Rewrite This Story is an original song first featured in Musical Chairs, the seventh episode of the second season of Smash. The song was written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The version released as a single features Katharine McPhee (Karen Cartwright) and Jeremy Jordan (Jimmy Collins) on lead vocals.
In the context of Hit List, it tells about the hardships both Jimmy and Amanda have felt during their lives. Jimmy has grown up on the streets, takes/took drugs, and has been abused. Whereas Amanda has had everything she has ever wanted. She lives in a large apartment with her family and wants to be famous. She also speaks about how her hardships with making it big in the music business.
Lyrics[]
Jesse:
There's a block on the edge of this town no one talks about
Where the train doesn't stop and the kids know they're not getting out
You live in a loop of smokes on the stoop, counting the coins you got
You work at a bar where all that you are is everything you're not
Someone tell me when I can start again
And rewrite this story
How long can I stay lost without a way to rewrite
I wish I could rewrite this story
Amanda:
Pretty face, pretty voice; pretty much someone they forget
Hard to tell me apart from the ten other girls they just met
"We can't see the hook, we can't sell the look", I hear it every day
"You won't be a star if you're who you are", so I just fade away
Make me someone new
Tell me what I do to rewrite this story
Both:
How long can I stay lost without a way to rewrite
I wish I could rewrite this story
Change every word of every line
Write any story but mine
Someone tell me when can I start again
And rewrite this story
Yeah, yeah
How long can I stay lost without a way to rewrite
Rewrite
I wish I could rewrite this story
Videos[]
Smash - Rewrite This Story (Lyrics)