[INTRO — CLEAN ELECTRIC GUITAR, LOW PIANO, DISTANT ROOM DRUMS] [MALE LEAD ONLY — CLOSE, RESTRAINED] You showed me something was wrong. I'll give you that. [PAUSE] But if I only change while you're watching, I didn't really change. [VERSE 1 — MALE LEAD ONLY] I hurt you. No softer word makes that disappear. I missed the signs. Defended myself. Made apologies with exits built in. Then losing your trust made everything obvious. For a while I said: "You made me better." It sounded grateful. But it left you carrying a job that was always mine. [PRE-CHORUS — MALE LEAD ONLY] You can wake me up. You don't have to keep me awake. [CHORUS — MALE LEAD + MALE HARMONIES] I'LL OWN THE REASON! OWN THE CHANGE! I WON'T PUT MY BETTER DAYS ON SOMEBODY ELSE TO MAINTAIN! OWN THE REASON! DO THE WORK! YOU MAY HAVE SHOWN ME THE MIRROR— BUT I DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! [GUITAR TURN] [VERSE 2 — MALE LEAD ONLY] Real change gets boring. That's how you know it might be real. Same choice on Tuesday. Same restraint when nobody claps. Same apology without demanding instant forgiveness. Same boundary. Same honesty. Same work after the crisis stops feeling dramatic. [PAUSE] Growth that needs an audience is still performing. [CHORUS — MALE LEAD + MALE HARMONIES] I'LL OWN THE REASON! OWN THE CHANGE! I DON'T NEED YOUR CONSTANT PRESENCE TO KEEP ME FROM MY OLD WAYS! OWN THE REASON! LET IT STAY! IF YOU WALK A DIFFERENT ROAD, THE WORK I STARTED DOESN'T WALK AWAY! [INSTRUMENTAL — DISTORTED GUITAR BUILD, NO VOCALS] [VERSE 3 — MALE LEAD ONLY] And if you forgive me, thank you. If you don't, I still owe the lesson my attention. Repair isn't a transaction. I don't become different to purchase your return. I change because what I did was wrong, because I saw it, because I don't want to carry that version of myself into another room. [BRIDGE — BAND DROPS, PIANO + CLEAN GUITAR] [MALE LEAD ONLY] People can inspire us. Love can expose us. Loss can shake the locked door open. But eventually I have to walk through without asking you to stand there forever holding it for me. [BUILD — DRUMS RETURN] You were a reason I finally looked. You are not responsible for what I do with what I saw. [FINAL CHORUS — FULL BAND + STACKED MALE HARMONIES] I'LL OWN THE REASON! OWN THE CHANGE! NOT FOR PRAISE! NOT FOR FEAR! NOT TO MAKE YOU STAY! OWN THE REASON! DAY BY DAY! IF THIS BETTER VERSION ONLY LIVS WHEN YOU'RE BESIDE ME, IT WAS NEVER MINE TO CLAIM! OWN THE REASON! KEEP IT TRUE! I CAN THANK YOU FOR THE WAKE-UP WITHOUT MAKING MY WHOLE FUTURE DEPEND ON YOU! [FINAL BREAKDOWN — MALE VOICES ONLY] [MALE GROUP] FAULT! [MALE LEAD] NAME IT. [MALE GROUP] LESSON! [MALE LEAD] LEARN IT. [MALE GROUP] CHANGE! [MALE LEAD] LIVE IT. [MALE GROUP] PRAISE! [MALE LEAD] DON'T NEED IT. [MALE GROUP] REASON! [MALE LEAD] OWN IT. [OUTRO — CLEAN GUITAR + PIANO] [MALE LEAD ONLY] You helped me see the door. [PAUSE] But I have to be the one who keeps walking through it.
