Snake in the Grass

SNAKE IN THE GRASS SØLVE featuring THE HOLLOW [INTRO — INSTRUMENTAL ONLY — 8 BARS] [Low detuned piano, distant metallic echoes] [Deep pulsing synth bass introduces a sinister three-note motif] [Baritone guitar enters with a slow, crooked riff] [Live drums build a heavy hypnotic trip-hop groove] [Cold analog textures gradually widen] [Hard silence before Verse 1] [NO VOCALS, WHISPERS, CHANTS OR VOCAL SAMPLES] [VERSE 1 — SØLVE, LOW SMOKY FEMALE CONTRALTO] You shook my hand with a loaded smile Said you'd walk beside me every mile Had my back, that's what you said While you counted every step ahead [BARITONE GUITAR ANSWERS EACH VOCAL PHRASE] You knew the names, you knew the game Knew just where to place the blame Never raised your voice or showed your teeth Just kept your knife where I couldn't see [PRE-CHORUS — SØLVE, EERIE LAYERED FEMALE HARMONIES] You don't need a gun to take a shot Don't need a match to burn the lot Some folks lie, some folks steal Some shake your hand while they turn the wheel [BUILD — 4 BARS] [Drums become heavier, synth tension rises] [Baritone guitar slides into a dissonant bend] [One beat of complete silence] [CHORUS — SØLVE, HUGE HAUNTING MELODIC FEMALE VOCAL] SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I HEAR YOU MOVING! SMILE IN MY FACE! WHILE THE KNIFE GOES THROUGH ME! SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I KNOW YOUR KIND! SAY YOU GOT MY BACK WHILE YOU'RE WORKING BEHIND! [POST-CHORUS — INSTRUMENTAL, 8 BARS] [The Hollow plays a crushing syncopated riff] [Grinding bass, thunderous live drums] [Sinister three-note synth motif answers the chorus] [NO VOCALS] [POST-CHORUS — SØLVE, LOW AND HAUNTING] Keep your friends close Keep your enemies in sight It's the ones that call you brother That'll cut you in the night [VERSE 2 — SØLVE, INTIMATE AND CONTROLLED] You played the part, you wore the face Took your seat and knew your place Passed the word when I wasn't there Then acted shocked when it filled the air [DRUMS SHIFT INTO A DARKER TRIP-HOP GROOVE] Every favor came with strings Every promise had hidden things You didn't stab me in the street You pulled the ground from under my feet [PRE-CHORUS — SØLVE, LAYERED FEMALE HARMONIES BUILDING] You don't need a gun to take a shot Don't need a match to burn the lot Some folks lie, some folks steal Some shake your hand while they turn the wheel [CHORUS — FULL BAND, POWERFUL FEMALE LEAD] SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I HEAR YOU MOVING! SMILE IN MY FACE! WHILE THE KNIFE GOES THROUGH ME! SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I KNOW YOUR KIND! SAY YOU GOT MY BACK WHILE YOU'RE WORKING BEHIND! [INSTRUMENTAL BREAK — 16 BARS] [The Hollow takes center stage] [Baritone guitar plays warped, dissonant melodic lead] [Grinding synth bass doubles the guitar] [Thunderous live drums and metallic percussion] [Cold analog synths weave around the riff] [NO VOCALS] [BRIDGE — SØLVE, NEAR-WHISPERED FEMALE VOCAL] Funny how the truth comes out When the room gets quiet Funny how the loudest loyalty Never seems to buy it [PIANO AND SUB-BASS ONLY] I don't need revenge I don't need a scene I just know exactly What your friendship means [BREAKDOWN — THE HOLLOW, CRUSHING HALF-TIME GROOVE] [Detuned baritone guitar, deep distorted bass] [Huge live snare, mechanical percussion] [SØLVE — COLD, RHYTHMIC FEMALE DELIVERY] I saw the tracks I heard the sound I watched you smile While you dragged me down [SØLVE — VOICE GROWS STRONGER, DARK HARMONIES] No more favors No more trust I know what crawls Beneath the dust [INSTRUMENTAL BUILD — 8 BARS] [Baritone riff becomes heavier] [Live drums accelerate into pounding tom fills] [Analog synths rise into a cold distorted swell] [COMPLETE SILENCE — ONE BEAT] [FINAL CHORUS — SØLVE, MAXIMUM MELODIC POWER] SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I HEAR YOU MOVING! SMILE IN MY FACE! WHILE THE KNIFE GOES THROUGH ME! SNAKE IN THE GRASS! I KNOW YOUR KIND! SAY YOU GOT MY BACK WHILE YOU'RE WORKING BEHIND! [FINAL REFRAIN — SØLVE, HAUNTING MULTILAYERED FEMALE HARMONIES] Snake in the grass... I know your kind... Snake in the grass... You were never on my side... [OUTRO — THE HOLLOW, SLOW HEAVY RIFF] [SØLVE — LOW, INTIMATE FEMALE VOICE] You can keep the handshake You can keep the smile I know what you are [FINAL LINE — SOFT, ICY FEMALE VOCAL] I just didn't know it for a while [FINAL DETUNED PIANO NOTE] [BARITONE GUITAR FEEDBACK FADES INTO SILENCE] [END]