[VOCAL CHARACTER] Solo adult male tenor, warm close-mic, emotional but controlled — a man who's been holding it in for months, finally letting one line through at a time. Verses rhythmic and intimate, pop/R&B phrasing tightening on pressure lines. Chorus opens into a clean strong lift without belting. Natural breaths, slight rasp on "home," "stay," "still here." Cracks only on "I'm not too far gone" and the final outro. No theatrical runs, no boy-band gloss, no over-singing, no choir overload. [Cold Open — vocal only, dry close mic] Pain in my chest I can feel it again Tried to walk it off Tried to sleep it off Mm Bring me home [Verse 1 — close vocal, soft piano, tight R&B pocket] Pain in my chest I been holding it down Smile on my face But my body don't buy it Saw myself in the window Didn't know that guy Eyes too tired For somebody my age Friend hit me up Asked me how I been I said I was good He took it as the truth Nobody really wants The answer to that question So I lock it in And I keep it moving [Refrain — bass enters, soft rim clicks] My heart cries out For something to hold For something to lean on Before I get cold I'm not asking for much Just a reason to stay One small sign That I'm not too far gone [Chorus — big pop/R&B lift, emotional hook] Bring me home I need quiet in my head I need someone in the room I need warm in the bed Bring me home I've been carrying weight Save me tonight Save me today When does it lift? When does it break? How do I keep showing up With my chest like this? Bring me home Bring me home [Verse 2 — faster rhythmic flow, drums tighten] Two in the morning Ceiling looks the same Counted every shadow Then I counted them again She's asleep beside me Or doing a good job pretending Either way I'm grateful She don't have to see this I keep asking, when? I keep asking, why? Why does my own body Feel like a place to hide Don't want pity Don't want noise Just want a way back To my own voice [Refrain 2 — Rhodes and muted guitar enter] My heart cries out For something to hold For something to lean on Before I get cold I been down so long I forgot my name But something in me Still wants to stay [Chorus — stronger, still restrained] Bring me home I need quiet in my head I need someone in the room I need warm in the bed Bring me home I've been carrying weight Save me tonight Save me today When does it lift? When does it break? How do I keep showing up With my chest like this? Bring me home Bring me home [Bridge — stripped piano, almost spoken] I don't need the whole sky Just one breath that comes easy I don't need an answer Just a minute that don't bleed me Not asking for perfect Not asking for clean Just need somewhere in this body The pain has not been If there's still something That's looking out for me Let it find me here Tonight, in this bed [Final Chorus — widest section, clean pop/R&B lift] Bring me home I need quiet in my head I need someone in the room I need warm in the bed Bring me home I've been carrying weight Save me tonight Save me today When does it lift? When does it break? How do I keep showing up With my chest like this? Bring me home Bring me home [Outro — piano and vocal only] Pain in my chest I can feel it again But I'm still here Bring me home
