[Intro — bass and muted guitar] Da-da, da-da-da Da-da, da-da-da [Verse 1 — smooth chest voice] You got your shoes by the doorway, Keys turning circles in your hand. Like leaving first might hurt less Than waiting on another plan. I know somebody made a promise, Then left you carrying the weight. So I won’t ask you for forever When you’re still deciding if to stay. Let the little things be little. Let the record turn tonight. We can talk about the hard stuff When we’re ready to get it right. No need to hand me every answer. No need to tell me what this is. But if you want a little company, I got a passenger seat for this. [Pre-Chorus — groove lifts] No fast lane, no finish line. We can take our time, take our time. If you turn the music up, I’ll follow where you want to ride. [Chorus — falsetto; layered] Your side, my side— Meet me in the middle of the night. Slow ride, no rush— We don’t have to call it love. If the road gets rough, I’ll be right here, right here. Your side, my side— We can take the long way home. [Post-Chorus — vocal chops] Long way, long way Take the long way home. Long way, long way You don’t have to ride alone. [Instrumental — 16 bars] [Slap bass and guitar trade phrases] [Vocal chops answer the bass] [Verse 2 — playful] You in that white Mercedes, Me trying not to race your smile. You say, “Don’t get ahead, baby.” I say, “I can stay a while.” We missed the turn on purpose. Found a diner open late. You stole the cherry from my milkshake. I let you think you got away. You make a joke, then look away When it gets a little too real. I don’t need the whole confession. Just tell me how you want to feel. I used to think the sweetest words Could make a broken heart believe. Now I know it’s all the little ways I show up when you need to breathe. [Pre-Chorus — wider harmonies] No fast lane, no finish line. We can take our time, take our time. If you turn the music up, I’ll follow where you want to ride. [Chorus — falsetto; fuller drums] Your side, my side— Meet me in the middle of the night. Slow ride, no rush— We don’t have to call it love. If the road gets rough, I’ll be right here, right here. Your side, my side— We can take the long way home. [Post-Chorus] Long way, long way Take the long way home. Long way, long way You don’t have to ride alone. [Instrumental — 16 bars] [Bass-led groove; guitar and vocal chops] [Drums drop for the final two bars] [Bridge — stripped; intimate] We could talk until we’re louder Than the thing we’re talking through. Or put the sharp words on the table, Leave some room for me and you. Take the makeup off if you want to. Leave the hallway light on low. You don’t have to look unbroken For me to want to hold you close. And if tonight you need your space, I’ll respect the distance too. I want to be somebody safe, Whether the road leads back to you. [Build — drums and harmonies return] So tell me where your heart is. I’ll tell you where mine goes. No pulling at your hands, girl— Just leaving mine where you can hold. [Final Chorus — layered; ad-libs] Your side, my side— Meet me in the middle of the night. Slow ride, no rush— We don’t have to call it love. If the road gets rough, I’ll be right here, right here. Your side, my side— We can take the long way home. [Final Post-Chorus — call and response] Long way, long way Take the long way home. Long way, long way You don’t have to ride alone. Your side, my side Let the music take its time. Long way, long way I’ll be here if you decide. [Outro — vocals fade into groove] Da-da, da-da-da Take the long way home. Da-da, da-da-da You don’t have to ride alone. [Instrumental Outro — 24 bars] [Slap bass, muted guitar and drums] [Synth pad widens; instruments gradually fall away] [Final bass and guitar resolve] [Natural decay] [End]
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