Track 9 of the album Soft Launch · 2024
Last Show at the Rialto
by Veda Monroe
“An old cinema, velvet seats, and the end of something. I wanted to give it the dignity it deserves.”
r&b · nostalgic soul · quiet storm · 3:21
Lyrics
Small-town cinema, one screen glowing Velvet seats worn from all the coming and going Ticket booth lady knows my name by heart Popcorn smell like the place where we start Back row, two coats, one shared armrest You pretended to watch while I pretended less Flicker on your face, blue and gold light I'd have watched you all night Now the marquee's dimming But the lights stay in me Roll the last reel at the Rialto Let the credits crawl slow, let the whole town know We were here, we were young, we were bright on the wall Roll the last reel at the Rialto Hold my hand through the dark till the house lights fall Some things end, but the glow stays on Sticky floors and the sound turned up Kids in the front row with a soda cup Old man claps when the hero wins Every small town needs a place like this You walked me home down Main Street quiet Streetlights humming like a soft goodbye I kept the ticket stub in my coat Folded small like a love note Now the marquee's dimming But the lights stay in me Roll the last reel at the Rialto Let the credits crawl slow, let the whole town know We were here, we were young, we were bright on the wall Roll the last reel at the Rialto Hold my hand through the dark till the house lights fall Some things end, but the glow stays on If the doors close tonight, I will still remember The hush before the picture, the warm of December Thank you for the dark, thank you for the light Thank you for the seat beside me on that night Roll the last reel at the Rialto Let the credits crawl slow, let the whole town know We were here, we were young, we were bright on the wall Roll the last reel at the Rialto Hold my hand through the dark till the house lights fall Some things end, but the glow stays on Lights come up slow The glow stays on