Step into the spotlight with “The Life of a Showgirl,” the glittering closer on Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album of the same name, dropping October 3, 2025, through Republic Records. This 12-track pop extravaganza reunites Swift with hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback for the first time since Reputation, channeling the backstage highs and lows of her Eras Tour era into infectious anthems full of vivid lyrics and carefree energy. Inspired by the “exuberant, electric” chaos of life as a global superstar, the album captures Swift’s inner world offstage, from Shakespearean twists to modern romance, all wrapped in orange and mint green glitter aesthetics that scream new era.
As the finale, “The Life of a Showgirl” features a duet with Sabrina Carpenter, turning the title track into a mentor-protégé powerhouse that fans are already calling a potential chart-topper. The lyrics tell the story of a showgirl named Kitty, whose life of fame is marked by both admiration and harsh realities. Through evocative verses and a haunting chorus, the duo explores themes of ambition, resilience, and the often unseen toll fame takes. From the dazzling moments on stage to the bruises earned behind the scenes, the song reveals how showgirls navigate a world where beauty and talent come with steep costs. The repeated motif of “Thank you for the lovely bouquet” adds a bittersweet tone, symbolizing the facade and the sacrifices made.
It’s a fitting cap to an album stacked with gems like the lead single “The Fate of Ophelia” and emotional pivots such as “Eldest Daughter” and “Father Figure,” blending literary nods to Hamlet and Elizabeth Taylor with fresh takes on love and legacy. With a theatrical release party hitting AMC screens October 3-5, complete with the “Ophelia” video and lyric reels, this project’s rollout feels like Swift’s boldest yet, proving she’s still the master of her narrative. Dive into the The Life of a Showgirl lyrics below and unpack its dazzling finale. Don’t miss other tracks like Ruin the Friendship for more of Swift’s glitter-gel-pen pop.
| Lead Vocals | Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter |
| Songwriter | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Music Producer | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Composer | Taylor Swift, Max Martin & Shellback |
| Mastering Engineer | Randy Merrill & Ryan Smith |
| Produced At | Shellback Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) & MXM Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) |
| Engineer | Lasse Mårtén, Willem Bleeker & Erik Arvinder |
| Mixing Engineer | Șerban Ghenea |
| Distributor | Universal Music Group |
| Label | Republic Records |
| Release Date | October 3, 2025 |
| Song Language | English |
| Copyright © | Taylor Swift |
| Recorded At | Shellback Studios (Stockholm, Sweden) |
| Publisher | MXM Music, Universal Music Group, TASRM PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music & Sabalicious Songs |
Lyrics of The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter
[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]
Her Name Was Kitty
Made Her Money Being Pretty And Witty
They Gave Her The Keys To This City
Then They Said She Didn’t Do It Legitly, Uh
I Bought A Ticket
She’s Dancing In Her Garters And Fishnets
Fifty In The Cast, Zero Missteps
Looking Back, I Guess It Was Kismet
[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift]
I Waited By The Stage Door
Packed In With The Autograph
Hounds Barking Her Name
Then Glowing Like The End Of A Cigarette
Wow, She Came Out
I Said, “You’re Living My Dream”
Then She Said To Me
[Chorus: Taylor Swift]
“Hey, Thank You For The Lovely Bouquet
You’re Sweeter Than A Peach
But You Don’t Know The Life Of A Showgirl, Babe
And You’re Never, Ever Gonna
Wait, The More You Play, The More That You Pay
You’re Softer Than A Kitten, So
You Don’t Wanna Know The Life Of A Showgirl, Babe
And You’re Never Gonna Wanna”
[Verse 2: Sabrina Carpenter]
She Was A Menace
The Baby Of The Family In Lenox
Her Father Whored Around Like All Men Did
Her Mother Took Pills And Played Tennis
[Pre-Chorus: Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift]
So She Waited By The Stage Door
Asked The Club For More To Arrive
She Said, “I’d Sell My Soul To Have A Taste Of A Magnificent Life”
It’s All Mine
But That’s Not What Showgirls Get
They Leave Us For Death
[Chorus: Sabrina Carpenter & Taylor Swift]
Hey, Thank You For The Lovely Bouquet
You’re Sweeter Than A Peach
But You Don’t Know The Life Of A Showgirl,Babe
And You’re Never, Ever Gonna
Wait, The More You Play, The More That You Pay
You’re Softer Than A Kitten So
You Don’t Know The Life Of A Showgirl, Babe
And You’re Never Gonna Wanna
[Bridge: Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter]
I Took Her Pearls Of Wisdom
Hung Them From My Neck
I Paid My Dues With Every Bruise
I Knew What To Expect
You Wanna Take A Skate On The Ice Inside My Veins
They Ripped Off Me Off Like False Lashes
And Then Threw Me Away
And All The Headshots On The Walls
Of The Dance Hall Are Of The Bitches
Who Wish I’d Hurry Up And Die
But, I’m Immortal Now, Baby Dolls
I Couldn’t If I Try, So I Say
[Chorus: Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter]
“Hey, Thank You For The Lovely Bouquet
I’m Married To The Hustle
And Now I Know The Life Of A Showgirl, Babe
And I’ll Never Know Another
Pain Hidden By The Lipstick And Lace (And Lace)
Sequins Are Forever And Now I Know The Life Of A Showgirl, Babe
Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way
(Thank You For The Lovely Bouquet) Have It Any Other
(Thank You For Lovely Bouquet)
And Now I’m Making Money Being Pretty And Witty
Thank You For The Lovely Bouquet
[Spoken Outro: Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter]
Thank You For An Unforgettable Night
We Will See You Next Time
Give It Up For The Band
And The Dancers
And Of Course, Sabrina
I Love You, Taylor
That’s Our Show
We Love You So Much
Goodnight
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