Still Know That Turn

[INTRO — DUSTY SOUL LOOP, THICK BASS, DRY SNARE] [MALE VOICE — RELAXED, SLIGHT GRIN] Funny how the streets change. People too. [BEAT SETTLES INTO A DEEP WEST COAST POCKET] [HOOK — RHYTHMIC, MELODIC, MEMORABLE] Still know that turn Still know that bend They changed the road I know where I've been Ain't tryna go back I'm good where I'm at But every now and then I take that road again [VERSE 1 — LAID-BACK, INTERNAL RHYMES] Same corner store, different name on the sign, Same dude outside saying, "Man, it's been a long time." He used to never speak, now he asking where I been, Funny what a few years do to somebody's grin. New paint on the walls, old cracks underneath, Everybody got a story, not everybody speaks. They tore down the spot where we used to hang late, Put a gym in its place — now they charge you for weights. I laughed at that, pulled away from the curb, Radio low, caught a voice I ain't heard. Old song playing, knew the words before the hook, Took one wrong turn on purpose, had another look. Some folks moved on, some still around, Some got real quiet when the money came down. I don't keep a list, I don't need to pretend, I just know who's still there when the good times end. [HOOK — RELAXED, SOULFUL DELIVERY] Still know that turn Still know that bend They changed the road I know where I've been Ain't tryna go back I'm good where I'm at But every now and then I take that road again [INSTRUMENTAL — 8 BARS] [SOUL GUITAR, WARM RHODES, DEEP BASS] [HEAD-NOD POCKET CONTINUES] [VERSE 2 — MORE RHYTHMIC CONFIDENCE] Seen a lot of faces, heard a lot of versions, Some folks stay busy giving everybody sermons. Same ones with advice never show when it's time, But they know what you should've done with yours and mine. Used to get worked up, now I let it ride, Can't steer another car from the passenger side. I keep my hands on mine, let the road unfold, Not every little story needs to get retold. Had a friend pull up, said, "You ain't changed a bit." I said, "Man, my knees would disagree with that." We stood there laughing, talking over old times, Then went our separate ways when the light turned green. I ain't looking for the person I was back then, Just remember how it felt having nothing but friends. Some things got better, some I wouldn't defend, But if you ask where I'm from, I still know that bend. [SHORT INSTRUMENTAL BREAK] [BASS AND RHODES ANSWER THE VOCAL] [BRIDGE — MELODIC, UNDERSTATED] Some roads close Some names fade Some folks change Some things stay [FINAL HOOK — FULL GROOVE] Still know that turn Still know that bend They changed the road I know where I've been Ain't tryna go back I'm good where I'm at But every now and then I take that road again [EXTENDED INSTRUMENTAL OUTRO] [WARM SOUL MELODY, DRY DRUMS, ROLLING BASS] [FINAL VOCAL — LOW, NATURAL] Yeah. Still know that turn.