What is it that we're living for?
Applause, applause!
Nothing I know brings on the glow
Like sweet applause
You're thinking you're through
That nobody cares
Then suddenly you
Hear it starting

And somehow you're in charge again
And life's a ball
Trumpets all sing, life seems to swing
And you're the king of it all, 'cause
You've had a taste of
The sound that says love:
Applause, applause, applause!

When I was eight I was in a school play
I'll never forget it; I had one line to say
My big moment came
I said, "What ho! the prince!"
My sister applauded
I've been hooked ever since

It's better than pot
It's better than booze
A shot of applause will stamp out the blues
You work til you're dead
It ain't for the bread
Call me out of my head

Your bank account's bare
Your cat has the flu
You're losing your hair
Then you hear it

That happy sounds rolls over you
And just like that
Everything's right, this is the night
Love hits you right where you're at
'Cause you've had a taste of
The sound that says love:
Applause, applause

It's wondrous applause
Thunderous applause
Beautiful, soaring, magnificent roaring
It's better than pot, it's better than booze
A shot of applause will stamp out the blues
Whatever you do you do better because
You're doing it to the beat of applause!
And nothing can beat the beat of applause
When you hear it...

Why do we work our asses off?
What is it for?
Pains disappear
Soon as you hear
That happy audience roar, 'cause
You've had a taste of
The sound that says love:
Applause, applause, applause!