[Intro: Slow blues groove, warm electric piano, subtle bass, soft drums, light guitar] [Verse 1: Deep, storytelling, soulful male vocal, intimate tone] Once a man said… Love don’t always stay, Sometimes it just walks out And fades away… Once a man said… Time will ease the pain, But I’m still here tonight Calling out your name… [Pre-Chorus: Slight emotional lift, minimal instrumentation] And I try to believe Every word he said… But the truth hits harder Every night instead… [Chorus: Soulful, emotional, blues phrasing, strong feeling] Once a man said… Hearts can learn to heal, But mine keeps holding on To what I still feel Once a man said… You gotta let it go, But every time I try I just lose control [Verse 2: Warmer, slightly fuller groove, reflective tone] Once a man said… You’ll find love again, But every face I see Just reminds me when… Once a man said… You’ll be stronger soon, But I’m still lost out here Underneath this moon… [Pre-Chorus: Building slightly, emotional layering] And I hear his voice Like a distant sound… But it don’t mean nothing When you’re not around… [Chorus: Fuller, expressive, soulful delivery] Once a man said… Hearts can learn to heal, But mine keeps holding on To what I still feel Once a man said… You gotta let it go, But every time I try I just lose control [Instrumental Break: Blues guitar solo, expressive bends, emotional phrasing] [Bridge: Stripped down, almost spoken, deep emotion] Maybe he was right… Maybe I’m just blind… Or maybe love like this Don’t leave your mind… Maybe time will come… Maybe I’ll be free… But tonight it still Feels like you and me… [Final Chorus: Strong emotional delivery, vocal runs, soulful ad-libs] Once a man said… Hearts can learn to heal, But mine keeps holding on To what I still feel Once a man said… You gotta let it go, But every time I try I just lose control [Outro: Fading piano, soft guitar, emotional ad-libs] Once a man said… But what if he was wrong… And I’ve been holding on… All along…
