[Intro] [Creepy minor-key saloon piano, slow creeping bassline] [Theatrical, whispered male vocals] Welcome to Los Angeles. Leave your bags at the door. You won't be needing them. [Verse 1] [Fast, bouncy dark cabaret rhythm, syncopated drums] There’s a monster in the mattress and a demon in the hall A neon sign is buzzing right outside the bloodstained wall The Detective is deciphering a biblical design While the Countess drinks her lovers like a glass of vintage wine! Step into the lobby, let Liz Taylor pour a drink It’s a lot more permanent than you would ever think! [Pre-Chorus] [Heavy tom drums, creeping pizzicato strings building tension] We’re sewing up the pieces, we’re hiding in the walls We’re answering the devil every single time he calls! [Chorus] [Explosive vaudeville punk, heavy brass, driving distorted guitars, huge emo belting] Oh, welcome to the Cortez, darling, won't you step inside? It’s a beautifully violent, never-ending ride! We’ve got a room on the seventh floor, a glamorous disease Where you can check out any time, but you can never leave! So sharpen up your scissors and polish up your knives We’re staying at the Cortez for the rest of our damn lives! [Verse 2] [Sleazy jazz bassline, staccato rhythm, arrogant crooning] Mister March is hosting dinner for the killers of the past Pouring absinthe for the Zodiac and hoping it will last There are children in the basement who haven't aged a day And a ghost inside the corridor who never went away The Ten Commandments written in a masterpiece of gore Just another lovely evening down in Room 64! [Pre-Chorus] [Theatrical tension building, swirling carnival organ, aggressive snare roll] We’re sewing up the pieces, we’re hiding in the walls We’re answering the devil every single time he calls! [Chorus] [Maximum energy, massive call-and-response backing vocals] Oh, welcome to the Cortez, darling, won't you step inside? It’s a beautifully violent, never-ending ride! We’ve got a room on the seventh floor, a glamorous disease Where you can check out any time, but you can never leave! So sharpen up your scissors and polish up your knives We’re staying at the Cortez for the rest of our damn lives! [Bridge] [Tempo drops dramatically. Slow, heavy waltz rhythm, haunting piano] [Vocals are raw and desperate] Miss Evers scrubs the linens, but the stains will never fade It’s an everlasting, bloody, Hollywood masquerade We’re just spirits in the hallway looking for a brand new thrill Waiting for the Countess to move in for the kill! [Instrumental Solo] [Frantic, melodic pop-punk guitar solo over a double-time blast beat dueling with a blaring trumpet] [Final Chorus] [Explosive return! Key change for maximum theatrical drama] Oh, welcome to the Cortez, darling, won't you step inside? It’s a beautifully violent, never-ending ride! We’ve got a room on the seventh floor, a glamorous disease Where you can check out any time, but you can never leave! So sharpen up your scissors and polish up your knives We’re staying at the Cortez for the rest of our damn lives! [Outro] [Fast, chaotic cabaret breakdown] For the rest of our lives! (Down in Room 64!) For the rest of our lives! (Leave your bags at the door!) Welcome to the Cortez! [Heavy piano chord rings out to absolute silence]
