In "Penelope," Rex Orange County remembers loving a dancer whose grace drew everyone in, yet she never returned that devotion. Her family saw the imbalance in their kitchen, and the gap between them stayed open. Now that she has stopped dancing and cannot move alone, he recalls how he performed for her, shuffling and even flying, until her departure left him with only his own hands. The song mourns unreciprocated effort and the quiet ache of being unseen.
Penelope Lyrics by Rex Orange County
I was alone at your recital, you were open like a Bible
On your toes you circled like a halo
All the girls beside you, the leotards confined you
I was getting lost inside your faint glow
I never told you how much everyone adored you
By the time the words would reach me, you’d be halfway home
And that day in your kitchen, your family knew I loved you
And they all knew you didn’t and we never closed the difference
Penelope, you’re not dancing anymore
I heard he took your hand, but your feet stayed on the floor
Penelope, you never learned to dance alone
But just remember how I did it every time you came along
You never watched me as I moved my body
To any floor that your green eyes would fall on
Waved my hands in silence as the only trees passed by us
Shuffled and I shuffled, someone even seen me fly once
Back and forth I traveled, I could never change the channel
Stood naked on the field when I knew I’d lost the battle
And when you finally left, no, I could never learn the steps
I fell so far behind that all I had were my own hands
Penelope, you’re not dancing anymore
I heard he took your hand, but your feet stayed on the floor
Penelope, you never learned to dance alone
But just remember how I did it every time you came along
