Held Up by Static Theory feat. Callum Reyes

[Intro — lone piano note, low synth drone, distant turntable crackle, slow marching snare; whispered melodic vocals] We're held up We're held up But we're not gonna fall [Verse 1 — Callum rap; steady marching drums, muted guitar chugs, dark synth swell, soft turntable scratches; measured, gravelly rap delivery] Woke up to the sound of the storefront shutter Dad's hands shaking on his second cup of coffee Mum's doing numbers on the back of an envelope And I'm supposed to be somebody by the time I'm twenty They say keep your head down, keep your grades up, keep it steady But nobody tells you what to do when the ground moves When the bills stack higher than the dreams you carry And you're fifteen, trying to hold up the whole roof I'm not asking for a handout, not asking for a break I'm asking for a minute where I don't have to fake The smile on my face when they ask me what I'll be When I don't even know who I am at seventeen I hold up my friends, hold up my family, hold up the noise But who's gonna hold me up when I'm losing my voice [Chorus — Leo sung; heavy melodic guitars, crashing live drums, layered synth, choir-like turntable textures; soaring sorrowful vocals] Hands held high, but my arms are getting tired Hands held high, and I'm running out of fire Hands held high, though I don't know what I'm fighting for Hands held high, but I can't hold on much more Held up, held up, by the ones who came before Held up, held up, but I'm not sure I can carry any more [Verse 2 — Callum rap; syncopated palm-muted guitar, punchy live drums, dark synth arpeggio, turntable stutters; intense, urgent rap delivery] My little brother asked me why I'm always tired I said it's nothing, but that kid knows I'm a liar He's nine years old and he's already counting coins Already knows the sound of a household that's unemployed I want to give him everything I never got to have But I'm a kid myself, and I'm barely holding half The city says be grateful, the city says be tough The city says work harder, but I've worked enough I've written raps in the margins of inventory sheets Dreaming of a stage while I'm stacking receipts They want a perfect student, a perfect son, a perfect citizen But I'm a kid with a guitar and a heart full of medicine And I'm held up by the ones who believe in me So I'll hold up my end, even if it kills me [Chorus — Leo sung; heavy melodic guitars, crashing live drums, layered synth, choir-like turntable textures; soaring sorrowful vocals] Hands held high, but my arms are getting tired Hands held high, and I'm running out of fire Hands held high, though I don't know what I'm fighting for Hands held high, but I can't hold on much more Held up, held up, by the ones who came before Held up, held up, but I'm not sure I can carry any more [Guitar Solo — restrained anguished guitar solo with slow bends, mournful melodic runs, feedback swelling into the drums; marching snare intensifies, synth builds] [Bridge — clean guitar, sparse drums building, distant synth atmosphere, turntable vinyl crackle; soft melodic vocals growing stronger] Maybe being held up isn't weakness Maybe it's the hands of everyone who stayed Maybe I don't have to carry this alone Maybe I was never meant to be the one who saved The world, the store, the family, the song Maybe I just have to keep showing up Maybe being held up is the bravest thing When everything in you wants to give up [Breakdown — low guitar chugs, pounding half-time live drums, distorted synth bass, sharp turntable cuts; intense shouted vocals] WE'RE HELD UP! BUT WE'RE STANDING! WE'RE HELD UP! BUT WE'RE NOT DONE! HOLD THE LINE! HOLD THE LIGHT! HOLD EACH OTHER THROUGH THE NIGHT! [Final Chorus — massive guitars, huge live drums, soaring synth, frantic turntable scratches; fierce, hopeful vocals] Hands held high, and I'm still standing here Hands held high, even through the fear Hands held high, for the ones who held me too Hands held high, I'm gonna see this through Held up, held up, by the ones who came before Held up, held up, and I'll hold on a little more [Outro — fading piano, soft synth pulse, restrained marching snare, turntable scratches slowing to silence; whispered melodic vocals and soft rap] Held up By the ones who stayed Held up We'll be okay Held up Hands held high Held up Until we fly