Devil at the Doorstep

R&B, country, and pop, driven by a raw, raspy powerhouse vocal performance, female vocals

(Intro)
(A lonely, gospel-tinged piano plays slow chords. There’s a slight hiss of tape noise.)
(Vocals - Soft, breathy, slightly cracked)
Ooh... yeah.
Lord have mercy on my soul.
Mmm.
(Verse 1)
(Piano continues, joined by a soft finger-snap beat)
I woke up shaking on the kitchen floor again
With a memory of who I was, and who I could have been.
The bottle’s empty, staring at me like a loaded gun
I promised Mama that the wild days were done.
But there’s a hunger in my veins that I can’t explain
A temporary sunshine for a permanent rain.
I look in the mirror, but the glass is getting cracked
I walked a mile away, but I keep running back.
(Pre-Chorus)
(Organ swells in the background. Vocals get louder, raspier)
And I know, I know, I know I’m playing with fire.
Burning down the house just to get a little higher.
My hands are tied, but the knot is slipping loose
I’m running out of reasons, running out of excuse.
(Chorus)
(Explosion of sound - Big drums, bass, and soulful backing choir)
(Vocals - Full Belting Power)
‘Cause there’s a devil at the doorstep and he’s calling my name!
He says, "Come on out and play inside the flame!"
I’m fighting for my life, I’m fighting for my breath
Dancing on the tightrope between living and death!
Oh, somebody save me, ‘cause I can’t save myself!
I’m trying to put the poison back up on the shelf!
Yeah! Back on the shelf!
(Ooh-whoa-oh!)
(Verse 2)
(Drums keep a steady, slow groove. Bass is heavy and warm)
I told my baby that I’m gonna be a better man
But promises are easy when you got a shaking hand.
I see the worry in her eyes when she looks at me
She’s searching for the person that I used to be.
I don't want to lose her, I don't want to lose it all
But the higher that I climb, man, the harder that I fall.
(Pre-Chorus)
And I know, I know, I know I’m playing with fire.
Burning down the house just to get a little higher.
(Chorus)
(Full Power)
‘Cause there’s a devil at the doorstep and he’s calling my name!
He says, "Come on out and play inside the flame!"
I’m fighting for my life, I’m fighting for my breath
Dancing on the tightrope between living and death!
Oh, somebody save me, ‘cause I can’t save myself!
I’m trying to put the poison back up on the shelf!
(Bridge)
(Music drops out except for a singular electric guitar playing blues licks)
(Vocals - Run-heavy, soulful ad-libs)
I’m tired of running.
(I’m so tired...)
I’m tired of hiding.
(No more hiding...)
I need a little grace.
I need a little mercy.
Lord, wash me clean...
WASH ME CLEAN!
(Guitar Solo)
(Searing, bluesy guitar solo that mimics the vocal melody)
(Outro)
(Slows down. Back to just the piano)
The devil’s at the doorstep...
But I ain't letting him in.
No, I ain't letting him in.
Not tonight.
(Deep exhale)
Not tonight.

2762/7500

(Intro) (A lonely, gospel-tinged piano plays slow chords. There’s a slight hiss of tape noise.) (Vocals - Soft, breathy, slightly cracked) Ooh... yeah. Lord have mercy on my soul. Mmm. (Verse 1) (Piano continues, joined by a soft finger-snap beat) I woke up shaking on the kitchen floor again With a memory of who I was, and who I could have been. The bottle’s empty, staring at me like a loaded gun I promised Mama that the wild days were done. But there’s a hunger in my veins that I can’t explain A temporary sunshine for a permanent rain. I look in the mirror, but the glass is getting cracked I walked a mile away, but I keep running back. (Pre-Chorus) (Organ swells in the background. Vocals get louder, raspier) And I know, I know, I know I’m playing with fire. Burning down the house just to get a little higher. My hands are tied, but the knot is slipping loose I’m running out of reasons, running out of excuse. (Chorus) (Explosion of sound - Big drums, bass, and soulful backing choir) (Vocals - Full Belting Power) ‘Cause there’s a devil at the doorstep and he’s calling my name! He says, "Come on out and play inside the flame!" I’m fighting for my life, I’m fighting for my breath Dancing on the tightrope between living and death! Oh, somebody save me, ‘cause I can’t save myself! I’m trying to put the poison back up on the shelf! Yeah! Back on the shelf! (Ooh-whoa-oh!) (Verse 2) (Drums keep a steady, slow groove. Bass is heavy and warm) I told my baby that I’m gonna be a better man But promises are easy when you got a shaking hand. I see the worry in her eyes when she looks at me She’s searching for the person that I used to be. I don't want to lose her, I don't want to lose it all But the higher that I climb, man, the harder that I fall. (Pre-Chorus) And I know, I know, I know I’m playing with fire. Burning down the house just to get a little higher. (Chorus) (Full Power) ‘Cause there’s a devil at the doorstep and he’s calling my name! He says, "Come on out and play inside the flame!" I’m fighting for my life, I’m fighting for my breath Dancing on the tightrope between living and death! Oh, somebody save me, ‘cause I can’t save myself! I’m trying to put the poison back up on the shelf! (Bridge) (Music drops out except for a singular electric guitar playing blues licks) (Vocals - Run-heavy, soulful ad-libs) I’m tired of running. (I’m so tired...) I’m tired of hiding. (No more hiding...) I need a little grace. I need a little mercy. Lord, wash me clean... WASH ME CLEAN! (Guitar Solo) (Searing, bluesy guitar solo that mimics the vocal melody) (Outro) (Slows down. Back to just the piano) The devil’s at the doorstep... But I ain't letting him in. No, I ain't letting him in. Not tonight. (Deep exhale) Not tonight.

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