I know
And I'm shouting in my sleep, I need a muzzle
All this misery pays no salary, so
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Oh, sunny Santa Fe would be nice
We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
And leave this to the roaches and mice

Oh--Oh

[ALL]
Oh--

[ANGEL]
You teach?

[COLLINS]
Yeah, I teach. Computer age philosophy
While my students would rather watch TV

[ANGEL]
America

[ALL]
America!
[COLLINS]
You're a sensitive aesthete
Brush the sauce onto the meat
You could make the menu sparkle with a rhyme
You could drum a gentle drum
I could seat guests as they come
Chatting not about Heidegger, but wine!

Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Our labors would reap financial gain

[ALL]
Gain, gain, gain

[COLLINS]
We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
And save from devastation our brains

[HOMELESS]
Save our brains

[ALL]
We'll pack up all our junk
And fly so far away
Devote ourselves to projects that sell
We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Forget this cold Bohemian hell
Oh--
Oh--

Well, I'm thwarted by a metaphysic puzzle
And I'm sick of grading papers that I know
And I'm shouting in my sleep, I need a muzzle
All this misery pays no salary, so
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Oh, sunny Santa Fe would be nice
We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
And leave this to the roaches and mice

Oh--Oh

[ALL]
Oh--

[ANGEL]
You teach?

[COLLINS]
Yeah, I teach. Computer age philosophy
While my students would rather watch TV

[ANGEL]
America

[ALL]
America!
[COLLINS]
You're a sensitive aesthete
Brush the sauce onto the meat
You could make the menu sparkle with a rhyme
You could drum a gentle drum
I could seat guests as they come
Chatting not about Heidegger, but wine!

Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Our labors would reap financial gain

[ALL]
Gain, gain, gain

[COLLINS]
We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
And save from devastation our brains

[HOMELESS]
Save our brains

[ALL]
We'll pack up all our junk
And fly so far away
Devote ourselves to projects that sell
We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Forget this cold Bohemian hell
Oh--
Oh--

[COLLINS]
Do you know the way to Santa Fe?
You know, tumbleweeds... prairie dogs...

[ALL]
Yeah

Live in my house
I'll be your shelter
Just pay me back
With one thousand kisses
Be my lover
And I'll cover you

Open your door
I'll be your tenant
Don't got much baggage to lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
I'll be there and I'll cover you

I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease, you are my love
On life, be my life

Just slip me on
I'll be your blanket
Wherever, whatever
I'll be your coat

You'll be my king
And I'll be your castle

No, you'll be my queen
And I'll be your moat

I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease, you are my love
On life, all my life

I've longed to discover
Something as true as this is

So, with a thousand sweet kisses

If you're cold and you're lonely

I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses

You've got one nickel only

I'll cover you

With a thousand sweet kisses

When you're worn out and tired

I'll cover you
With a thousand sweet kisses

When your heart has expired

I'll cover you

Oh, lover
I'll cover you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, lover
I'll cover you

[JOANNE]
Steve? Joanne
The Murget case?
A dismissal!
Good work counselor

[The pay phone rings]

We're okay
Honeybear - wait!
I'm on the other phone
Yes, I have the cowbell
We're okay

So tell them we'll sue
But a settlement will do
Sexual harassment -- and civil rights, too
Steve, you're great

No, you cut the paper plate
Didja cheat on Mark a lot, would you say?
We're okay
Honey, hold on...

Steve, hold on...

[She presses call waiting button on cellular phone]
Hello?
Dad, yes
I beeped you
Maureen is coming to Mother's hearing
We're okay

Honeybear - what?
Newt's lesbian sister?
I'll tell him

You heard?

They heard
We're okay

And to you, Dad

[She presses call waiting as she says into pay phone]
Yes -- Jill is there?

Steve, gotta -

Jill with the short black hair?
The Calvin Klein model?

Steve, gotta go!

The model who lives in Penthouse A???
We're
We're okay

I'm on my way

[FIVE HOMELESS PEOPLE]
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are singing
On TV - at SAKS

[SQUEEGEE MAN]
Honest living, honest living
Honest living, honest living

[FIVE HOMELESS PEOPLE, SQUEEGEE MAN]
Can't you spare a dime or two?
Honest living, honest living
Honest living, honest living
Here but for the grace of God go you
Honest living, honest living
Honest living, honest living

[FIVE HOMELESS PEOPLE]
You'll be merry
I'll be merry
Though merry ain't in my vocabulary

No sleigh bells
No Santa Claus
No yule log
No tinsel
No holly
No hearth
No-

[SOLOIST]
"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

[FIVE HOMELESS PEOPLE]
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

No room at the Holiday Inn - oh no
And it's beginning to snow

[VENDORS]
Hats, Bats, Shoes, Booze
Mountain bikes, Potpourri
Leather bags, Girlie mags
Forty-fives, AZT

[VENDOR #1]
No one's buying
Feel like crying

[ALL]
No room at the Holiday Inn - oh no
And it's beginning to snow

[MARK, ROGER]
...She said, "Would you light my candle"
And she put on a pout
And she wanted you
To take her out tonight?

Right
She got you out!

She was more than okay
But I pushed her away
It was bad, I got mad
And I had to get her out of my sight

Wait, wait, wait - you said she was sweet
Let's go eat
I'll just get fat
It's the one vice left when you're dead meat

There! That's her!

Maureen?
Mimi!
Woah!
I should go

[MARK & ROGER]
Hey, it's beginning to snow

[COPS]
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

[MIMI & JUNKIES]
Follow the man, follow the man
With his pockets full of the jam
Follow the man, follow the man
Help me out, Daddy, if you can

[MIMI & JUNKIES, THE MAN]
Got any D, man?
I'm cool
Got any C, man?
I'm cool
Got any X?
Any smack?
Any horse?
Any joogie boogie boy?
Any blow?

[ROGER, MIMI]
Hey...

Hey...

I just want to say
I'm sorry for the way-
Forget it
I blew up

Can I make it up to you?
How?
Dinner party?
That'll do

[THE MAN]
Hey lover boy, cutie pie
You steal my client, you die

[ROGER]
You didn't miss me, you won't miss her
You'll never lack for customers

[JUNKIES]
I'm willin'
I'm illin'
I gotta get my sickness off

Gotta run, gotta ride
Gotta gun, gotta hide, gotta go

[THE MAN]
And it's beginning to snow

[BENNY, spoken]
Wish me luck, Alison, the protest is on

[All-Skate pt. 1]

[JUNKIES]
Got any C, man?

[COAT VENDOR]
L.L. Bean, Geoffrey Beene
Burberry zip-out lining

[JUNKIES]
Got any D, man?

[SQUEEGEEMAN]
Honest living-

[ROGER, MARK & MIMI]
Mark, this is Mimi
Hi
She'll be dining with us

[JUNKIES]
Got any B, man?

[COAT VENDOR]
Here's a new arrival

[THE MAN]
That is an ounce

[VENDORS]
Hats, dats, bats

[JUNKIES]
Got any crack?

[COLLINS]
That's my coat!

[JUNKIES]
Got any X?

[COAT VENDOR]
We give discounts

[JUNKIES]
Got any C, man?

[MARK]
I think we've met

[ANGEL]
Let's get a better one

[COLLINS]
It's a sham

[JUNKIES]
Got any D, man?

[MIMI]
That's what he said

[THE MAN]
I said it's a gram!

[COLLINS]
But she's a thief!

[JUNKIES]
Got any B, man?

[ANGEL]
But she brought us together

[BENNY]
Which investor's coming?

[JUNKIES]
Got any crack?

[COLLINS]
I'll take the leather

[JUNKIES]
Got any X?

[BENNY]
Your father?- Damn!

[All-Skate pt. 2]

[JUNKIES]
Got any C, man?
Got any D, man?
Got any B, man?
Got any X?
Crack?

I'm willin'
I'm illin'
Gotta get my sickness off
C-D help me
Follow the man, follow the man
Follow the man
Jugie boogie, jugie boogie

Follow the man, follow the man
Any crack, any X, any jugie boogie boy
Any blow, any X, any jugie boogie boy
Got any D, man? Got any C, man?
Got any crack, any X, any jugie boogie?

[POLICE OFFICERS]
I'm dreaming of a right Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know

Jingle bells
Prison cells

Fal la la la la
Fa la la la la
You have the right to remain
Silent night
Holy night

Fall on your knees
Oh night divine
You'll do some time
Fa la la la la
Fa la la la la

[HOMELESS AND VENDORS]
Christmas bells are swinging
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are singing
In my dreams
Next year

Once you donate you can go
Celebrate in Tuckahoe
You'll feel cherry
I'll feel cheery
Tho' I don't really know that theory

No bathrobe
No steuben glass
No cappuccino maker
No pearls
No diamonds
No "chestnuts roasting on an open fire"
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

No room at the Holiday Inn, oh no-

[COAT VENDOR, ANGEL, BOTH, COLLINS]
Twenty-five
Fifteen
Twenty-five
Fifteen
Twenty-five
Fifteen
No way, twenty-four
Fifteen
Twenty-four
Fifteen
Twenty-four
Fifteen
Not today, twenty-three
Fifteen
Twenty-three
Fifteen
Twenty-three
Fifteen, it's old
Twenty-two
Fifteen
Twenty-two
Fifteen
Seventeen
Fifteen
Fifteen
Sold!

Give, give
All you do
Is give
Give me some way
To show
How you've touched me so

[MARK & ROGER, MARK, MIMI, ROGER]
Let's go
To the lot
Maureen's performing

Who's Maureen?
His ex

But I am
Over her

[MIMI & ROGER]
I should tell you
I should tell you

[ROGER]
Let's not
Hold hands yet

[MIMI]
Is that a warning?

[ROGER, MIMI, MARK, ALL THREE]
I just need
You just need
He just needs
To take it slow
I should tell you I should tell you
I should tell you I should tell you
I should tell you I-

[ALL]
And it's beginning to
And it's beginning to
And it's beginning to...

[MAUREEN, spoken]
Joanne, which way to the stage!?

[ALL EXCEPT MAUREEN]
Snow!!!

Last night, I had a dream
I found myself in a desert called Cyberland
It was hot
My canteen had sprung a leak and I was thirsty
Out of the obice walked a cow, Elsey
I asked if she had anything to drink she said
Only thing to do is just over the moon
They've closed everything real down
Like barns and trophs and...
Preformin' Spaces
And replaced it all with lies and rules and
Virtual Life... But there is a way out

Ooohhh
Only thing to do is jump over the moon

I gotta get outta here
It's like I'm being tied to the hood of
A yellow rental truck being packed in with fertilizer and fuel oil pushed over a cliff by a suicidal
Mickey mouse
I gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta find a way... to jump over the moon
Only thing to do is jump over the moon
Then a little bulldog entered
His name we have learned was Benny
And although he once had principles he abonded to live as a lapdog to a wealthy daughter of the
Revolution
1..2..3
That's bull he said
Ever since the cow took off with the fiddle that cows been jumpy
And the dish and the spoon were evicted from the table and elopped
And she had trouble with the milk and the mood ever since maybe it was a female thing
But who'd wanna leave cyberland anyways!
Bulls ain't so bad
The dish and the spoon for instance their down on their luck they come knockin' on my doghouse door
And i said "Not in my backward utensils, go back to china!" (bideebong)
The only way out is up, elsey whispered to me
A leap of faith
Still Thirsty?? Parched
Have some milk
As i lowered myself beneath her and held my mouth to her swollen utters and sucked the sweetest milk
I have ever tasted!
Climb on board she said and as a harvest moon rose over cyberland we reared back we sprang into a
Gallop leaping out of orbit i awoke singing
Ooooh
Only thing to do
Only think to do is jump
Only thing to do is jump Over the moon
Only thing to do is jump Over the moon
Over the moon
Over the ...

[WAITER]
No, please no
Not tonight, please no
Mister, can't you go?
Not tonight, can't have a scene

[ROGER]
What?

[WAITER]
Go, please go
You, hello, sir!
I said no
Important customer

[MARK]
What am I, just a blur?

[WAITER]
You sit all night, you never buy!

[MARK]
That's a lie, that's a lie!
I had a tea the other day

[WAITER]

You couldn't pay

[MARK, spoken]
Oh yeah...

[COLLINS]
Benjamin Coffin III? Here?

[WAITER]
Oh no!

[ALL]
Wine and beer!

[MAUREEN]
The enemy of Avenue A
We'll stay

[WAITER]
Oy vey!

[COLLINS]
What brings the mogul in his own mind
To the Life Cafe?

[BENNY]
I would like to propose a toast
To Maureen's noble try
It went well
[MAUREEN]
Go to Hell

[BENNY]
Was the yuppie scum stomped?
Not counting the homeless
How many tickets weren't comped?

[ROGER]
Why did Muffy-

[BENNY]
Alison

[ROGER]
-miss the show?

[BENNY]
There was a death in the family
If you must know

[ANGEL]
Who died?

[BENNY]
Our Akita
[BENNY, MARK, ANGEL, COLLINS]
Evita

[BENNY]
Mimi, I'm surprised
A bright and charming girl like you
Hangs out with these slackers
Who don't adhere to deals
They make fun, yet I'm the one
Attempting to do some good
Or do you really want a neighborhood
Where people piss on your stoop every night?
Bohemia, Bohemia's a fallacy in your head
This is Calcutta
Bohemia is dead

[MARK]
Dearly beloved
We gather here to say our goodbyes

[COLLINS & ROGER]
Dies irae, dies illa
Kyrie eleison
Yitgadal veyitkadash

[MARK]
Here she lies, no one knew her worth
The late great daughter of Mother Earth
On this night when we celebrate the birth
In that little town of Bethlehem
We raise our glass, you bet your ass, to
La vie Bohème

[ALL]
La vie Bohème
La vie Bohème
La vie Bohème
La vie Bohème

[MARK]
To days of inspiration
Playing hooky
Making something out of nothing
The need to express
To communicate
To going against the grain
Going insane
Going mad

To loving tension, no pension
To more than one dimension
To starving for attention
Hating convention
Hating pretension
Not to mention, of course
Hating dear old Mom and Dad

To riding your bike
Midday past the three-piece suits
To fruits
To no absolutes
To Absolut
To choice
To The Village Voice
To any passing fad

To being an us, for once
Instead of a them

[ALL]
La vie Bohème
La vie Bohème

[MAUREEN]
Is the equipment in a pyramid?

[JOANNE]
It is, Maureen

[MAUREEN]
The mixer doesn't have a case

Don't give me that face

[MR. GREY]
Ahem

[MAUREEN]
Hey, Mister
She's my sister

[WAITER]
So that's five miso soup
Four seaweed salad
Three soy burger dinner
Two tofu dog platter
And one pasta with meatless balls

[A BOY]
Ew

[COLLINS]
It tastes the same

[MIMI]
If you close your eyes

[WAITER]
And thirteen orders of fries
Is that it here?

[ALL]
Wine and beer!

[MIMI & ANGEL]
To hand-crafted beers made in local breweries
To yoga, to yogurt, to rice and beans and cheese
To leather, to dildos, to curry vindaloo
To huevos rancheros and Maya Angelou

[MAUREEN & COLLINS]
Emotion, devotion, to causing a commotion
Creation, vacation

[MARK]
Mucho masturbation

[MAUREEN & COLLINS]
Compassion, to fashion, to passion
When it's new

[COLLINS]
To Sontag

[ANGEL]
To Sondheim

[FOUR PEOPLE]
To anything taboo

[COLLINS & ROGER]
Ginsberg, Dylan, Cunningham, and Cage

[COLLINS]
Lenny Bruce

[ROGER]
Langston Hughes

[MAUREEN]
To the stage

[PERSON #1]
To Uta

[COLLINS]
To Buddha

[PERSON #4]
Pablo Neruda, too

[MARK & MIMI]
Why Dorothy and Toto went over the rainbow
To blow off Auntie Em

[ALL]
La vie Bohème

[MAUREEN]
And wipe the speakers off before you pack

[JOANNE]
Yes, Maureen

[MAUREEN]
Well, hurry back

(they kiss)

[MR. GREY]
Sisters?

[MAUREEN]
We're close

(MAUREEN and JOANNE move to the side to reveal ANGEL and COLLINS kissing)

[ANGEL, COLLINS, MARK, MR. GREY]
Brothers!

[MARK, ANGEL, MIMI & THREE OTHERS]
Bisexuals, trisexuals, homo sapiens
Carcinogens, hallucinogens, men
Pee-wee Herman
German wine, turpentine, Gertrude Stein
Antonioni, Bertolucci, Kurosawa
Carmina Burana

[ALL]
To apathy, to entropy, to empathy, ecstasy
Vaclav Havel, The Sex Pistols, 8BC
To no shame, never playing the Fame Game

[COLLINS]
To marijuana

[ALL]
To sodomy
It's between God and me
To S & M

[BENNY]
Waiter... Waiter... Waiter!

[ALL]
La vie Bohème

[COLLINS, spoken]
In honor of the death of bohemia, an impromtu salon will commence immediately following dinner. Mimi Marquez, clad only in bubble wrap will perform her famous lawn chair-handcuff dance to the sounds of iced tea being stirred

[ROGER, spoken]
And Mark Cohen will preview his new documentary about his inability to hold an erection on high holy days

[MARK, spoken]
Maureen Johnson, back from her spectacular one-night engagement at the eleventh street lot, will sing Native American tribal chants backwards through her vocoder, while accompanying herself on the electric cello, which she has never studied

[BENNY]
Your new boyfriend doesn't know about us

[MIMI]
There's nothing to know

[BENNY]
Don't you think that we should discuss --

[MIMI]
It was three months ago

[BENNY]
He doesn't act like he's with you

[MIMI]
We're taking it slow

[BENNY]
Where is he now?

[MIMI]
He's right -- Hmm

[BENNY]
Uh huh...

[MIMI]
Where'd he go?

[MARK, spoken]
And Roger will attempt to write a bittersweet, evocative song

(Roger picks up a guitar and plays)

That doesn't remind us of "Musetta's Waltz"

[COLLINS, spoken]
Angel Dumott Schunard will model the latest fall fashions from Paris while accompanying herself on the 10 gallon plastic pickle tub

[ANGEL, spoken]
And Collins will recount his exploits as anarchist, including the tale of the successful reprogramming of the M.I.T. virtual reality equipment to self-destruct, as it broadcasts the words:

[ALL, spoken]
"Actual Reality - ACT UP - Fight AIDS!"

[BENNY]
Check!!

[MIMI]
Excuse me, did I do something wrong?
I get invited, then ignored all night long

[ROGER]
I've been trying, I'm not lying
No one's perfect, I've got baggage

[MIMI]
Life's too short, babe, time is flying
I'm looking for baggage that goes with mine

[ROGER]
I should tell you--

[MIMI]
I've got baggage too

[ROGER]
I should tell you--

[BOTH]
Baggage
Wine--

[OTHERS]
--And beer!

[MIMI]
AZT break

[ROGER]
You?

[MIMI]
Me. You?

[ROGER]
Mimi

I should tell you, I'm disaster
I forget how to begin it
Let's just make this part go faster
I have yet to be in it

I should tell you, I should tell you
I should tell you, I should tell you

I should tell I blew the candle out
Just to get back in
I'd forgotten how to smile
Until your candle burned my skin

I should tell you, I should tell you
I should tell you, I should tell

Well, here we go, now we, oh no
I know this something is here goes
Here goes, guess so it's starting to
Who knows? Who knows?

Who knows where? Who goes there?
Who knows? Here goes

Trusting desire, starting to learn
Walking through fire without a burn
Clinging a shoulder a leap begins
Stinging and older, asleep on pins

So here we go, now we, oh no
I know, oh no
Who knows where? Who goes there?

Here goes, here goes
Here goes, here goes
Here goes, here goes

Are we packed?

Yes, and by next week I want you to be

Pookie?

And you should see
They've padlocked your building
And they're rioting on Avenue B
Benny called the cops

That f*ck

They don't know what they're doing
The cops are sweeping the lot
But no one's leaving
They're just sitting there mooing

Yeah

To Dance

No way to make a living, masochism, pain, perfection
Muscle spasms, chiropractors, short careers, eating disorders

Film

Adventure, tedium, no family, boring locations
Dark rooms, perfect faces, egos, money, Hollywood and sleaze

Music

Food of love, emotion, mathematics, isolation
Rhythm, feeling, power, harmony, and heavy competition

Anarchy

Revolution, justice, screaming for solutions
Forcing changes, risk, and danger
Making noise and making please

To faggots, lezzies, dykes, cross dressers too

To me, to me

To you, and you and you, you and you
To people living with, living with, living with
Not dying from disease

Let he among us without sin
Be the first to condemn
La vie Bohème
La vie Bohème
La vie Bohème

Anyone out of the mainstream (La vie Bohème)
Is anyone in the mainstream? (La vie Bohème)
Anyone alive with a sex drive (La vie Bohème)
Tear down the wall, aren't we all? (La vie Bohème)
The opposite of war isn't peace
It's creation

La vie Bohème
Viva la vie Bohème

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love

Seasons of love
Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In the bridges he burned
Or the way that she died

It's time now to sing out
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends

Remember the love (you got to remember the love)
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life, ooh (seasons of love)

Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

In diapers, report cards
In spoke wheels, in speeding tickets
In contracts, dollars
In funerals, in births

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you figure
A last year on earth?

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you figure
A last year on earth?
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you figure
A last year on earth?
Remember the love
Remember the love (remember the love)
Remember the love
Seasons of love

[MIMI]
How long till next year?

[ROGER]
Three and half minutes...

[MIMI]
I'm giving up my vices
I'm going back - back to school
Eviction or not
This week's been so hot
That long as I've got you
I know I'll be cool
I couldn't crack the love code, dear
'Til you made the lock on my heart explode
It's gonna be a happy new year
A happy new year

[MARK]
Coast is clear
You're supposed to be working
That's for midnight
Where are they?
There isn't much time

[MIMI]
Maybe they're dressing
I mean what does one wear that's apropos
For a party - that's also a crime?

[MAUREEN]
Chips, anyone?

[MARK]
You can take the girl out of Hicksville
But you can't take the Hicksville out of the girl

[MAUREEN]
My riot got you on TV
I deserve a royalty

[MIMI]
Be nice you two
Or no god awful champagne

[MAUREEN]
Don't mind if I do
No luck?

[ROGER]
Bolted plywood, padlocked with a chain
A total dead end

[MAUREEN]
Just like my ex-girlfriend
(on cellular phone)
Honey...?
I know you're there ...
Please pick up the phone
Are you okay?
It's not funny
It's not fair
How can I atone?
Are you okay?
I lose control
But I can learn to behave
Give me one more chance
Let me be your slave
I'll kiss your Doc Martens
Let me kiss your Doc Martens
Your every wish I will obey

(Joanne enters)

[JOANNE]
That might be okay
Down girl
Heel...stay
I did a bit of research
With my friends at legal aid
Technically, you're squatters
There's hope
But just in case

[MARK & JOANNE]
Rope!

[MARK]
We can hoist a line --

[JOANNE]
To the fire escape --

[MARK]
And tie off at-

[MARK & JOANNE]
That bench!

[MAUREEN]
I can't take them as chums

[JOANNE]
Start hoisting...wench

[ROGER]
I think I should be laughing
Yet I forget
Forget how to begin
I'm feeling something inside
And yet I still can't decide
If I should hide
Or make a wide open grin
Last week I wanted just to disappear
My life was dust
But now it just may be a happy new year
A happy new year

(Collins enters with Angel)

[COLLINS]
Bond - James Bond

[ANGEL]
And Pussy Galore - in person

[MIMI]
Pussy - you came prepared

[ANGEL]
I was a boy scout once
And a brownie
'Til some brat got scared

[COLLINS]
Aha! Moneypenny - my martini!

[MIMI]
Will bad champagne do?

[ROGER]
That's shaken - not stirred

[COLLINS]
Pussy - the bolts

[ANGEL]
Just say the word!

[MIMI]
Two minutes left to execute our plan

[COLLINS]
Where's everyone else?

[ROGER]
Playing Spiderman

[MARK]
Ironic close up: tight
On the phone machine's red light
Once the Boho boys are gone
The power mysteriously comes on

Mark, it's the Wicked Witch of the West, your mother
Happy new year from scarsdale

We're all impressed that the riot footage
Made the nightly news

Even your father says mazel tov
Honey, call him
Love, Mom

Mark Cohen
Alexi Darling from Buzzline

Oh, that show's so sleazy

Your footage of the riots, A-one
Feature segment network, deal time
I'm sending you a contract
Ker-ching ker-ching
Marky, give us a call 970-4301
Or at home try 863-6754
Or my cellphone at 919-763-0090
Or you can email me
At darling alexi newscom dot net
Or you can page me at

[MAUREEN]
I think we need an agent!

[MARK]
We?

[JOANNE]
Thats selling out

[MARK]
But it's nice to dream!

[MAUREEN]
Yeah! It's network TV
And it's all thanks to me!

[MARK]
Somehow i think i smell a whiff of a scheme!

[JOANNE]
Me too

[MAUREEN]
We can plan another protest

[JOANNE]
We?

[MAUREEN]
This time you can shoot from the start
You'll direct, starring me!

[MARK, MAUREEN, JOANNE]
5, 4, 3
Open sesame! Happy new year!
Happy new year!
Happy new...

[BENNY]
I see that you've beaten me
To the punch

[MARK]
How did you know we'd be here?

[BENNY]
I had a hunch

[MARK]
You're not mad?

[BENNY]
I'm here to end this war
It's a shame you went and destroyed the door

[MIMI]
Why all of a sudden the big about face?

[BENNY]
The credit is yours
You made a good case

[ROGER]
What case?

[BENNY]
Mimi came to see me
And she had much to say

[MIMI]
That's not how you put it
At all yesterday!

[BENNY]
I couldn't stop thinking
About the whole mess!
Mark you'll want to get this on film

[MARK]
I guess

[BENNY]
I regret the unlucky circumstances
Of the last seven days

[ROGER]
Circumstance?
You padlocked our door!

[BENNY]
And it's a great pleasure on behalf of cyber arts
That I hand you this key

[ANGEL]
Golf claps

[MARK]
I had no juice in my battery

[BENNY]
Reshoot!

[ROGER]
Oh I see this is a photo opportunity

[MAUREEN]
The benevolent god
Ushers the poor artists back to their flat
Were you planning on taking
Down the barbed wire from the lot too?

[ROGER]
Anything but that

[BENNY]
Clearing the lot
Was a safety concern
We break ground this month
But you can return

[MAUREEN]
That's why you're here
With people you hate
Instead of with Muffy
At Muffy's estate

[BENNY]
I honestly rather'd be with you tonight than in Westport

[ROGER]
Spare us old sport, the sound bite

[BENNY]
Mimi, since you were so seductive

[MIMI]
You came onto me!

[BENNY]
Persuade him not to be so counterproductive

[ROGER]
Liar!

[BENNY]
Why not tell them what you wore to my place?

[MIMI]
I was on my way to work

[BENNY]
Black leather and lace

My desk was a mess
I think I'm still sore

[MIMI]
Cause I kicked him and told him I wasn't his whore

[BENNY]
Does your boyfriend know who your last boyfriend was?

[ROGER]
I'm not her boyfriend, I don't care what she does!

[ANGEL]
People, is this any way to start a new year, have compassion
Benny just lost his cat

[BENNY]
My dog, but i appreciate that

[ANGEL]
My cat had a fall, and I went through hell

[BENNY]
It's like losing a... How did you know that she fell?

[COLLINS]
Champagne?

[BENNY]
Don't mind if I do. To dogs...

[ALL BUT BENNY]
No, Benny, to you!

[ANGEL]
Let's make a resolution

[MIMI]
I'll drink to that

[COLLINS]
Let's always stay friends

[JOANNE]
Though we may have our disputes

[MAUREEN]
This family tree's got deep roots

[MARK]
Friendship is thicker than blood

[ROGER]
That depends

[MIMI]
Depends on trust

[ROGER]
Depends on true devotion

[JOANNE]
Depends on love

[MARK]
Depends on not denying emotion!

[ROGER]
Perhaps

[ALL]
It's gonna be a happy new year!

[ROGER]
I guess

[ALL]
It's gonna be a happy new year!

[ROGER]
You're right

[ANGEL]
It's gonna be a happy new year!

[ROGER & MIMI]
I'm sorry

[ROGER]
Coming

[MIMI]
In a minute. I'm fine. Go

[THE MAN]
Well, well, well. What have we here?
It's gonna be a happy new year. There, there...

[Maureen:]
Every single day,
I walk down the street
I hear people say 'baby so sweet'
Ever since puberty
Everybody stares at me
Boys girls I can't help it baby
So be kind and don't lose your mind
Just remember that I'm your baby

Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby
Or leave me

Take me or leave me

[Maureen:]
A tiger in a cage
Can never see the sun
This diva needs her stage baby
Lets have fun
You are the one I choose
Folks will kill to fill your shoes
You love the lime light to now baby
So be mine but don't waste my time
Cryin' 'honey bear are you still my, my, my baby?'

Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me

No way, can I be what I'm not
But hey, don't you want your girl hot?
Oh, don't fight, don't loose your head
'cause every night who's in your bed?
Who?
Who's in your bed?
[Spoken:] kiss pookie

[Joanne:]
It won't work
I look before I leap
I love margins and discipline
I make list in my sleep baby
Whats my sin?
Never quit
I follow through
I hate mess but I love you
What do with my improptu baby?
So be wise 'cause this girl satisfies
You got a prize but don't compromise
Your one lucky baby

[Joanne:] take me for what I am
[Maureen:] a control freak
[Joanne:] who I was meant to be
[Maureen:] a snob yet over attentive
[Joanne:] and if you give a damn
[Maureen:] a loveable droll geek
[Joanne:] take me baby or leave me
[Maureen:] a anal retentave

[Both:] thats it
[Joanne:] the straw that breaks my back
[Both:] I quit
[Joanne:] unless you take it back
[Maureen:] women what is it about them?
[Both:] can't live with them or without them

[Chorus:]
[Both:] take me for what I am
[Joanne:] who I was meant to be
[Maureen:] who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
[Joanne:] and if you give a damn then
Take me baby, or leave me
[Maureen:] take me baby, take me or la-la-la-la-la-leave me
[Both:] take me baby or leave me
[Spoken:] guess I'm leaving I'm gone!

[COMPANY]
In diapers, report cards
In spoke wheels, in speeding tickets
In contracts, dollars
In funerals, in births

In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you figure our last year on earth?

Figure in love
Figure in love
Figure in love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

She's a show off!
Trynna be the life of the party

Tell me more love
Whisper in my ear while i grab it

We just tryna smoke
And (dance)
Turning up every night
Tomorrow does'nt matter
Long as we got matching eyes

But i'm throwed off
(Asking what would life be without you)
Without you

In the palisades
Trynna be the drug to her loving
Hear the things she say
The only love she want
When we f*ckin

Cause she just trynna smoke
And f*ck
Live up every night
Nothing even matters
Long as she just getting high

But baby
Take it slow
This night cant end without you
Without you

[Roger and Mark]
SPEAK...(beep)

[Alexi Darling:]
Mark Cohen
Alexi Darling
Labor Day Weekend
In East Hampton
On the beach
Just saw Alec Baldwin
Told him you said "Hi"
Just kidding

We still need directors
You still need money
You know you need money
Pick up the phone
Don't be afraid of ker-ching ker-ching

Marky, sell us your soul
Just kidding
We're waiting...

[GROUP A]
-Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
-Wet-wet-wet-red-heat
-Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
-Wet-wet-wet-red-heat
Please don't stop please
Please don't stop stop
Stop stop stop don't
Please please please please
-Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
-Wet-wet-wet-red-heat
-Sticky-licky-trickle-tickle
-Steamy-creamy-stroking-soaking

[GROUP B]
-Hot-hot-hot-sweat-sweet
-Wet-wet-wet-red-heat

[COLLINS]
Touch

[MAUREEN]
Taste

[MIMI]
Deep!

[COLLINS]
Dark!

[MAUREEN]
Kiss!

[COLLINS]
Beg!

[MIMI]
Slap!

[MIMI, MAUREEN AND COLLINS]
Fear!

[COLLINS]
Thick!

[MIMI, MAUREEN AND COLLINS]
Red, red
Red, red
Red, red - please

[MAUREEN]
Harder

[ANGEL]
Faster

[MAUREEN]
Wetter

[MIMI]
Bastard!

[ROGER]
You whore!

[MAUREEN]
You cannibal!

[MIMI AND ANGEL]
More!

[MAUREEN]
You animal!

[MIMI, COLLINS AND MAUREEN]
Fluid no fluid no contact yes
No contact

[ALL]
Fire fire burn-burn yes!
No latex rubber rubber
Fire latex rubber latex bummer
Lover bummer

[ANGEL]
Take me
Take me
Ohhh
Take me
Take me
Ohhh
Today for you
Tomorrow for me
Today me
Tomorrow you
Tomorrow you
Love
You
Love you
I love
You I love
You!
Take me
Take me
I love you

[ROGER]
Um

[JOANNE]
Wait

[MIMI]
Slipped

[COLLINS]
Shit

[JOANNE]
Ow!

[ROGER]
Where'd it go?

[MIMI]
Safe

[COLLINS]
Damn

[MAUREEN]
I think I missed
Don't get pissed

[ALL]
It was bad for me - was it bad for you?

[JOANNE]
It's over

[MAUREEN]
It's over

[ROGER]
It's over

[MIMI]
It's over

[COLLINS]
It's over

[COLLINS]
Live in my house
I'll be your shelter
Just pay me back
With one thousand kisses
Be my lover
And I'll cover you
Yeah

Open your door
I'll be your tenant
Don't got much baggage
To lay at your feet
But sweet kisses I've got to spare
I'll be there
And I'll cover you
Oh

I think they meant it
When they said you can't buy love
Now I know you can rent it
A new lease you were my love
On life
All my life
I've longed to discover
Something as true as this is
Yeah

[Joanne (COMPANY 1){COMPANY 2}]
So with a thousand sweet kisses (I'll Cover you) {525,600 minutes}

[COLLINS]
If you're cold and you're lonely

[JOANNE (COMPANY 1){COMPANY 2}]
With a thousand sweet kisses (I'll cover you) {525,600 moments so dear}

[COLLINS]
You've got one nickel only

[JOANNE (COMPANY 1)]
With a thousand sweet kisses (525,600 minutes)

[COLLINS]
When you worn out and you're tired

[JOANNE (COMPANY 1){COMPANY 2}]
With a thousand sweet kisses (I'll cover you){525,000}

[COLLINS]
When your heart has expired

[ALL]
Ooohh
Lover
I'll cover you
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeahhhhhh
Ooohhh lover
I'll cover you (525,600 minutes)
(525,000 seasons of love)

[COLLINS]
I'll cover you

How did we get here, how the hell?
Pan left, close on the steeple of the church
How did I get here, how the hell?
Christmas! Christmas Eve, last year

How could a night so frozen
Be so scalding hot?
How can a morning this mild
Be so raw?

Why are entire years strewn
On the cutting room floor of memory?
When single frames from one magic night
Forever flicker in close-up on the 3-D IMAX of my mind

That's poetic, that's pathetic
Why did Mimi knock on Roger's door
And Collins choose that phone booth
Back where Angel set up his drums?
Why did Maureen's equipment break down?

Why am I the witness
And when I capture it on film
Will it mean that it's the end?
And I'm alone

It's true you sold your guitar and bought a car?
It's true, I'm leaving now for Santa Fe
It's true, you're with this yuppie scum?
You said you'd never speak to him again

Not now
Who said that you have any say in who she says things to at all?
Yeah
Who said that you should stick your nose in other people's
Who said I was talking to you?
We used to have this fight each night (calm down)
She'd never admit I existed (everyone please)

He was the same way
He was always, run away, hit the road, don't commit
You're full of shit

She's in denial (He's in denial)
Don't give an inch when I gave a mile (come on)
I gave a mile
Gave a mile to who?
Come on guys, chill

I'd be happy to die for a taste of what Angel had
Someone to live for, unafraid to say I love you
All your words are nice, Mimi
But love's not a three way street
You'll never share real love
Until you love yourself, I should know
You all said you'd be cool today
So please, for my sake

I can't believe he's gone
I can't believe you're going
I can't believe this family must die
Angel helped us believe in love
I can't believe you disagree
I can't believe this is goodbye

I hear there are great restaurants out west
Some of the best, how could she?
How could you let her go?
You just don't know
How could we lose Angel?
Maybe you'll see why when you stop escaping your pain

At least now if you try, Angel's death won't be in vain
His death is in vain
Are you insane?
There's so much to care about

There's me, there's Mimi
Mimi's got her baggage too
So do you
Who are you to tell me what I know
What to do
A friend

But who, Mark, are you?
Mark has got his work
They say, "Mark lives for his work"
And, "Mark's in love with his work"
Mark hides in his work

From what?
From facing your failure
Facing your loneliness
Facing the fact you live a lie

Yes, you live a lie, tell you why
You're always preaching not to be numb
When that's how you thrive
You pretend to create and observe
When you really detach from feeling alive
Perhaps it's because I'm the one of us to survive
Poor baby

Mimi still loves Roger
Is Roger really jealous
Or afraid that Mimi's weak?
Mimi did look pale
Mimi's gotten thin
Mimi's running out of time

Roger's running out the door
No more, oh no, I've gotta go
Hey, for somebody who's always been let down who's heading out of town?
For someone who longs for a community of his own
Who's with his camera, alone?
I'll call
I hate the fall
You heard?
Every word

You don't want baggage without lifetime guarantees
You don't want to watch me die?
I just came to say goodbye love
Goodbye love

Came to say goodbye love, goodbye
Just came to say goodbye love (glory)
Goodbye love (one blaze of)
Goodbye love
I have to find (goodbye)

Please don't touch me, understand
I'm scared, I need to go away
I know a place, a clinic
A rehab?
Maybe, could you?
I'll pay
Goodbye love
Goodbye love

Came to say goodbye love, goodbye
Just came to say goodbye love
Goodbye love
Goodbye love
Hello, disease

Don't breathe too deep
Don't think all day
Dive into work
Drive the other way
That drip of hurt
That pint of shame
Goes away
Just play the game
You're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're living in America
Leave your conscience at the tone
And when you're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're what you own

The filmmaker cannot see
And the songwriter cannot hear

Yet I see Mimi everywhere

Angel's voice is in my ear

Just tighten those shoulders

Just clench your jaw til you frown

Just don't let go
Or you may drown

You're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're living in America
Where it's like the Twilight Zone
And when you're living in America
At the end of the millennium
You're what you own
So I own not a notion
I escape and ape content
I don't own emotion, I rent

What was it about that night (What was it about that night)

Connection, in an isolating age

For once the shadows gave way to light (For once the shadows gave way to light)

For once I didn't disengage

Angel, I hear you, I hear it
I see you, I hear it, I hear it, I hear it (My film)
My song

Alexi, Mark (One song)
Call me a hypocrite
I need to finish my own film (Mimi, your eyes)
I quit

Dying in America
At the end of the millennium
We're dying in America
To come into our own
And when you're dying in America
At the end of the millennium

You're not alone
I'm not alone
I'm not alone

Roger, this is your mother
Roger, honey I don't get these postcards
Moving to Santa Fe, back in New York
Starting a rock band, Roger, where are you? Please call

Mimi, chica, donde estas?
Tu mama esta llamando
Donde estas' Mimi call?

Kitten, wherever are you, call
Mark, are you there? Are you there?
I don't know if he's there
We're all here wishing you were here too

Where are you? Mark, are you there?
Are you there? Where are you?
Mark, are you there, are you there?

Please call your mother

Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing

How time flies
When compassion dies
No stocking, no candy canes
No gingerbread, no safety net

No loose change, no change, no
Santa Claus is coming
'Cause Santa Claus ain't coming
No room at the Holiday Inn again
Well, maybe next year or when

December twenty-fourth, ten p.m.
Eastern standard time
I can't believe a year went by so fast
Time to see, what we have time to see

Turn the projector on first shot Roger
With the Fender guitar he just got out of hock
When he sold the car
That took him away and back

I found my song
He found his song
If he could just find Mimi
I tried, you know I tried

Fade in on Mark
Who's still in the dark
But he's got great footage
Which he's cut together

To screen tonight
In honor of Benny's wife
Muffy, Alison
Pulling Benny out of the East Village location

Then again, maybe we won't screen it tonight
I wonder how Alison found out about Mimi?
Maybe a little bird told her
Or an angel
I had a little hunch, you could use, a little 'flow

Tutoring again? Negative
Back at NYU? No, no, no
I rewired the ATM at the food emporium
To provide an honorarium to anyone with the code

The code, well
A-N-G-E-L

Yet robin hooding isn't the solution
The powers that be must be undermined
Where they dwell
In a small exclusive gourmet institution

Where we overcharge the wealthy clientele
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe (Santa Fe)
With a private corner banquette in the back
We'll make it yet, we'll somehow get to Santa Fe

But you'd miss New York before you could unpack (Santa Fe)

Mark, Roger, anyone? Help
Maureen?
It's Mimi, I can't get her up the stairs

No
She was huddled in the park in the dark
And she was freezing and begged to come here
Over here, oh, god
Got a light, I know you, you're shivering

She's been living on the street
We need some heat
I'm shivering
We can buy some wood and something to eat

I'm afraid she needs more than heat
I heard that
Collins will call for a doctor, honey
Don't waste your money on Mimi, me, me

Hello, 911? I'm on hold
Cold, cold, would you light my candle
Yes, we'll, oh God, find a candle

I should tell you
I should tell you
I should tell you
I should tell you

I should tell you
Benny wasn't any
Shh, I know
I should tell you why I left
It wasn't 'cause I didn't

I know, I should tell you
I should tell you
I should tell you, I love you

Who do you think you are?
Leaving me alone with my guitar
Hold on there's something you should here
It isn't much but it took all year

ROGER
Your eyes
As we said our goodbyes
Can't get them out of my mind
And I find I can't hide
From your eyes
The ones that took me by surprise
The night you came into my life
Where there's moonlight I see your eyes
(Band takes over)
How'd I let you slip away
When I'm longing so to hold you
Now I'd die for one more day
'Cause there's something I should have told you
Yes there's something I should have told you
When I looked into your eyes
Why does distance make us wise?
You were the song all along
And before this song dies
I should tell you I should tell you
I have always loved you
You can see it in my eyes
(We hear Musetta's Theme, played correctly and passionately. MIMI's head falls to the side and her arm drops limply off the edge of the
table.)
Mimi

I jumped over the moon

What?

A leap of mooo

She's back

I was in a tunnel, heading for this warm, white light

Oh my god

And I swear Angel was there and she looked good
And she said
"Turn around, girlfriend, and listen to that boy's song"

She's drenched

Her fever's breaking

There is no future
There is no past

Thank God this moment's not the last

There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret or life is yours to miss

No other road no other way
No day but today

I can't control
My destiny
I trust my soul
My only goal is just to be

Without you
The hand gropes
The ear hears
The pulse beats
Life goes on
But I'm gone
'Cause I die
Without you
I die without you
I die without you
I die without you

I die without you
I die without you

No day but today

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love

Seasons of love
Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In the bridges he burned
Or the way that she died

It's time now to sing out
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends

Remember the love (you got to remember the love)
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life
Measure measure you life, ooh (seasons of love)

Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

In diapers, report cards
In spoke wheels, in speeding tickets
In contracts, dollars
In funerals, in births

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you figure
A last year on earth?

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you figure
A last year on earth?
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you figure
A last year on earth?
Remember the love
Remember the love (remember the love)
Remember the love
Seasons of love