[GLOBAL] Melody first. Keep the verses loose and behind the beat with constant pocket movement. Do not over-sing or drag every ending. Use brief falsetto lifts, low drops, clipped rap bursts, hard stops and selective held notes only where marked. Hook opens wider and more addictive. Ad-libs are sparse private thoughts that reveal something the lead did not say; no hype filler or simple echoes. [VERSE 1 — low, loose melody] I know, I know you love me I can tell, don’t gotta speak [brief drag on “weak”] You get too close, I get weak Hate how easy you get to me (you like it) [brighter pocket] All black, riding by the water You look better next to me Whole night with your legs on mine Like that’s where they supposed to be [drop low] Close my eyes, I still see you That’s too close for me [tighten pocket] I ain’t saying that you lying I just know what people be (I know what I was) [open melody | drag “love”] I can’t trust love I can’t trust love [hard stop] These women lie for free [CHORUS — immediate lift] She hit my phone while he at home “Come see me…” I know what she mean [drop low] Same night Down on her knees He call from the pen She switch her tone “Baby, what you need?” [beat breathes | dry] And I’m supposed to trust love? [hard stop] Please. [big melodic drag on “karma”] I won’t let you be my karma I won’t let you be my karma [quick slick pocket] Too fly to be somewhere looking crazy It’s been my turn too many times I won’t let this turn on me [VERSE 2 — slicker, more pocket switches] Black truck, windows too dark She still know which one is me He send flowers to the crib She spend that night with me [short rap burst] Don’t ask if I think I’m better [pause | melodic smirk] Baby, obviously [drop low] Still don’t make me bulletproof Pretty girls still cheat [melody returns] I done been the name she hide The number saved under something else Watched her tell him “I love you” Then turn around and give me herself Tell me, “Rose, you different” Yeah, baby, I agree (still don’t save me) I could give you everything you wanted People still want what they shouldn’t reach [PRE-CHORUS — exposed, softer] You look good in my passenger Feet up, seat laid back Tell me I’m the only one Girl, I wanna believe that (I almost do) I done been the other side Too many times to play naive [melody rises] So if I finally let you have me Don’t make me regret believing [CHORUS — fullest vocal] She hit my phone while he at home “Come see me…” I know what she mean Same night Down on her knees He call from the pen She switch her tone “Baby, what you need?” And I’m supposed to trust love? Please. [big drag] I won’t let you be my karma (maybe I earned it) I won’t let you be my karma Too fly to be somewhere looking crazy It’s been my turn too many times I won’t let this turn on me [OUTRO — fragmented, low] I know, I know you love me That ain’t what I don’t believe I just know people And I know me I had my turn Too many times Don’t let it turn on me
