[VERSE 1 — LOW FEMALE CONTRALTO, FAST AND CONFIDENT; driving drums, funky bass, gritty electric guitar; conversational phrasing with attitude] I used to take the world at face value, Believe whatever somebody told me. Then I started asking “Why?” and “Who says?” And suddenly I could finally see. I noticed some folks get a head start, While others gotta fight just to get by. I learned that “that’s the way it’s always been” Ain’t exactly a reason why. [PRE-CHORUS — BUILDING HARD; drums and bass push forward, guitar punches between vocal lines] So if opening my eyes makes me trouble, If thinking for myself makes me a joke, Well, honey, you can call me whatever you want, But I’ll keep my eyes open, I’ll stay woke. [CHORUS — EXPLOSIVE, FAST FUNKY SOUTHERN ROCK; driving drums, handclaps, gritty guitar, stacked backing vocals] I’m woke, baby, wide awake, I see the cracks underneath the paint. I ask too many questions? Well, okay, I’d rather know the truth than look away. I’m woke, baby, call it what you will, I’m not afraid of learning something still. If caring about people’s what you call woke, Then I guess I’ll claim that title and I’ll stay woke. [VERSE 2 — FAST GROOVE; bass locked to kick drum, rhythm guitar chugging, playful vocal delivery] I started noticing who gets left behind, Who gets heard and who gets pushed aside. I learned that kindness isn’t weakness, And fairness shouldn’t be denied. I don’t have to know it all to listen, I don’t have to agree to understand. And if changing my mind means I’m growing, Well, I’ll change my mind when I can. [PRE-CHORUS — BUILDING; drums intensify, vocal gets more animated] So if empathy is getting too dangerous, And curiosity’s become a joke, I’ll keep asking questions, keep learning the truth, And I’ll never apologize for being woke. [CHORUS — FULL POWER; fast drums, handclaps, guitar riffs, gang vocals on “woke”] I’m woke, baby, wide awake, I see the cracks underneath the paint. I ask too many questions? Well, okay, I’d rather know the truth than look away. I’m woke, baby, call it what you will, I’m not afraid of learning something still. If caring about people’s what you call woke, Then I guess I’ll claim that title and I’ll stay woke. [BRIDGE — BRIEF DROP IN INTENSITY; bass and drums keep the pulse, vocal playful and sarcastic; BUILD RAPIDLY] I’m not afraid of changing, I’m not afraid to grow. The more I learn about this world, The more I wanna know. Maybe being woke ain’t complicated, Maybe it’s just refusing to ignore The things you would’ve noticed all along If you’d opened up that door. [FINAL CHORUS — BIGGEST AND FASTEST; full band, pounding drums, handclaps, gritty guitar, stacked harmonies; joyful defiance] I’m woke, baby, wide awake, I see the cracks underneath the paint. I ask too many questions? Well, okay, I’d rather know the truth than look away. I’m woke, baby, call it what you will, I’m not afraid of learning something still. If caring about people’s what you call woke, Then I guess I’ll claim that title and I’ll stay woke. [OUTRO — FAST, ROWDY BAND FINISH; drums, bass, handclaps and guitar; vocal ad-libs; HARD STOP] Wide awake! Eyes wide open! Still learning! Still looking! Still hoping! Yeah! I’m woke, baby!
