Shave It All Off

(album: Operation: Wake Up - 2020)

Our story begins in a Los Angeles mansion
That ageing artist Mike Posner is renting for the week
He's in LA to write songs for other, more famous artists
We join him as his barber Tracy arrives at the mansion to give him a haircut
"What up doe Tracy?"
"Hey Mike! Welcome back to LA! How you doing?"

I guess I'm famous again
Shave off the beard
I think when we do it it's gon' take off a year
Privacy for press, the trade off is weird
But really it's my last chance to stave off the fear of being famous again
Got me back in LA
I sold my house here but I can't get away
I got a session today with the singer Jessie J
I'm renting this mansion where I'll stay
(Turn your head this way)
(So how you want it cut?)
Well, I think that the green is played
And to be honest I've been feeling kinda off these days
It's something happening inside me, I can feel the change
These people want a fucking show? Okay
Shave it all off!
(Hey, Mike are-are you okay? Are you sure?)
Just shave it all off!
(As your barber I gotta shoot you straight)
(This isn't going to look good, you're making a mistake)

And who are you to tell me that I'm wrong?
(I'm just trying to be your friend and let you know)
I never really liked you anyway
(Mike, that's not true, take that back)
Just shave it all off
You're just another girl now with a song
(Really? Chill out)
And I'm just another sad man in LA
(Don't say that, come on)

(So how's Noelle doing anyways?)
T, we broke up in May
(Serious? I didn't know, are you okay?)
Yeah, I'm okay
(What happened?)
Didn't take that long to figure out it wasn't working
She was sad I was touring, wasn't worth it
(That's tough, how'd you word it?)
Well I texted her tha
(You texted her?)
I know I'm a bad person
But it all felt cursed when she would sit around and drink and shit
You can't be rescued by a sinking ship
(That's true)
So I pushed what I loved away
(But why?)
Some people can't take LA
(That's a cop-out)
I guess that I was one of them
(That's bullshit)
It's not bullshit, I'm one of them
(I think you messed up)

But who are you to tell me that I'm wrong?
She never really liked me anyway
Just shave it all off!
She's just another girl now with a song
And I'm just another sad man in LA

Okay
Shave it all off
(Okay, here it goes)
(Do you want the top a little longer? Like maybe a number 1 or some... number 2?)
Just shave it all off!
(Okay, you don't have to yell)
(Someone's moody today)
(Chill out, y'know)
I'm really sorry, Tracy... I... I didn't mean to yell at you... I just
(Mike, I know you're under pressure)
Yeah
(But you should take it easy)
I know
(Hey, whats that on your dresser?)
Nothing, just a bottle of cologne
(Nah, next to that)
Hey, Tracy, just leave it alone
(Okay, where's your session at?)
Paramount on Santa Monica at 2
Meeting black bear for dinner in the Valley when it's through
(Well, your hair's done, look in the mirror)
Nah I don't need to
People who stare into mirrors are all see through
(Well, let me wipe the hair from your face, it's all messy)
It's fine, I'm 'bout to shower, I got this session with Jessie