Paper Patches
[Verse 1: Soft breathy vocals, minimalist bass, dry percussion] I’m driving down the PCH at midnight Just to feel the wind against my face Staring at the neon in the rearview Trying to find a way to leave this place I got a closet full of glitter and some vintage lace But it’s just a costume for the empty space Yeah, I’m "totally fine," that’s what I tell my friends While I’m waiting for the weekend to begin. [Pre-Chorus: Building sub-bass, rhythmic vocal delivery] And I know, yeah I know it’s a lie Like a sunset fading in a hazy sky I’m just reaching for a bottle or a late-night call Anything to keep me from the waterfall. [Chorus: Anthemic drop, heavy dry drums, pulsing synths, layered vocals] But these are just paper patches on a broken heart Trying to hold together what is falling apart A little bit of magic, a little bit of gold To cover up the stories that’ll never be told It’s a temporary fix, a California dream But I’m still bursting at the seams Yeah, I’m just taping up the cracks in the dark With these paper patches on my heart. [Verse 2: Mid-tempo, steady electronic beat, clean production] Walking through the party like a movie star Sunglasses on so you can't see the scar I’m like, "Oh my god, I love this song!" But I’m just praying that I can belong It’s all designer labels and expensive wine To mask the fact I’m running out of time. [Pre-Chorus: Rising tension, staccato synth stabs] And I know, yeah I know it’s a lie Like a Hollywood ending that I’ll never buy I’m just reaching for a stranger or a neon light Anything to get me through the night. [Chorus: Powerful mezzo-soprano belting, full production] But these are just paper patches on a broken heart Trying to hold together what is falling apart A little bit of magic, a little bit of gold To cover up the stories that’ll never be told It’s a temporary fix, a California dream But I’m still bursting at the seams Yeah, I’m just taping up the cracks in the dark With these paper patches on my heart. [Bridge: Music stops, stripped back, emotional intimacy] [Low and breathy] You can’t fix a flood with a paper cup You can’t keep the sun from coming up [Building energy, heavy reverb] I’m tired of the glitter, I’m tired of the show I just want a place where I can let it go! [Belting] Let it go! Yeah! [Guitar Solo: Melodic pop-rock solo, bright tone] [Final Chorus: Explosive, maximum volume, anthemic wall of sound] ‘Cause these are just paper patches on a broken heart Trying to hold together what is falling apart A little bit of magic, a little bit of gold To cover up the stories that’ll never be told It’s a temporary fix, a California dream But I’m still bursting at the seams Yeah, I’m just taping up the cracks in the dark With these paper patches on my heart. [Outro: Sudden drop to silence, airy synths, fading whisper] Just paper patches... In the California dark... I’m "totally fine"... [End: Clean cut]
