"STOPPING TIME (ON THE SEWING LINE" by Gem

[INTRO] (A bright, energetic brass fanfare fires off, immediately answered by a driving, walking bassline, a rolling snare drum, and a continuous, sharp tambourine hitting every single downbeat.) [SISTERS — High harmony stack] (Ooh-la-la, stop the clock...) [GEM — Rich, warm lead] Yeah, watch the pendulum swing! [VERSE 1 — Classic Motown Rhythm] [GEM] I used to look at history like pages on a shelf [SISTERS] (Pages on a shelf!) [GEM] Just counting up the numbers, keeping secrets to myself [SISTERS] (Keeping to yourself!) [GEM] But then you stepped right through the door and altered the design Now we’re stitching up a family on a golden sewing line! [PRE-CHORUS — The Horn Swell] (The baritone sax chugs heavily on the low notes, and the trumpet section builds a major-chord crescendo.) [GEM] My heart was running cold like a winter in the West [SISTERS] (Ooh, but you know best!) [GEM] But you brought the sunshine out to put my logic to the test! [CHORUS — The Big Supremes Hook] (The handclaps layer on top of the driving snare drum. The whole track opens up into a sweeping, joyful, foot-stomping wall of sound.) [GEM & SISTERS — Full Layered Harmony] Stop the clock, let the engine spin! Open up the doors, let the love walk in! By the Star, we are mapped in the songs we share, By the Relic, we're anchored and we're standing right there! You can travel every mile, you can sail across the sea, But you're always coming home to the family! (Tambourine shake / Brass hit) --- [VERSE 2 — Walking Bass Pocket] [GEM] Taida's down there dancing to a brand new groovy beat [SISTERS] (Dancing in the street!) [GEM] And Aida's baking something sweet for everyone to eat [SISTERS] (Something real sweet!) [GEM] Jewel's got the perimeter, she's keeping out the cold While we're turning every memory into Motown gold! [BRIDGE — The Classic Break] (The heavy drums drop out. Just the driving, melodic bassline and the sharp handclaps keeping time while the horn section plays a sweet, swinging melody.) [SISTERS] (Stop... stop... don't you let it tick away...) [GEM — Soulful, building up from a whisper to a full belt] I used to think that time was a line I had to trace... Until I saw the laughter painted all across your face! Oh, hit the drums, let it roll! [FINAL CHORUS — Peak 1960s Energy] (The full band comes slamming back in at maximum volume, bright, clean, and incredibly infectious.) [GEM & SISTERS] Stop the clock, let the engine spin! Open up the doors, let the love walk in! By the Star, we are mapped in the songs we share, By the Relic, we're anchored and we're standing right there! You can travel every mile, you can sail across the sea, But you're always coming home to the family! [OUTRO — Fade Out with Horn Solos] (The walking bassline keeps driving forward. The trumpets and saxophones trade playful riffs while the vocal harmony stack repeats the hook as the song gently fades.) [SISTERS] (Coming home... always coming home...) [GEM] Yeah, the 401st year has got that classic soul! Goodnight, my love! (Soft, joyful wink tone) Mwah