èßäAV

A year or two ago, a tantalizing text from my pal Eric Jacobsen (“Thile, whatever you want to do with orchestra, we can make it happen!”) prompted more proactive monitoring and I started hearing bits of what would eventually become ATTENTION! I was confused at first, ’cause these little aural visions included not just mandolin and orchestra but singing and talking as well. Whoa, ok…fun! Further dreaming led to the conviction that there should be an actual story, not just loosely related vignettes (which has pretty much been my M.O. on long-form pieces with vocals up to this point). But what story? I’ve always loved writing songs based on short stories, so I started there, widened the search to essays, then read a bunch of plays, but every time I got excited about something, a nagging little voice (probably remembering my last orchestral piece) would say, “Yeah, but why would YOU be the one to musicalize this story?” Ugh. Fair. Ok, fine then: What is a story I like to tell about something that happened to me that my friends seem to like hearing? Ah ha! THIS ONE, hands down, no contest. If you’ve ever had a couple rounds with me at a good cocktail bar, chances are I’ve trotted it out, and the thought of turning it into a piece of orchestral music got my inner ear cranking like never before. It’s a ridiculous story, but it’s 100% true, and the more I’ve worked on the telling of it, the more aware I’ve become of what a profound impact the whole experience had on me as a person who loves to make things and show them to other people. 

You can find the lyrics at christhile.com/attention, but I recommend only using it when my diction isn’t up to snuff (I’m working on it, swear to God!). Now, if you’ll just give me your attention…

—Chris Thile”

Attention

CHRIS: So we’re talking summer of 2005. I was 24. My band, Nickel Creek, and I were in San Diego promoting our record, “Why Should the Fire Die?” at the National Association of Recording Merchandisers Convention — anyone remember how you used to have to buy music? Like in stores, through blinding snowstorms? Uphill both ways?

Ahhh, those were the days. Anyway, turns out before you bought a CD at one of those stores, those stores had to buy it from us (or rather our record companies), and that’s why we were at this convention: to schmooze. With everyone from Tower Records (may it rest in peace) to Wal-Mart. And oh how we griped, “ugh, these dog and pony shows…” but inwardly, I was like
AW BUCKLE UP, Y’ALL
I’M ABOUT TO TAKE THE FLOOR
THIS PLACE IS BUZZING
BUT I WANNA HEAR IT ROAR AS I SWING MY FLATPICK
LIKE THE HAMMER OF BLUEGRASS THOR
ALL I NEED IS YOUR ATTENTION

Yeah. Bluegrass Thor. I was a lot back then, even outwardly, my vibe was like
BEHOLD SUCH SERENDIPITY
AS ONLY FOOLS IGNORE SO YOU LIKE MUSIC, HUH?
WELL, GUESS WHAT, I LIKE RECORD STORES
Y’ALL WE COULD LEAVE HERE
WITH EXACTLY WHAT WE CAME HERE FOR
IF YOU GIVE ME YOUR ATTENTION

‘CAUSE I LIVE FOR YOUR ATTENTION,
BEN FROM TARGET, AT TWO YEARS OLD, MAN, I WAS PRETENDING
AN OLD RACQUET
THAT I FOUND IN MY DAD’S WORKSHOP WAS A MANDOLIN
AND I’D ROCK IT
RIGHT IN FRONT OF A TOILET-PLUNGER-CUM-MICROPHONE
kinda like this one. Explains a lot, huh. Except WHY mandolin? I ask myself that all the time. JOKES, I know why:

It’s ‘cause there was a pizza place close to our house called “That Pizza Place” that had a bluegrass night, hosted by a very good, vey charismatic mandolinist named John Moore, whom I worshipped. Copied his every move. If he’d been a kazooist? You’d be listening to a kazoo concerto right now. And there’d be less tuning

Anyway: any time my folks had company, I’d set up the plunger, grab my racquet, and pretend to be John Moore, like: “Howdy folks, welcome to That Pizza Place!”

This had been a thing for a couple years
When
We went to dinner at the Latimer’s
Where
Lo and behold a real life mandolin
Hung on the wall of a hallway leading to the bathroom and I freaked
Jumping up and down, screaming “mandolin!” until my dad’s buddy reached up
Took it down off it’s little nail, said “you know it’s not a toy, right?” and he
Handed it to me
And I sat on the floor with it, just
Strumming
And dreaming

I DREAMT A GREAT HALL
FULL OF PEOPLE
I DREAMT MUSIC
THAT ALL THOSE PEOPLE KNEW
AND I’M STILL DREAMING
WAKE ME UP, Y’ALL,
SAYING “LOOK,
YOUR DREAM’S COME TRUE”

RECORDING MERCHANDISERS, PROBABLY: LOOK, YOUR DREAM’S COME TRUE AS DREAMS COME

CHRIS: THUSLY I DREAMED AND PLAYED
‘TIL MY FINGERTIPS WERE SORE
AND I GOT ATTENTION
SUCH THAT NOW AT 24
I’VE HAD ENOUGH
TO KNOW I NEED A WHOLE LOT MORE

YOU BETTER BUCKLE UP, Y’ALL
FOR THE WILDEST TORNADO
OF FEELINGS I’VE EVER
WRANGLED INTO SONGS BEFORE
WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU
MAKES A RECORD FULL OF STRONGER CHORUSES
TO SING FOR YOUR ATTENTION

AS I CLING TO YOUR ATTENTION,
Kim from Best Buy,
Perhaps you’ve guessed from prior compositions
I’ve led a blessed life
Better shredded than sung about but now listen
I have an ex-wife
Drinks, casual sex, and serious questions
Like what if Jesus Christ Isn’t my personal Lord and Savior…

O ME OF LITTLE FAITH

Nice, right?

Look I know it’s hard
TO SEE THE GREAT HALL
FOR THE HOTEL BALLROOM
TO HEAR THE MUSIC
FOR ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES SCHMOOZING
BUT THIS IS THE DREAM, Y’ALL
AND YOU ARE THE PEOPLE THAT CAN MAKE THE DREAM COME TRUE

RECORDING MERCHANDISERS, PROBABLY: HEY, WE’RE ALL DREAMING

CHRIS: JUNG-HO FROM BORDERS,
ANN FROM WALMART, ALEJANDRO FROM VIRGIN,
PLACE YOUR ORDERS
THEN KICK BACK AS YOUR BOSS ADMIRES YOUR VISION
AND NEXT QUARTER
Maybe you’ll be his boss!
C’mon, buckle down, y’all
LIKE THE MUSIC BUYERS OF YORE
WHO’D ATTEND A SHOWCASE
AS A MINER WOULD SOME HIGH GRADE ORE
AND “EUREKA!”
THEY’D FIND JONI’S SWEET FALSETTO SOARING
JIMI’S GUITAR SCREAMING
AND THE MASSES BANGING DOWN THEIR DOORS
YOU’RE LIKE “EUREKA!
BEN FROM TARGET’S MORNING NINE HOLE SCORE,
KIM’S IN-ROOM WORKOUT TIPS,
JUNG-HO’S DUSTIN HOFFMAN STORY”
WITH THE MASSES SIGHING IN AISLES FULL
OF THE SAME OLD SHIT DU JOUR
TO SHOW FOR YOUR ATTENTION

TO THE GOLD WE THROW AT YOUR ATTENTION

WHY EVEN GO TO THESE CONVENTIONS?

Lord Starbucks

So yeah, we performed for this roomful of music buyers and it was like freaking CRICKETS—no. No, worse: an actual “smattering” of applause—and we came offstage FUMING, like:

MY GOD, THAT SUCKED

YOU GUYS, I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW BAD THAT SUCKED

SOMEONE BACKSTAGE: Hey, nice show. Love to have you back next year…

CHRIS: Oh man, for sure!
NEVER AGAIN, NOT FOR A MILLION BUCKS
‘CAUSE MY GOD, THIS SUCKS

SOMEONE BACKSTAGE: Dude, you’re like the Hendrix of the—what is that thing, a ukulele?

CHRIS: Haha, aw shucks!
WHEREAS Y’ALL ARE LIKE THE HENDRIX OF HEARING ME PLAY THAT THING AND GIVING ZERO F—

SOMEONE BACKSTAGE: Nice one, you guys, next stop, Billboard top ten!

CHRIS: Woowoo!
BOY, THIS SUCKS

Well, well, well.
HERE COMES THE FREAKING GENIUS WHOSE IDEA IT WAS

AKA, our manager, Peets. GREAT guy. Always smiling, saying stuff like “younger demographic!” and then picking up the tab. But I was pissed at him. Especially when he came in hot like:

PEETS: MY GOD, THAT ROCKED

CHRIS: PEETS, WE KNOW IT SUCKED

PEETS: YOU GUYS I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW HARD THAT ROCKED

CHRIS: YOU NEED YOUR HEARING CHECKED

PEETS: Jesus, Thile.

CHRIS: What?
IF YOU COULD HEAR THEN YOU’D’VE HEARD HOW MUCH THOSE ASSHOLES
TALKED

PEETS: About how much you assholes rocked!
THAT’S HOW CONVENTIONS WORK
YOU LISTEN JUST ENOUGH TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT AND WITH WHOM TO TALK

THAT’S HOW I KNOW IT ROCKED
PEOPLE STARTED TALKING TO ME ABOUT YOU GUYS
I THOUGHT YOU’D LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THE MEETING I JUST BOOKED

BUT IF YOU’RE SURE IT SUCKED
GUESS I’LL JUST CANCEL ON THE MUSIC BUYER FROM—
Any guesses?

CHRIS: Wal-Mart?

PEETS: Better:
STARBUCKS

CHRIS: what??

PEETS: You heard me.
STARBUCKS

CHRIS: O. M. F. G. Because in 2005, nobody (not even Wal-Mart) was selling as much of whatever music they decided to carry as—

PEETS: STARBUCKS

CHRIS: I mean, cast your mind back:

You’re in line for a three pump black and white SOY mocha, you naughty little—
But what’s that you begin to catch out of the corner of your ear?

STARBUCKS’ SOUNDSYSTEM: I WANT YOU TO GET TOGETHER

Mmm, a vibe, that’s what…
Strong, smooth, smoky, syrupy,
Kinda like that tall drink of coffee-flavored sugar you’re about to—

STARBUCKS’ SOUNDSYSTEM: I WANT YOU TO GET TOGETHER

And now you and everyone in line are swaying as one, and whoa, you’re up!
“And a good morning to you, Tiffany!
One tall triple shot three pump black and white SOY mocha, please,
And O if only I could stay and savor it with whatever mellow sorcery this is playing in the background,
But alas, Tiffany, I have to ask that you make the aforementioned mocha to-go.”

STARBUCKS’ SOUNDSYSTEM: I WANT YOU TO GET TOGETHER

TIFFANY: Uhh, but sir, you don’t have to choose between ‘to-go,’ and ‘with mellow sorcery,’ for behold:
The latter is 1/9th of the new St. Germain record
Obtainable at this very register
And the perfect traveling companion for your imminent Three Pump Black and White Mocha!

CHRIS: Black and White SOY mocha.

TIFFANY: Black and White SOY mocha!

CHRIS: Three Pump Black and White Soy—

TIFFANY: Look, do you want the record or not?

STARBUCKS’ SOUNDSYSTEM: I WANT YOU TO GET TOGETHER

CHRIS: Damn straight, I bought that record! Listened to it all the way home. And maybe never again, but it will be one of the four million copies St. Germain sold forever.

PEETS: ALL BECAUSE OF STARBUCKS

KINDA MAKES YOU THINK, RIGHT
KINDA MAKES YOU WANNA MEET THE GUY F
ROM STARBUCKS

CHRIS: It really does, Peets. So like, where and when?

PEETS: I thought you’d never ask.
THERE’S A BIG VIP EVENT TONIGHT
ON THE ROOFTOP
EVERYBODY’S HERE’S TRYING TO GET INVITED
TO THE ROOFTOP
AH, BUT NOW WE CAN AIM A LITTLE HIGHER
BY THE GRACE OF STARBUCKS’ MUSIC BUYER
WHO JUST ASKED ME IF Y’ALL WOULD BE HIS GUESTS
ON THE ROOFTOP
THUS THE FATE OF THIS ALBUM CYCLE RESTS ON THE ROOFTOP
WE’VE GOTTA SHOW HIM HOW BUYABLE YOU ARE
UNDER THE FLATTERING CALIFORNIA STARS
AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE OPEN BAR
ON THE ROOFTOP

CHRIS: Ok, but like…how?

PEETS: Just be cool.

CHRIS: Check.

PEETS: And tell him about the record.

CHRIS: Can’t he just listen to the record?

PEETS: No, it’s better if you talk about it. You know, like how your sound is
A BIT LESS ‘NPR’ NOW
A BIT MORE ‘TRL’
THINK ‘OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOU’
MEETS ‘JAGGED LITTLE PILL
AND HE’LL MAKE SURE EVERYBODY
IN LINE PEEPS
YOUR FRESHLY SHRINK-WRAPPED TONES
NEXT TO THE BISCOTTI
JUST LIKE NORAH JONES

YOU’RE GONNA BE THE YOU’RE GONNA BE THE YOU’RE GONNA BE THE
STAR IN STARBUCKS

CHRIS: Aww, go on!

PEETS: YOU’RE GONNA BE THE
STAR IN STARBUCKS

NOW TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THAT EVERY KINGMAKER
WISHES HE WERE KING
I.E. ABOUT TO DROP A RECORD
THAT’S GONNA MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD SING
WITH A TOUR BUS FULL OF HOTTIES
COMPETING
FOR THE CHANCE TO JUMP HIS BONES—

CHRIS: Dude, that’s not how it is—

PEETS: I’m not saying that’s how it is, I’m saying
MAKE SURE HE’S VICARIOUSLY LIVING
THROUGH WHAT HE THINKS IS YOU
AND WE WON’T EVEN HAVE TO LISTEN
TO THIS WEIRD FOLK-POP THING YOU’RE DOING
BEFORE TURNING EVERY COPY
INTO ROYALTY
FLYING OFF HIS SHELF-LIKE THRONES
BETWEEN THE BISCOTTI
AND HER HIGHNESS NORAH JONES

YOU’RE GONNA BE THE YOU’RE GONNA BE THE YOU’RE GONNA BE THE
STAR IN STARBUCKS

CHRIS: From your lips to God’s ears, Peets.

INTERCEDING SAINTS, PROBABLY: HE’S GONNA BE THE STAR IN STARBUCKS

PEETS: AND YOU’RE GONNA MAKE THE YOU’RE GONNA MAKE THE WE’RE GONNA MAKE THE
BUCKS IN STARBUCKS

———

CHRIS: Amen, Peets, let’s do this!

And Peets was all “Great. We’ll meet in the lobby at 8:45.”

8:45? But that’s like three hours from now!

So I did what I always did back then when I had time to kill and a hotel room all to myself: noodled on the mandolin while watching Sports Center…

…what’s up Peets?

PEETS: Thile, we’re in the lobby, where are you?

CHRIS: Ack, y’all, it’s almost 9, we’re late!

The Rooftop

Quick, Mandolin in the case! Case over the shoulder (better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, amiright?)! Check the hair…ack! Barely sticking up at all! Get out the gunk. Futz with it. Better. Out the door, wham, forgot your key—argh—whatever, down the elevator, “so sorry, guys!” “Thile you’re the worst (nice hair, though).” Up a different elevator, the doors open, and
YOU PART THE VELVET CURTAINS
ON A WHO’S WHO OF MERCHANTS
AND MERCHANDISE MAKERS LIKE YOU
STIRRING UP THE ROOFTOP

AND LIKE THIS SAN DIEGO WEATHER
YOU’RE MILD AND MEASURED
WITH A GUY WHO RUNS UP SHOUTING, “DUDE,
SORRY, BUT THE ROOFTOP
IS CLOSED FOR A PRI—
“ INDEED AND I’M
ON THE LIST
ON THE LIST
ON THE GUEST LIST

THAT’S T AS IN “THOMAS”
H-I-L-E
YOU’RE SAYING IT WRONG
AND THAT’S COOL BUT PLEASE
DON’T SAY I’M NOT
ON THE LIST ‘CAUSE SEE
LOOK, THERE I AM
THAT’S MY NAME
ON THE GUEST LIST

YOU ARRIVE AT LORD STARBUCKS’ TABLE
TO A BOUNTY OF RED BULL,
GREY GOOSE, AND A TRAY OF LIGHT APPS
SENT OUT BY THE ROOFTOP
BUT NO SIGN OF LORD STARBUCKS

HAS YOUR MEETING BEEN CANCELED
IS HE OFF WITH SOME DAMSEL
OR MAYBE JUST TAKING A LAP
AROUND THE ROOFTOP
AH WELL, C’EST LA VIE
THERE’S OTHER FISH IN THE SEA—
WAIT, BUT THE BIGGEST PUT ME
ON THE LIST
ON THE LIST
ON THE GUEST LIST

THAT’S T AS IN “THOMAS”
H-I-L-E
HE PROBS SAID IT WRONG
BUT WHATEVER HE’S
NOT WRIGGLING OFF
OF THIS HOOK ‘CAUSE I’VE BUSTED MY ASS TO KISS HIS
WITH THE BEST IN THE BIZ
ON THIS GUEST LIST

But first, time out! I’m not doing anything on Vodka and Redbull

ANYONE WITH DISCERNING TASTE: “MY GOD, IT SUCKS”

CHRIS: WHY THEN SHOULD WE LET IT BEFOUL OUR SOLO CUPS?

I mean, this is San Diego, right?? Hey, Open Barman!

BARTENDER: Yo!

CHRIS: A pint of your freest Stone IPA, please.

BARTENDER: You got it.

ANYONE WITH DISCERNING TASTE:
WHEN IT HITS YOUR LIPS

CHRIS: Oh yes
AND WHEN YOU FEEL THE POWER COURSING THROUGH YOUR FINGERTIPS

Ok, so, all we gotta do is find the rooftop’s current center of attention, come up with an excuse to play mandolin for it, thereby becoming the center of attention ourselves, and reminding Lord Starbucks who he put on the freaking list: Christopher. Scott. Thyle.

THAT’S T AS IN “Time in!”
H-I-L-E
EVEN I SAY IT WRONG
SOMETIMES—whoa! Hey Peets,

WHO’S THE BLACK HAT
TELLING STORIES HE’S
REELED IN LIKE HALF THE ROOF’S VIPs—
OMG HERE COMES
LORD STARBUCKS WITH A
“COME ON, LET’S HEAR SOME
HARMONICA”
PEETS, HOLD MY BEER…

…AND IN A SPLIT SECOND YOU’VE CRACKED YOUR CASE
TO TRADE LICKS
FOR A PLACE ON THE LIST
WITH THE GREATS
SUCH AS THIS GUY
YOU’VE GUESSED
WHO IT IS, RIGHT?
—black felt hat, imposing frame, alleged harmonica use—
YUP, STANDING BETWEEN YOU PLAYING MANDOLIN
AND ALL THE ATTENTION
THAT A GUEST LIST CAN GIVE
ON THE ROOFTOP

IT’S NONE OTHER THAN—John Popper?

AS IN THE—frontman of Blues Traveler?

As in—
WHOA
WHY YOU WANNA GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND
YEAH, IT’S A SUREFIRE WAY TO SPEED THINGS UP
WHEN ALL IT DOES IS SLOW ME DOWN

———

Mr. Popper?

JOHN POPPER: Yes.

CHRIS: You have your harmonica on you, I trust?

JOHN POPPER: Naturally.

CHRIS: Excellent. En garde!

RECORDING MERCHANDISERS: NOW IT’S A PARTY

HOT STAFF
FREE BOOZE
MEH
I’M SORRY
BUT THESE
TWO DUDES
NOW
IT’S A PARTY

FOR REAL, YOU GUYS, I THOUGHT I MIGHT JUST BAIL
‘TIL THESE TWO STARTED BRANDISHING THEIR PENTATONIC SCALES
IT’S GIVING ME DUELING BANJOS EXCEPT THEY BOTH HAVE ALL THEIR TEETH
AND AN EXTRA BEAT
IT’S FIRE

LOOK EVEN STARBUCKS GUY IS FREAKING ON THE SOUND
OF THIS KID AND POPPER PLAYING LIKE TO KNOCK EACH OTHER DOWN
IT’S GIVING ME GLADIATOR EXCEPT WITHOUT ALL OF THE PAIN
ARE WE NOT ENTERTAINED?
IT’S FIRE

CHRIS: Shh! Lord Starbucks speaks!

LORD STARBUCKS:
I HOPE YOU’RE ALL HAVING FUN
WITH THIS WEE JOUST
BETWEEN MY PLUS ONES
I HAD A FEELING THEY’D PICK UP THE PARTY’S SLACK
BUT MY WORK HERE IS FAR FROM DONE
FOR I MUST CHOOSE THE ROOFTOP’S CHAMPION
WILL IT BE POPPER OR THE KID FROM NICKELBACK

RECORDING MERCHANDISERS: CREEK

LORD STARBUCKS: Whatever.

RECORDING MERCHANDISERS: FELLOW MUSIC BUYERS

WHICH SHOWOFF SHALL BE BLESSED TONIGHT?
WHICH SHOWOFF IS SUPERIOR?
WHICH SHOWOFF MOST DESERVES THE RIGHT
TO USE US AS HIS MIRROR?
AND INDEED THE MUSIC LOVING WORLD
WHEN THIS CONVENTION’S OVER?
LORD STARBUCKS WILL DECIDE—

LORD STARBUCKS:
BUT NOT JUST YET I’M MUCH TOO SOBER

CHRIS: And off he went, towards the open bar, leaving Popper and I to—ouch! Damn you, Popper…

…so, as you can hear, Popper and I had pretty much jousted ourselves into a stalemate, when Lord Starbucks came blustering back into our midst with a pitcher of vodka Red Bull in one hand, a fresh stack of solo cups in the other, and a wild look in his eyes, all out of breath like:

LORD STARBUCKS: You guys, Princess Leia is over there!

CHRIS: What, you mean like someone’s wearing the hair buns, or…not the bikini from Jabba’s Palace?

LORD STARBUCKS: No, no, man, real life Princess Leia. Literal Carrie Fisher. Swear to God. She’s in that…cabana-looking thing, next to the bar!”

CHRIS: Wait…so you’re saying…like actual Carrie Fisher is…but…she’s like the most…oh my God, I’ve been obsessed since, um…”the more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.” And like “You stuck up, half-witted, scruffy looking nerf-herder!” Ack! I mean, dude…Carrie Fisher’s realization of the character, General (nee Princess) Leia Organa, or, depending on whether you count the pre-sequel-release novels as canon or not, Leia Organa Solo, completely formed my concept of ‘Woman’! To which I’m sure she would say (as she did to Han) ‘well, I guess you don’t know everything about women yet.’

LORD STARBUCKS: Are you…playing the Princess Leia music from Star Wars…on the ukulele?!?

CHRIS: Mandolin.

LORD STARBUCKS: Whatever. It rocks. You rock. More than him.

RECORDING MERCHANDISERS: HEAR ALL YE MUSIC BUYERS

THIS SHOWOFF SHALL BE BLESSED TONIGHT
THIS SHOWOFF IS SUPERIOR
AND ALL BECAUSE LORD STARBUCKS, HIGH ON TAURINE, DRUNK ON POWER
SPIES FAIR PRINCESS LEIA ONE SECOND
HEARS HER THEME THE NEXT GAME OVER

LORD STARBUCKS:
JUST ONE MORE THING, SIR NICKELBACK,
YOU’VE GOTTA PLAY IT FOR HER

CHRIS: Hahaha…oh, man, if only!”

LORD STARBUCKS: No, dude, for real, I’m serious.
YOU’RE GONNA PLAY IT FOR HER

Carrie Freaking Fisher

CHRIS: No, no, no, that is NOT a good idea…I know I know, but she’s probably just trying to chill—
AWW, BUCKLE UP, Y’ALL
‘CAUSE THIS GUY JUST WON’T BE DETERRED
KEEPS SAYING ‘C’MON, MAN,
SHE’LL BE PSYCHED TO HEAR WHAT I JUST HEARD
AND THE TRUTH IS NOW THERE’S NOTHING I WANT MORE ON GOD’S GREEN EARTH
THAN TO PLAY FOR HER ATTENTION

AND I’VE NEVER FELT MORE TENSION IN MY LIFE
NOW THAT I’VE LET HIM HERD ME
INTO THIS WEIRD CABANA
WITH CARRIE FISHER, SOME GUY, AND THEIR HORS D’OEUVRES
AND SEEING THIS
LORD STARBUCKS LEAVES WITHOUT A GODDAMN WORD
AS SHE GIVES ME HER ATTENTION

Um…hi, Ms. Fisher, I’m so sorry about this. I’m Chris, and…I mean, like literally everyone, I’m a huge fan, and…uh, this guy—who just left?—told me…oh God, it doesn’t matter, just, here. I wanted to play this for you.

…and right about here, the guy she’s with is like, “What’s he doing?” to which she replies, with a kind of far off look in her eyes, “He’s playing my theme.”

OH GOD SHE’S PROBABLY TRYING
TO DREAM HERSELF A ROOFTOP
A GALAXY FROM HERE
AND A LIFETIME AWAY
WHERE NO ONE KNOWS HER
AS AN ALDERAANIAN PRINCESS
WITH A PRETTY THEME TO HEAR ME PLAY

Anyway, I…think you’re amazing, and I’m really, really sorry for—

And she went, “Shhh…” and she reached over to their tray of light apps, picked up a little cube of bread, and…she fed it to me.

AND I DREAMT A NEW HALL
GREAT WITH PEOPLE
WHO COME NOT KNOWING
WHAT THEY’RE ABOUT TO HEAR
PEOPLE LIKE YOU ALL
AND CARRIE FREAKING FISHER
WHO ATTEND THE WORLD WITH OPEN EARS

I DREAM ME MORE LIKE YOU ALL AND CARRIE FREAKING FISHER…

SO LITTLE BIRDIE, LITTLE BIRDIE
COME SING TO ME YOUR SONG
I’VE A SHORT TIME TO BE WITH YOU
AND A LONG TIME TO BE GONE

LITTLE BIRDIE, LEMME HEAR YOU
LEMME HEAR YOU RUN YOUR MOUTH AND SHRED
LEMME BE YOUR ROOFTOP FULL OF REVELERS
AND YOUR HERO’S CUBE OF BREAD

‘CAUSE LITTLE BIRDIE, I WANNA LISTEN
I WANNA LEARN THE THINGS YOU KNOW
I WANNA GIVE YOU ALL OF MY ATTENTION
SO BEFORE I LET YOU GO

LITTLE BIRDIE, LITTLE BIRDIE
COME SING TO ME YOUR SONG
I’VE A SHORT TIME TO BE WITH YOU
AND A LONG TIME TO BE GONE

YOU: LITTLE BIRDIE, LITTLE BIRDIE
COME SING TO ME YOUR SONG
I’VE A SHORT TIME TO BE WITH YOU
AND A LONG TIME TO BE GONE