[Intro] They say keep in touch. Stay close. Make the effort. [Verse 1] They repeat it like a rule you’re meant to follow Call your family, don’t let distance settle So you check in, ask how things are going Short replies, like they’re just getting through it You try again a week or two later Same pattern, nothing really changes You carry the contact, keep it consistent They respond just enough to say they didn’t miss it They talk about closeness like it’s automatic Like it exists without anyone having to act on it But every call feels like it’s on your side And every silence feels like they decided [Pre-Chorus] You start to notice who keeps it alive And who only shows up when it suits their time [Chorus] They say family matters, don’t let it drift But they don’t reach out unless there’s something to fix No call just to ask how you’ve been But they expect you there the moment they’re in It’s always on you to maintain the line They disappear, then return on demand They say stay close like it’s something defined But it only exists when they need a hand [Verse 2] You stop reaching first, just to see what happens Days turn quiet, then weeks pass after Nothing comes through, no check-in, no word Like your absence doesn’t even register Then out of nowhere, your phone lights up No context, just a request upfront No lead-in, no “how have you been” Just straight to the point like you’re built for it They don’t see the gap, or they choose to ignore it Like the silence before doesn’t matter at all You answer once, and it resets the pattern Back to the role they expect you to handle [Pre-Chorus] It’s clear by now how the contact works It isn’t about you, it’s about your use [Chorus] They say family matters, don’t let it drift But they don’t reach out unless there’s something to fix No call just to ask how you’ve been But they expect you there the moment they’re in It’s always on you to maintain the line They disappear, then return on demand They say stay close like it’s something defined But it only exists when they need a hand [Bridge] You followed what they said it should be Stayed in contact, kept things steady But it only worked in one direction And they never questioned it [Breakdown] No message. No effort. Until they need something. [Chorus] They say family matters, don’t let it drift But they don’t reach out unless there’s something to fix No call just to ask how you’ve been But they expect you there the moment they’re in It’s always on you to maintain the line They disappear, then return on demand They say stay close like it’s something defined But it only exists when they need a hand [Outro] They said stay close. You did. They didn’t.
