**[Verse 1]** You can make a dog bark But can you make canaries sing? I’m trying my damn best here Why are you mad at me? Did I miss a beat? Did I drop the tune? Is there something else I still need to prove? **[Pre-Chorus]** Feels like I’m failing tests I didn’t know I took Every time I think I got it You change the fucking book **[Chorus]** So tell me what you want Tell me what you need I’m bending over backwards You’re still disappointed in me I can learn the words I can follow every cue But you can’t force a song Out of someone scared of you You can make a dog bark You can pull on every string But just because you make me loud Doesn’t mean you made me sing **[Verse 2]** Was I too slow? Was I too much? Did I say the wrong thing When I should’ve shut up? Did I show up late To a race I didn’t see? How am I supposed to win When you won’t tell me what you need? **[Pre-Chorus]** Feels like I’m failing tests With answers in your head And every time I get one right You ask another one instead **[Chorus]** So tell me what you want Tell me what you need I’m bending over backwards You’re still disappointed in me I can learn the words I can follow every cue But you can’t force a song Out of someone scared of you You can make a dog bark You can pull on every string But just because you make me loud Doesn’t mean you made me sing **[Bridge]** Maybe I’m not broken Maybe this is just my sound Maybe all this pressure Is why nothing’s coming out You keep tapping on the cage Like, “Come on, do your thing” But canaries don’t sing sweeter Just because you make them sing **[Break]** Did I miss a beat? Did I drop the tune? How much of myself Do I still have to prove? **[Final Chorus]** Tell me what you want Tell me what you need I gave you every version You kept asking more of me I learned all the words I hit every fucking cue And somehow every finish line Just turned into another hoop You can make a dog bark You can shake the whole damn thing But fear can make a lot of noise It can’t make canaries sing **[Outro]** So if I’m quiet Let me be Maybe I’d sing If you stopped testing me
