It doesn't have to be a song But I have to make it one I just had to choose this Now look what I've begun Some days there's nothing I can name Just too much waiting in my chest I put a few words on a page And let the piano do the rest The first attempt is mostly noise But something loosens when I sing Then one small change gives it a shape And now I care about the thing I could leave it rough like that It did the job I needed done But there's a tune beneath the mess I want to hear before I'm done Getting it out gives me relief Getting it right means something to me I change a word, I move a note And hear what I was reaching for My love for expression Has become my obsession It's the only tool I've got To fight off depression It doesn't have to be a song But I have to make it one I need somewhere for this to go And something beautiful to come I let it out It builds back up It helped tonight That means a lot It doesn't have to be a song But I have to make it one I play it back and close my eyes That little lift still gets to me For once I like what I've put down Enough to let the rough bits be I hope you find some beauty here You don't have to feel my ache Or know what happened in my head Before I knew what I could make But later, washing out a cup I feel the pressure start again The song is finished, I'm still here With something else I can't explain It did its work, it gave me room I felt a little lighter too I wasn't asking it to last I'm glad I made it when I had to My love for expression Has become my obsession It's the only tool I've got To fight off depression It doesn't have to be a song But I have to make it one I need somewhere for this to go And something beautiful to come I let it out It builds back up It helped tonight That means a lot It doesn't have to be a song But I have to make it one (Make it one) (Make it one) I could have talked I could have cried I could have walked Till it got light Sometimes I do Sometimes it helps Tonight I want To make something else Something I'll play On a better day And still find worth The time it takes I just had to choose this The words, the sound, the hours I get to put the feeling down Then make something of it that's ours One more word One more try There's the part I had in mind Play it back Let it run I still love What it's become My love for expression Has become my obsession It's the only tool I've got To fight off depression It doesn't have to be a song But I have to make it one I need somewhere for this to go And something beautiful to come I let it out It builds back up It helped tonight That means a lot It doesn't have to be a song But I have to make it one I just had to choose this And I'd choose it again Even knowing I'll be back here With a page and the same old pen It doesn't have to be a song But listen to what it's become
