[Nostalgic Midwest emo / melodic post-hardcore. Emotional clean guitars with a memorable opening riff, dynamic build, soaring chorus, no screaming.] [Male vocals. Youthful high-tenor. Clean theatrical post-hardcore delivery.] [Verse 1] [Intimate close-mic vocals over restrained clean guitars.] Lies, they hollowed out the house Your empty bottles everywhere You passed out in that chair I locked myself in that bedroom Curtains closed all afternoon Headphones couldn't drown out the silence [Verse 2] [Slightly warmer delivery. Hopeful, reflective.] In that crowded hallway I don't remember what they said I just remember your smile You stood by me You held love out in open hands While mine stayed clenched How could I ever hold you close When I couldn't stand myself near? [Pre-Chorus] [Emotion builds naturally with quiet tension.] She said, "Becks... your mouth's stitched shut." I reached for the dashboard And turned the music up Hoped it'd all go quiet [Chorus] [Soaring melodic vocals. Natural voice cracks. Layered guitars.] I'm not ready, I'm not ready Don't rip these stitches out I'm not ready, I'm not ready I don't want to bleed out (bleed out!) all over you all over you I'm barely holding on I'm barely holding on Don't try to hold me Don't touch my bandages I'm not ready... I'm not— [Bridge] [Pull everything back. Fragile, almost breaking. Sparse instrumentation.] Now I'm shivering In a house that feels so empty Don't rip the stitches out too quickly The porch light died away Nobody left to hear me I'm not ready, no I'm not— [scream this part] Still talking to the silence! [Final Chorus 2x] [Biggest emotional release. Full band. Desperate but controlled. Second time big cathartic release, even bigger second chorus] [sustain these lines for emphasis] I'm not ready, I'm not ready Don't rip these stitches out I'm not ready, I'm not ready I don't want to bleed out (bleed out!) all over you all over you mm-mmm I'm barely holding on I'm barely holding on Don't try to hold me Don't touch my bandages I'm not ready... I'm not—
