Many Many Times

[Genre: Indie Folk Pop, Harajuku Teen Bedroom Pop] [Mood: bittersweet, nostalgic, youthful, lonely but cute] [Female Vocal: soft teenage Japanese voice, breathy, fragile, slightly shaky, intimate close-mic, natural imperfect English] [Mix: cassette warmth, vinyl crackle, soft spring reverb, light tape delay] [Instruments: fingerpicked acoustic guitar, muted drums, warm bass, glockenspiel, soft analog synth pads] [Gear Influence: Martin D-28, Roland Juno-60, OP-1, Tascam Portastudio] [Atmosphere: walking alone in Harajuku at night after a breakup, remembering someone too many times] [Arrangement: minimal, emotional space, restrained dynamics, layered whisper harmonies in chorus] [Intro / Whisper] Many many times… Too many times… I swallowed your name into the night [Verse 1] Wide awake again Tracing through the screen All the words I erased Still echo inside me After “see you soon” I wanted something more Checking silent notifications Like before [Pre-Chorus] Every time I say “I’ll be alright” A little piece of my heart Fades out of sight [Chorus] Many many times I called your shadow in the dark Too many times Holding onto sparks that fell apart Many many times I laughed just to hide the pain Too many times Mornings without you felt like rain [Verse 2] City lights flicker Soft against my skin Every little memory Pulls me back again I know there’s no way To return to yesterday But my heart keeps searching Anyway [Bridge / Soft Rap] Many many times Replay in my head Too many times Words I never said Tried to let you go Tried to set me free But your ghost still breathes Inside of me [Final Chorus] Many many times The tears already dried away Too many times But the ache inside still stays Many many times I thought goodbye was enough Too many times… I still reach for your love [Outro / Whisper] Many many times… Too many times… Only the night Knows why