TITLE: MY OWN LIFE [Intro - Processed vocal fragments, distant synths] (how you been...) (how you been...) Everybody ask... How you been... [reverse vocal swell] Sometimes... I don't know... [Verse 1 – Male lead, conversational, late-night honesty] You asked me why I work so late Said "money" way too fast Truth is I sit in the parking lot Sometimes just to make the silence last Paper cup by the sink Still got lipstick on the side Been meaning to throw it out For months now Guess I never decided Everybody think I'm focused Everybody think I'm good Truth is I've been getting by The best way that I could [Pre-Chorus – Building harmonies, atmospheric pads] I've been carrying weight I don't talk about And I've been smiling through things I can't figure out [Chorus - Massive future soul, layered harmonies, wide stereo vocals] Tryna stay alive Inside my own life [Ghostly vocoder harmonies only on the words 'my own life] (My own life...) Tryna stay alive Inside my own life (Inside my own life...) Everybody see me moving They don't see the long nights [Verse 2 – More vulnerable, awareness shift] Mama called around noon Asked if I'd been outside today Looked at the same pair of shoes By the heater Didn't know what to say Dust on the guitar case That hit harder than it should Used to play for hours Back when everything felt good You laughed in the middle of talking Then covered your mouth right away Like joy had become expensive Yeah... I felt that [Pre-Chorus – Stronger, wider harmonies] Every bill got a story Every scar got a name I've been calling it strength But maybe it ain't the same [Chorus – Fuller production, wider stereo vocals] Tryna stay alive inside my own life [Ghostly vocoder harmonies only on the words 'my own life] (My own life...) Tryna stay alive inside my own life (Inside my own life...) Everybody see me moving They don't see the long nights Got so used to surviving I forgot what it feels like [Bridge - Beat drops away, ambient synths, vocoder textures] Thought one day I'd wake up And everything would change [vocoder harmony] Everything would change... Maybe healing ain't dramatic Maybe it moves slow Maybe it's answering the phone When nobody knows [Build – Rising synths, heartbeat kick] Another day... Another day... (My own life...) Another day... [Final Chorus – Emotional release, stacked harmonies] Tryna stay alive inside my own life [Ghostly vocoder harmonies only on the words 'my own life] (My own life...) Tryna stay alive inside my own life (Inside my own life...) And for the first time in a while I think I might be alright Opened up the window this morning Let the cold air inside Still got a mess around me Still got tired in my eyes But tonight feels a little different Tonight feels a little like mine Tryna stay alive inside my own life [Ghostly vocoder harmonies only on the words 'my own life] (My own life...) Inside my own life [Outro – Ambient fade, vocoder echoes, city atmosphere] Yeah... My own life... (My own life...) Sun came up slow But it came up anyway... Mmm... Inside my own life... [reverse piano fade]
