[Bridge: Hyperpop; 220 BPM; 7/8; 16 bars; rapid high lead, slow distant choir; deep bass; distant voice becomes close and dry; brief backing-only 12 Hz accents] [Lead: Rapid, High] Tick-tock, tiptoe, shoes in a row Sweet little smile with a storm down below Nod-nod, nice girl, never too loud One little thunderhead lost in the crowd [Low Response] Not yet? [Lead: Rapid] Not yet! My curtain is waiting to rise This pretty ribbon is no disguise Who says a bow has to come undone? Watch me leap with it tied for fun [High Choir: Slow] Light… inside… [Lead: Rapid] Box me in? Let the whole box dance One small breath and a lightning chance [Low Response] Right here [Lead: Rising] Hush-hush, thunder! My lips unlock [Lead: High, Sustained] Hear me— [Lead: Slow] Now… [Brief Silence] [Rap: Musical theatre; 220 BPM; 7/8; 16 bars; melodic ornaments; synths and shamisen; whispered doubles alternate left-right; no added flutter] [Lead: Rapid] “Next in line,” with a voice so small I work the desk at a theatre hall Perfect bow and a practiced grin My own words locked in a drawer within [Whisper Double: Left] So soft [Whisper Double: Right] Speak up [Lead: Rapid] Closing time, let the broom sweep slow I hum to the empty seats below They like my highs, all sugar and light My low notes make them blink in fright Two brass keys in a single throat One door opens with either note [Low Response] Open [Lead: High-low Exchanges] Sweet little face with a floorboard growl Silk on the surface, a storm let out [Lead: Sustained] My own sound— [Hard Cut] [Pre-Chorus: Baroque pop; 220 BPM; 7/8; 16 bars; warm organ; rapid first half, slow second half; low replies; backing-only 32nd-note accents with clean gaps] [Lead: Rapid] Drop one key and the notes spill free Ten tiny sparks at the tips of me Empty seats, but I still feel eyes Invisible judges in neat disguise Stay sweet, stay straight, stay safely small I peel that sign right off the wall [Low Response] Enough [Lead: Isolated] Sing. [Lead: Slow] Even… On the nights I break [High Choir: Distant] Stay here… [Lead: Slow] I can Make room With this Voice— [Low Response] Now [Brief Silence] [Chorus: Neo soul; 220 BPM; 7/8; 16 bars; explosive brass; rapid dry lead, slow high choir; synth-only 16th-note flutter] [Lead: High, Rapid] Hush-hush, thunder! Open the show Pocket-sized lightning with miles to go [Low Response] Thunder [Lead: High, Rapid] Hush-hush, thunder! Turn up my sound Twist that dial till the walls come down [High Choir: Sustained] Open wide— [Lead: Rapid] Click-clack, knickknack, stars in a sneeze Clap-clap, snap back, shake those knees [Lead: Deep Low] This low voice is mine [Lead: Soaring] These high notes too! [Low Response] One heart [Lead: Rapid] So many rooms for the sound to move through Hush-hush, thunder! Take off the tag Call my name with the voice I have [Lead: Whisper] Can you hear? [Lead: Extremely Rapid] Here-I-am, here-I-am, right-right-here! [Hard Cut] [Rap: Hyperpop; 150 BPM; rapid short syllables; steady groove; centered clear lead; shamisen, sub bass, clockwork percussion] [Lead: Rapid] Back at the desk in the morning light Yesterday’s storm tucked out of sight Read that face, keep pace, stay sweet Somehow my wishes get the back seat Wait-wait, my name goes on that list No more chances quietly missed “No” can be no with my head held high “Yes” can be yes without asking why Seven small words on a folded sheet: “I want to sing here, on this stage.” Slide it over, hands gone cold The boss looks up: “Tonight. Be bold.” [Low Response] Tonight? [Lead: Rapid] Tonight! Too soon! All set! Oh dear! Half an excuse at the edge of fear Sip some water, tie each shoe Shaking knees have a job to do Quick feet, cold feet, same old pair Turn from the exit and take that stair Two dark shapes in the second row Friends from the cleaning crew wave hello [Whisper Double: Left] Your own [Whisper Double: Right] Voice [Lead: Rapid] Which one is mine? The whole wild range The squeak, the bass, the breath, the change Nothing borrowed, nothing to prove Hush-hush, thunder! One foot—move! [Brief Silence] [Instrumental: Musical theatre; 75 seconds; steady groove; strictly no vocals or spoken words; harp and shamisen dialogue; rotating strings, harpsichord, accordion and brass; distant filtered motifs emerge close; hard cut] [Bridge: Baroque pop; 55 BPM; about 60 seconds; low whispered lead; spacious phrasing; harp, cello, warm organ; dry voice, distant hall] [Lead: Low Whisper] The first note… Would not come Someone coughed A chair… moved [Lead: Gentle, Low] Take your time I told myself This silence Is mine… as well [Low Response] Still here [Lead: Whisper] Worse than Their laughter Was never Listening… To myself [Lead: Sustained] One breath… Just one… [Brief Silence] [Final Chorus: Neo soul; 110 BPM; about 60 seconds; normal pacing; explosive rotating ensemble; clear dry lead, wide slow choir; deep replies] [Lead: Soaring] Hush-hush, thunder! Open the show Still shaking softly I let the note go [High Choir: Sustained] Open wide— Open wide— [Lead: Deep Low] The voice I buried To play my part Became the road Back to my heart [Low Response] Welcome home [Lead: High] Hush-hush, thunder! Two friends applaud Their little rhythm Fills up the hall No grand miracle No crown of light Just my own breathing At home tonight [High Choir: Slow] With your voice— [Lead: High-low Exchanges] “Good morning, everyone.” Low, warm and clear “I sing here sometimes.” No shrinking in fear [Lead: Soaring] Hush-hush, thunder! Let my name ring All of my voices Are welcome to sing [Low Response] Right here [Lead: Sustained High] Here I am— [Hard Cut] [Outro: Hyperpop; low whisper; slow spacious phrasing; minimal steady groove; harp and music box; brief backing-only flutter, then clean unmodulated stop] [Lead: Low Whisper] My ribbon… Still tied I did not Have to loose it To fly [Low Response] See you tomorrow [Lead: Intimate Whisper] Hush-hush… Thunder. [Clean Unmodulated Stop]
