[I ALMOST CALLED YOU] ________________________________________ LYRICS + PERFORMANCE DIRECTIONS Target runtime: 2:55–3:08 [OPENING HOOK — 0:00; FEMALE HIGH-ALTO BEGINS ON THE FIRST BEAT, CLOSE AND UNGUARDED; FOUR FELT-PIANO NOTES, FAINT ANALOG PULSE] I almost called you when the room went quiet at two. I almost called you— did you almost call me too? [VERSE 1 — LOW CELLO ENTERS; LIGHT ELECTRONIC HEARTBEAT UNDER THE FINAL FOUR LINES] Your jacket’s on the chair. I should have moved it yesterday. I tell myself it isn’t yours, then turn and look away. At every red light, I think I see your car. Funny how a little distance can feel this far. [CHORUS 1 — ARRIVE NEAR 0:30; FULL MELODIC HOOK, WARM BASS AND LIVE DRUMS, WIDE BUT NOT LOUD] I almost called you, almost let the whole truth through. Almost said, “I miss you.” Almost asked, “Do you miss me too?” I almost called you just to hear you say hello. One word could pull me back where I said I’d never go. [POST-CHORUS — BEAT FALLS AWAY; SOFT FEMALE HARMONY MOVES LEFT TO RIGHT] I almost— I almost called you. [VERSE 2 — PULSE RETURNS WITH GUITAR SHIMMER; KEEP THE LEAD INTIMATE] I passed the diner window, saw two coffees side by side. For a second, I could see us in the people there inside. Your song came on in traffic. I let it play this time. I sang the part you always sang and missed the turning sign. [PRE-CHORUS — STRINGS BEGIN TO RISE; DRUMS HOLD BACK] Maybe it’s not over. Maybe that isn’t true. Maybe midnight makes a promise daylight never follows through. [CHORUS 2 — WIDER SYNTHS; VELVET BARITONE SHADOWS ONLY “CALLED YOU” AND “MISS ME TOO”] I almost called you, almost let the whole truth through. Almost said, “I miss you.” Almost asked, “Do you miss me too?” I almost called you just to hear you say hello. One word could pull me back where I said I’d never go. [BRIDGE — NEAR-SILENCE; PIANO, LOW CELLO AND HUMAN BREATH ONLY] I don’t need forever. I don’t need a grand excuse. I only need to know if you’ve been almost calling too. [TWO-BEAT SILENCE] My finger finds your number— then the whole room turns blue. [FINAL CHORUS — BRIEF ORCHESTRAL-SYNTH SURGE; FEMALE LEAD SOARS, STACKED BACKUPS ANSWER EXACT WORDS] I almost called you, almost let the whole truth through. Almost said, “I miss you.” Almost asked, “Do you miss me too?” I almost called you— then your name lit up the room. [ALL MUSIC DROPS EXCEPT ONE PIANO NOTE] “Are you still awake?” [HALF-BAR SILENCE; FEMALE CLOSE-MIC, CERTAIN] This time—I call you. [HARD STOP ON “YOU”; NO FADE, NO ECHO TAIL]
