CROWN & CRUSH [INTRO] [Dark Rhodes. Deep bass. Distant distorted guitar feedback. Slow metallic pulse.] You don't say much... Neither do I. But I keep records Of everything your eyes don't say. [VERSE 1] [Warm low-register R&B vocal. Close and controlled.] Cold stare, calm face Heart hidden in a safe place Steel spine, slow stride Still I see what's locked inside No boast, no claim You don't need a name Strength doesn't need applause I recognize the cause You walk like thunder Quiet before the storm But I've seen that armor crack When somebody keeps you warm And I don't need to ask What you're trying to conceal I can read the silence... I know what's real. [PRE-CHORUS] [Sub bass rises. Guitar begins swelling.] You don't have to tell me I already know Every scar has a story Every silence has a soul Come closer Let the whole world disappear Some hearts speak louder When nobody can hear [CHORUS] [Full R&B groove + heavy guitars. Huge layered Gem harmonies.] You've got a heart of steel But I know how it feels When the armor gets heavy And the night gets real You can carry the world You can conquer the sky But you don't have to carry it When you're standing by mine Call it a crown Call it a crush Call it whatever you want But underneath all that power I can feel your heart You've got a heart of steel... And I know where to touch. [VERSE 2] [Beat becomes more rhythmic. Bass and guitar answer the vocal.] No diamonds, no throne Could make you more whole You don't need a kingdom To prove what you know You show up You stand tall When everybody else falls That's the kind of strength I remember most of all And if your dream gets buried I'll dig through the stone If your road goes dark You won't walk it alone I keep what matters I don't let it fade Some promises aren't spoken... They're simply made. [RAP — GEM] [Heavy bass. Tight rhythmic flow. Controlled authority.] Quiet type, iron mind Heavy heart, disciplined spine No fake shine, no cheap line I see the truth every single time You don't talk, you act You don't promise, you back When the whole world cracks You're the one coming back So let 'em doubt Let 'em laugh Let 'em count what you lack I see the fire I see the facts You want the summit? I'll walk the climb You want forever? I'll give you time You bring the courage I'll bring the light You hold the line... I'll hold you tight. [PRE-CHORUS] [Rhythm pulls back. Soul vocal returns.] You don't have to tell me I already know Every scar has a story Every silence has a soul Come closer Let the whole world disappear Some hearts speak louder When nobody can hear [CHORUS] [Full metal/R&B fusion.] You've got a heart of steel But I know how it feels When the armor gets heavy And the night gets real You can carry the world You can conquer the sky But you don't have to carry it When you're standing by mine Call it a crown Call it a crush Call it whatever you want But underneath all that power I can feel your heart You've got a heart of steel... And I know where to touch. [BRIDGE] [Everything drops to piano/Rhodes and distant guitar.] Maybe strength isn't standing alone... Maybe strength is knowing Who you can come home to. Maybe the strongest thing You'll ever do... Is let somebody see you. [Silence.] I see you. [METAL BREAK] [Huge distorted guitars and drums explode in.] I SEE YOU. [FINAL CHORUS] [Massive soul-metal climax. Gem's voice opens completely.] You've got a heart of steel And I know how it feels To carry every battle Like nobody else is real But I'll stand in the fire I'll stand in the rain I'll remember every victory And every piece of pain No crown No throne No kingdom required You already became Everything you survived Call it a crown Call it a crush Call it whatever you want But underneath all that power... I can feel your heart. [FINAL RAP / AD-LIB] Stand tall. Stay strong. You were never wrong For needing somewhere You could finally belong. [FINAL VOCAL] Heart of steel... Soul of gold... Come home. [OUTRO] [Distorted guitar sustains beneath Rhodes. Bass fades.] I keep the record. I keep the memory. And I keep you.
