About the song
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Words from the artist’s archive
Phantom Buzz lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
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Intro
Two AM, the ceiling cracked, the shadows creep The world is wide awake, but we just walk in sleep
Verse 1
Blue light special, yeah, I’m drowning in the glow Watching strangers live a life I’ll never really know Pull the handle down, refresh, it’s just a slot machine Chasing dopamine hits through a cracked and dirty screen Room is pitch black, but my eyes are burning red Arguments in comments with some people who are dead Surrounded by the noise, yeah, a million voices loud But I haven't spoke a word in hours to the crowd
Pre-chorus
Typing dots are bubbling, then they fade away Waiting for a text that ain't coming out today Three likes on the selfie, so I delete it in shame Losing every round of this digital game
Chorus
We got a thousand friends but nobody is home We trade the front porch for the glass and the chrome It’s a phantom buzz, I swear I felt it vibrate Living for the feed while we leave it up to fate Connected to the world, but I’m lonely in the room Just a blue face glowing in the middle of the gloom
Verse 2
Now I’m the PR manager, curating the lies Crop the messy room out, put a filter on the eyes Dinner table silent, yeah, we staring at our laps Showing memes to lover, falling right into the traps Fifty photos taken just to post the one that sticks Selling you a lifestyle that needs a couple fix They say chase your dreams, well I’m chasing engagement While my real life is rotting down here in the basement
Pre-chorus
Typing dots are bubbling, then they fade away Waiting for a text that ain't coming out today Three likes on the selfie, so I delete it in shame Losing every round of this digital game
Chorus
We got a thousand friends but nobody is home We trade the front porch for the glass and the chrome It’s a phantom buzz, I swear I felt it vibrate Living for the feed while we leave it up to fate Connected to the world, but I’m lonely in the room Just a blue face glowing in the middle of the gloom
Bridge
Battery is dying and the silence hits the wall Terrified to look up, gotta stumble and I fall Glass wall separates us, I can see but cannot touch We have followers for days, but it don’t mean very much
Verse 3
Comparison is poison, yeah, I’m drinking from the cup Hating on a stranger cause their numbers going up Subway car is crowded, shoulder to shoulder we stand But everybody’s mind is in the device in their hand Dog whistle notification, make me jump and start While the anxiety is tearing us apart Turn it off, black screen, see the reflection is true Just a lonely silhouette staring right back at you
Chorus
We got a thousand friends but nobody is home We trade the front porch for the glass and the chrome It’s a phantom buzz, I swear I felt it vibrate Living for the feed while we leave it up to fate Connected to the world, but I’m lonely in the room Just a blue face glowing in the middle of the gloom
Outro
No one to move the couch, just friends on the net The most connected generation, full of regret Phantom buzz... did you feel that? Yeah... did you feel that?
Inside the recording
Two AM, the ceiling cracked, the shadows creep The world is wide awake, but we just walk in sleep
Typing dots are bubbling, then they fade away Waiting for a text that ain't coming out today
No one to move the couch, just friends on the net The most connected generation, full of regret
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.