Brave face, stiff upper lip
Will do the trick
Look, the mask is firm, the face is mine,
It seems fine
until the final day
I've played this part the only way I can
For to live, I have to give,
The performance of my life

What's the [bad word] 
Well I won't bore you with the [bad word] I knew it would be tough
Right from day one
But you go on
Until the final day
I've played this part the only way I can
For to live, I have to give
The performance of my life

Made it to the top
Although the road was steep
and there I had a dream
vision of love revealed in sleep

Right on cue
I fell in love with you
You caused many a tear
I had applause
I had a career
Until the final day
I've played the part the only way I can
For to live, I have to give
The performance of my life

___________________________________
В интервью газете Sunday Express Ширли так отозвалась о песне, записанной для ее нового альбома Нилом и Крисом:
«Мне нравятся все песни (с нового альбома), но песня Pet Shop Boys "The Performance of My Life" попала прямиком в мою голову, заставила меня прослезиться - и немногие песни способны на это. Теперь мне кажется, что мне необязательно писать книгу. Песня - моя автобиография.»