Track 8 of the album Toast Left Unsaid · 2026
Retirement Party Slow Dance, Cake Left Out
by Veda Monroe
“An empty banquet room and a cake nobody finished. The last dance of somebody's career, and I wanted it to feel proud.”
r&b · quiet storm · slow jam · 3:21
Lyrics
Banquet room is empty, balloons drifting low Cake still on the table, candles in a row Grandpa takes Grandma by the hand, says one more song Forty-five years married, and he still moves along Speaker playing something old from the year they met Slow feet on the carpet, no regrets, no sweat He retired this evening, but he's not slowing down Just changing up the rhythm in this little town Take my hand, take my hand Time is on our side again Slow dance, slow dance, cake left out Nothing in the world to be nervous about Soft lights, soft lights, shoes in the hall Love is the only clock at all Slow dance, slow dance, cake left out This is what the waiting was about She whispers all the plans they put away for years The trip to the coast, the little house, no fears He laughs and spins her gently, her skirt a gentle swirl Silver in his hair, she's still his favorite girl Staff stacking the chairs, smiling at the pair Nobody wants to interrupt the tender air Take my hand, take my hand Time is on our side again Slow dance, slow dance, cake left out Nothing in the world to be nervous about Soft lights, soft lights, shoes in the hall Love is the only clock at all Slow dance, slow dance, cake left out This is what the waiting was about Forty years of mornings and he never missed a day Now the evening's all his own, dancing all the way Hold me close, hold me tight The best is still the night Slow dance, slow dance, cake left out Nothing in the world to be nervous about Soft lights, soft lights, shoes in the hall Love is the only clock at all Slow dance, slow dance, cake left out This is what the waiting was about Slow dance Cake left out