[45 BPM slow-burn contemporary anti-folk × anti-pop. One dry upright piano, one close fiddle and one youthful male high-tenor in a single centered take. The same lone voice continues unchanged through every section; piano and fiddle create every lift.] [VERSE 1: SINGLE MALE LEAD] [Crooked piano loop; fiddle adds faint held notes and nervous bow tremors. Intimate talk-singing, slightly behind the beat] Don’t need to think about overthinking It just comes so naturally to me Like an automatic function, I set it then forget-et-et But it always shows up when I don’t want it, or… when I… [Both instruments hesitate and cut out] …least expect-et-it [Piano restarts incorrectly; dry fiddle pizzicato distracts] So I hug my dog—oh, I named him Sushi, plus a few pet names Tried to teach him how to roll so I could call him Sushi-Roll Then my mind got buzzin’ like cable TV losin’ connection Three weeks later, and I’m back on the couch with cheap ramen in my bowl [False resolution from piano; fiddle holds one uncertain note] I’ll start Monday with a brand-new goal… [PRE-CHORUS: SAME SINGLE MALE LEAD] [One unchanged dry centered voice. Piano loops compulsively; fiddle circles in short twitchy phrases. Tension rises instrumentally] I’ll start Monday with a brand-new goal Spend all Sunday planning how it goes Every little answer gets a sequel Every simple thought becomes unequal If my brain is only trying to help me… Could it help a little less? [CHORUS: SAME SINGLE MALE LEAD] [One voice in one take. Piano turns insistent; fiddle interrupts with bow catches, slides and tremors. Restless and controlled] Why can’t my anxiety Be my ex-eye-ett-tee? Why can’t my mind Mind its own business? Why can’t my thoughts Think a bit more consciously? [Same solo singer; sustained lead vocalization] Oh-oh-oh… Why does my brain Always race my heart? Why do my hands Shake before I even start? [Same solo singer; exposed lead vocalization] Oh-oh-oo—oo— Why?—… Why? Why, why-eye-eye-ee-ee? [VERSE 2: SINGLE MALE LEAD] [Piano resumes its automatic loop; fiddle follows the singer’s breath with uneven bows and small bends] Sometimes I get too conscious of my breathing Manually inhaling like an illness I started treating Oh, I’m a little too A.D.D. mixed with a little bit of obsession And gaht PTSD from being a little too obb-zur-vent Depression is just anxiety after too many harsh lessons But if I stay stuck in this mindset I’ll never get to have my mind set— On getting better… Getting better… Bitter? “—I mean Better!” “What IS better?” [BRIDGE: SINGLE MALE LEAD] [Sparse low piano and tense exposed fiddle. Piano reverses its motif as the fiddle gradually smooths] Oh-oh, but I’m tired of being exhausted— And I’d rather be my mind’s ex-Haustage I’ll try rememberin’ how I’m feelin’ during my next therapy session I guess I can try a little reframing of my previous questions I’ll reverse the meaning—I’ll be introspective I tried digging real deep, and it’s not what I’d ex-peck-tedd… [PRE-CHORUS 2: SAME SINGLE MALE LEAD] [Brief silence, then the lone singer restarts self-consciously. Piano and fiddle stumble together] Oh, so now… For real this time… I swear! I’ll start Monday with a brand-new goal Spend all Sunday planning how it goes Every little answer gets a sequel Every simple thought becomes an equal Oh, my brain is only trying to help me… Please try helping me less… Please… [SOFT CHORUS: SAME SINGLE MALE LEAD] [One dry intimate voice; piano leaves space and fiddle changes from tremors to long gentle lines] Yeah, why can’t my anxiety Be my ex-eye-ett-tee? Why can’t my mind Mind its own business? Why can’t my thoughts Why can’t my thoughts Think more consciously? [Same solo singer; soft lead vocalization] Oh-oh-oh… Can’t my brain Walk alongside my heart? Can’t my hands relax before I start? Why?—… Why? Why, why-eye-eye-ee-ee? Why can’t I? [FINAL CHORUS: SAME SINGLE MALE LEAD] [Vocal remains one dry centered take. Piano and fiddle gain motion and finally share one pulse; only instruments expand] Yeah, why can’t my anxiety Be my ex-eye-ett-tee? Why can’t my mind Mind its own business? Why can’t my thoughts Think more kindly— To me? [Same solo singer; sustained lead vocalization] Oh-oh-oh… Can’t my brain Walk alongside my heart? Can’t my hands relax before I start? Why?—… Why? Why, why-eye-eye-ee-ee? Why can’t I?— Why not?— How can I?— I can, can’t I? I can… Yeah… [Piano separates from fiddle; unresolved chord beneath one questioning fiddle note] I’ll start Monday… [End abruptly]
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