On ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter Explore the Price of Fame

THE RUNDOWN

• Taylor Swift has released her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.
• The title track, featuring Sabrina Carpenter, is all about the price of fame.
• “You don’t know the life of a showgirl, babe / And you’re never ever gonna,” they sing.

Taylor Swift is back with her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. The final song, which is also the title track featuring Sabrina Carpenter, is all about the true price of fame.

It tells the story of a woman named Kitty, who “made her money being pretty and witty.” The narrator admits to being jealous of Kitty’s success, but Kitty dismisses the praise, saying, “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.”

From there, the song delves into Kitty’s backstory: “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.” Shaped by a turbulent childhood, Kitty yearned for a “taste of a magnificent life, that’s all mine.” But, as the song continues, “That’s not what showgirls get / They leave us for dead.”

By the end of the track, the perspective shifts, and the narrator achieves fame of her own and finally understands what it means to live as a showgirl. “Hey Kitty, now I’m making money being pretty and witty,” she sings.

“The Life of a Showgirl” is Swift and Carpenter’s first song together. Rumors of the collaboration began when Swift’s fan page, Taylor Nation, posted a photo carousel with the caption, “Thinking about when she said ‘See you next era…’” The final slide showed Carpenter and Swift performing onstage during the Eras Tour.

Shortly after, Swift revealed the tracklist, confirming Carpenter as her only feature.

Listen to the full song and read the lyrics below, courtesy of Genius:

[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]

Her name was KittyMade her money being pretty and wittyThey gave her the keys to this cityThen they said she didn’t do it legitly, uhI bought a ticketShe’s dancing in her garters and fishnetsFifty in the cast, zero missteps

Looking back, I guess it was kismet

[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift]

I waited by the stage doorPacked in with the autographHounds barking her nameThen glowing like the end of a cigaretteWow, she came outI said, “You’re living my drеam”

Then she said to me

[Chorus: Taylor Swift]

“Hеy, thank you for the lovely bouquetYou’re sweeter than a peachBut you don’t know the life of a showgirl, babeAnd you’re never, ever gonnaWait, the more you play, the more that you payYou’re softer than a kitten, soYou don’t wanna know the life of a showgirl, babe

And you’re never gonna wanna”

[Verse 2: Sabrina Carpenter]

She was a menaceThe baby of the family in LenoxHer 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 doorAsked the club for more to arriveShe said, “I’d sell my soul to have a taste of a magnificent life”It’s all mineBut that’s not what showgirls get

They leave us for dead

[Chorus: Sabrina Carpenter, Sabrina Carpenter & Taylor Swift]

Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquetYou’re sweeter than a peachBut you don’t know the life of a showgirl, babeAnd you’re never, ever gonnaWait, the more you play, the more that you payYou’re softer than a kitten soYou 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 wisdomHung them from my neckI paid my dues with every bruiseI knew what to expectYou wanna take a skate on the ice inside my veinsThey ripped off me off like false lashesAnd then threw me awayAnd all the headshots on the wallsOf the dance hall are of the bitchesWho wish I’d hurry up and dieBut, I’m immortal now, baby dolls

I couldn’t if I tried, so I say

[Chorus: Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift & Sabrina Carpenter, Sabrina Carpenter]

Hey, thank you for the lovely bouquetI’m married to the hustleAnd now I know the life of a showgirl, babeAnd I’ll never know anotherPain hidden by the lipstick and lace (And lace)Sequins are forever and now I know the life of a showgirl, babeWouldn’t have it any other way(Thank you for the lovely bouquet) Wouldn’t have it any other way(Thank you for lovely bouquet)Hey Kitty, 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 nightWe will see you next timeGive it up for the bandAnd the dancersAnd of course, SabrinaI love you, TaylorThat’s our showWe love you so much

Goodnight