TOP OF SHOW
[the stage is set up like that of a dance recital. It should be minimalistic and allow lots of control of the intensity and color of light. Personally, I picture neon lights also being worked into the design of the set. Additionally, in my head I see two different colored lights representing the characters. When we're focusing on GUILT, the color is blue. When we're focusing on LONESOME, the color is pink. When they collide, the color is purple. This design choice is not integral to the story, so feel free to imagine it differently, but regardless, the show should be bright, flashy, and dazzling. A similar energy to 5SOS's live performances of this album.]
[as lights come up for top of show, GUILT and LONESOME should start from a recognizable tableau, perhaps a pose just after a life-changing kiss. This is important for later.]
SONG ONE: YOUNGBLOOD
[Youngblood is a game that both characters love playing: who's hurt who more. It's desperate, carnal, and dangerous. But they love the danger. Perhaps they even love the pain. This relationship has happened before, and it will happen again.]
GUILT
Remember the words you told me, love me 'til the day I die
Surrendered my everything 'cause you made me believe you're mine
Yeah, you used to call me baby, now you're calling me by name
LONESOME
Takes one to know one
GUILT
Yeah, you beat me at my own damn game
[GUILT has the upper hand in the power dynamic.]
GUILT
You push and you push and I'm pulling away
Pulling away from you
I give and I give and I give and you take, give and you take
LONESOME
(as if to say "then actually say it, and I'm gone. But you won't because you need me.")
Youngblood,
Say you want me
Say you want me
Out of your life
And I'm just a dead man walking tonight
But you need it, yeah, you need it
All of the time
GUILT
(admitting it)
Youngblood,
Say you want me
Say you want me
Back in your life
So I'm just a dead man crawling tonight
'Cause I need it, yeah, I need it
All of the time
[now LONESOME has the upper hand.]
LONESOME
Lately our conversations end like it's the last goodbye
Then one of us gets too drunk and calls about a hundred times
So who you been calling baby, nobody could take my place
When you're looking at those strangers, hope to God you see my face
GUILT
(as if to say "I won't leave until you tell me to")
Youngblood,
Say you want me
Say you want me
Out of your life
YOU ARE READING
Youngblood: a 5SOS Jukebox Musical Script
Romance"Babylon has fallen, has fallen." This is a musical created from the lyrics of 5SOS's album Youngblood. It tells the story of a cyclical toxic relationship. Where both people keep getting hurt, but for those brief moments when things are good, every...
