[Intro – intimate, low resonant rasp] I meant it. That’s what makes it worse. [Verse 1 – clipped, syncopated melodic delivery] I said it with my whole chest Didn’t have to think it through Nothing in my voice was shaking Nothing in me wasn’t sure Now the words are sitting crooked In a mouth that knows them well I could give you what you’re asking I could make it sound convincing [Sudden upper-register turn] Wouldn’t that be something else? [Pre-Chorus – agile, ascending melody] I don’t need another reason I don’t need another name Something can be beautiful And never be the same [Chorus – striking upper-register melody, raw edges] Don’t make me take it back Don’t make me take it back I meant every word And I can’t say it like that Not now, not now God, I wish I could I wasn’t lying I was different when I said it [Handpan melody answers; bass briefly opens] [Verse 2 – gritty chest voice, restless triplet phrasing] There’s a part of me that wants it Just because it might be gone There’s a part that gets so quiet When I finally get what I want I can feel myself resisting Something I was reaching for And I hate how much I miss it When I don’t want it anymore [Pre-Chorus – voice catches, then rises] I could make a better story Put the blame somewhere it fits But I’d still be standing here With every version of it [Chorus – brighter, more forceful; abrupt rhythmic changes] Don’t make me take it back Don’t make me take it back I meant every word And I can’t say it like that Not now, not now God, I wish I could I wasn’t lying I was different when I said it [Bridge – percussion disappears; high, exposed melodic voice] Sometimes I still feel it [Long, intricate melodic turn] Every bit [Register drops sharply] And then I don’t. [Pause] I don’t. [Final refrain – ragged rhythmic phrases, brilliant upper notes] I meant it I meant it Don’t make me take it— [Silence] I meant it. [Outro – close, natural chest voice; handpan alone] I don’t know what to tell you. Except I did.
