[110 BPM in E minor. Simple early-80s drum-machine pattern, dry short kick, short electronic snare, closed hi-hats, minimal fills. Analog synth bass with a steady syncopated pattern. Short sequenced synth motif, sparse poly-synth chords and restrained electronic lead. Low female vocal register, controlled conversational phrasing.] [Intro - instrumental] [Simple electronic drum-machine groove, analog synth bass, short repeating synth motif] [Verse 1 - low, controlled, conversational] I found your photograph inside a book, Between two pages that I never look. The corners were worn, the colours turned to gold, You were smiling like the story had been told. There was a table underneath the trees, A summer afternoon, a gentle breeze. You had your hand around my waist, And I remembered that familiar face. [Refrain - restrained, rhythmic] But the photograph lied, It showed us looking happy. The photograph lied, It made the ending disappear. It captured one second, And hid the rest of the year. [Verse 2 - steady] I turned it over, hoping for a date, There was a little sentence written in your hand. "Remember this forever." Funny how a photograph Can make a stranger out of someone you once knew. I looked at the dress I wore that day, The little silver shoes, the flowers in my hair. I remembered leaving early, And I remembered why you weren't there. [Instrumental Section - instrumental only] [Sequenced synth bass, sparse poly-synth chords, short electronic lead] [Verse 3 - lower, reflective] You were already planning your escape, I just didn't know the shape it would take. While I was smiling for the camera, You were counting every minute until you left. The photographer said, "One more, please," You pulled me closer underneath the trees. I thought you wanted to remember me. You only wanted proof that you had once been there. [Main Refrain - firm, same low register] The photograph lied, It showed us looking happy. The photograph lied, It made the ending disappear. It captured one second, And hid the rest of the year. [Bridge - spoken, low and dry] I almost threw it away. Then I understood. It wasn't lying about the picture. It was lying about us. [Final Refrain - stronger phrasing, not higher pitch] The photograph lied, But I don't blame the camera. It only kept the moment I was too young to understand. The photograph lied, And now I let it go. You can keep the perfect picture. I know what happened after. [Outro - instrumental] [Short synth motif repeats over analog bass and dry electronic drums] One second was beautiful. That was all.
