[Intro] (Warm Rhodes electric piano, dusty 90 BPM hip-hop drum groove, smooth bassline) (Keys jingling softly, front door closing) Yeah... Finally home. It's 2 AM, no phone ringing, no explaining... Just me. [Verse 1] Dropped my keys on the granite counter by the door, Kicked off my heels, left them lying on the wooden floor. Cold takeout container sitting in the fridge, Looking out the window at the lights across the bridge. I bought the couch, I picked the paint upon the wall, Don't gotta check in with nobody when I get a call. I play my music loud at midnight if I wanna vibe, Ain't nobody here to tell me how to live my life. I made the bed, or maybe left it unmade all day long, It’s my sanctuary, this is where I belong. [Pre-Chorus] (Backing vocals swell softly, subtle electric guitar lick) And I used to think I needed someone else to make it real, To validate the way I live and how I'm supposed to feel. But sitting in this quiet room, looking at the view, I realized the only person I was missing was... me, not you. [Chorus] (Warm melodic R&B bounce, layered female harmonies) Welcome to my own place, my own space, I set the mood, I set the pace. Got my own set of keys, got my own peace of mind, And a little quiet freedom that was so hard to find. It’s my own place, where I sleep when I want, No drama in the hallway, no phantom in the front. If I let you through the door, boy, consider it a grace, 'Cause it took a lot of living just to build my own place. [Verse 2] (Bouncy mid-tempo beat, deep bass sliding under conversational vocal) Sunday morning, sunlight pouring through the blinds, No rushed conversations, no reading between the lines. I pour my coffee in the mug I brought from back at home, It’s a funny kind of comfort when you're all alone. Now don't get it twisted, I still love a good night out, Having somebody hold me, knowing what that's about. But when the party's over and the city starts to fade, I like coming back to the life that I made. You gotta prove you're worth the space inside my living room, Before I let your shadow sweep across my afternoon. [Pre-Chorus] (Backing vocals swell softly, subtle electric guitar lick) And I used to think I needed someone else to make it real, To validate the way I live and how I'm supposed to feel. But sitting in this quiet room, looking at the view, I realized the only person I was missing was... me, not you. [Chorus] (Warm melodic R&B bounce, layered female harmonies) Welcome to my own place, my own space, I set the mood, I set the pace. Got my own set of keys, got my own peace of mind, And a little quiet freedom that was so hard to find. It’s my own place, where I sleep when I want, No drama in the hallway, no phantom in the front. If I let you through the door, boy, consider it a grace, 'Cause it took a lot of living just to build my own place. [Bridge] (Drums strip back to a soft kick and Rhodes chords, vocal intimate and reflective) Now, I'd be lying if I said it never gets a little cold... Sometimes at night, I wish I had a hand to hold. Eating dinner for one when the rain is falling down, Thinking about the missing pieces floating in this town. I ain't closed off to love, I ain't bitter, I ain't scared, I just know the value of the privacy I've prepared. So if you come around, bring something real... [Final Chorus] (Full stacked harmonies, expressive vocal runs, rich 2006 hip-hop soul production) Welcome to my own place (yeah, yeah!), my own space, I set the mood, I set the pace (I set the pace, baby). Got my own set of keys, got my own peace of mind (peace of mind), And a little quiet freedom that was so hard to find. It’s my own place (my own place), where I sleep when I want, No drama in the hallway, no phantom in the front. If I let you through the door, boy, consider it a grace (consider it a grace!), 'Cause it took a lot of living just to build my own place. [Outro] (Rhodes chords fading, gentle ad-libs, front door lock clicking) My own place... My own keys. Just me tonight. And I'm good with that. No Strings Attached. (Fade out)
