[Intro — close, almost spoken] You said, “Never mind.” I let you. Used to ask you what you meant. [Verse 1 — relaxed, behind the beat] You start telling me about your day, get halfway, then you stop. Look at me across the kitchen, say, “It’s nothing. I forgot.” I keep looking at my phone, like I didn’t hear the change. You used to talk right over me. Now you wait. [Pre-Chorus] I say, “You can tell me.” You say, “I know.” But you don’t. And I know. [Chorus — clear melody, restrained lift] I made you careful when you talk to me. You stop yourself where you used to speak. Then I ask, “Baby, why you so quiet?” Like I don’t know. Like I don’t know. I made you careful— with me. [Verse 2 — plain, direct] You told me something late one night, said you hadn’t told a soul. I pulled you closer when you said it. Said, “You know I’d never go.” Then we fought about some little thing. I could feel you had me wrong. Reached for what you told me, just to get the last word won. [Pre-Chorus — quieter] I remember what I said. You remember how it felt. Now you tell me, “I’m just tired.” I used to get the rest. [Chorus] I made you careful when you talk to me. You stop yourself where you used to speak. Then I ask, “Baby, why you so quiet?” Like I don’t know. Like I don’t know. I made you careful— with me. [Post-Chorus — one low self-answer] Careful… with me. [Bridge — drums thin out] You say, “You always do that.” I start, “That’s not—” There I go again, cutting you off. I put my phone down. Let you take your time. You say, “I’m still upset.” I say, “Alright.” [Final Chorus — fuller, one earned vocal lift] I made you careful when you talk to me. You stop yourself where you used to speak. I almost ask, “Baby, why you so quiet?” But I know. Yeah, I know. I made you careful— with me. [Outro — exposed vocal, guitar remains] That story from earlier… the part I didn’t get. You say, “It’s kind of a long one.” I say, “Go ahead.”
