Act Like Nothing Happened

Am I supposed to laugh, as if nothing's wrong?
Each day passes... as if nothing's wrong.

I've watched more than a dozen performances of this song. That one part always strikes me -- the pause where the music stops, the stage lights go out, and all that's left in the darkness are the shrieks and cries of fans wielding their glowing batons.

Rumor has it that this song was written for his ex, and that he chose his career over her.

I've always wondered what it's like for her to listen to this song, to see it performed like this. The fans clamor for him, outstretched hands flailing for just one touch of his skin, parched throats chanting his name like a prayer. They'd cut him into a million pieces and take him home with them if they could. He couldn't belong only to her, not when there would be millions in the world screaming for his name.

He doesn't sing this song anymore.