[Intro — Sparse clean guitar, low electronic drone, intimate and weary male vocals] I knew the sound of trouble Before I knew its name, The footsteps down the hallway, The apologies for pain. I was twelve the first time A man knocked the breath from me. Your father reached to hurt you, And I decided he'd need to go through me... [Verse 1 — Slow, melodic, restrained] It wasn't where your story started, Just where I made my vow. I'd be the one who stood beside you. And I am still standing there now. Your ride or die, your midnight driver, Your shoulder when the world grew colder. You never promised me forever. I never asked to get it back. You called me friend; I called it something I could live with, more or less. I never needed you to love me. I just couldn't stand you couldn't love yourself! [Pre-Chorus — Sub-bass rises, restrained drums building] Every call, I came running. Every fight, I took the blame. I kept standing in the wreckage, Swearing next time I'd win the game. [Chorus — Explosive nu metal guitars, pounding drums, anguished melodic vocals] I've been around long enough to see myself turn into the bad guy in your eyes. I'm the reason that he's bleeding, I'm the one who spoils your time. I'm the shadow at the doorway When you run back to his arms. No good deed goes unpunished! Every rescue leaves a scar. I've been around long enough to see myself turn into the bad guy in your eyes. [Verse 2 — Syncopated rap-rock delivery, aggressive bass and electronic percussion] Another man, another warning, Another promise dressed in gold. He wants your body, not your spirit, Wants you frightened, bought, controlled. A whore to shame, a hole to use, A pretty little thing to own. And when he shows you what he really is, Guess who gets the midnight phone? I'm trading blows in parking lots, I'm dragging you out of burning rooms. You swear he's changed, you tell me I'm jealous, Then I'm sweeping up the ruins. I wish you'd love yourself enough To know you don't deserve this shit. You keep mistaking pain for passion, And I keep paying for it. [Pre-Chorus — Beat drops to a heartbeat-like kick, voice turning bitter] And here's the thought I never speak, The one that makes me hate myself: Do you like it when they hurt you? Do you like me on the shelf? Do you need to watch me bleeding Just to know somebody cares? Or have I made myself so useful That you'd rather leave me there? [Chorus — Full distorted guitars, fierce drums, layered anguished vocals] I've been around long enough to see myself turn into the bad guy in your eyes. I'm the reason that he's bleeding, I'm the one who spoils your time. I'm the shadow at the doorway When you run back to his arms. No good deed goes unpunished! Now I'm guilty for your scars. I've been around long enough to see myself turn into the bad guy in your eyes. [Bridge — Half-time electronic rock, clean guitar, vocals breaking with exhaustion] I don't want to let you go. God, I don't know how to even begin to try. You've been my reason for the fighting, My whole identity as "That Guy". Who am I if I'm not saving you? What remains when I stand down? Just a boy who took a punch for you Still waiting for you to turn around. But I can't make you choose a better life. I can't make you see your worth. I can stand between you and the fire— I can't stop you walking in first. [Final Chorus — Massive alternative-metal climax, desperate melodic belt, aggressive backing vocals] I've been around long enough to see myself turn into the bad guy in your eyes! Every hand I pulled you back from Is a hand you reach for every time. I'm the monster in your story, I'm the reason you can't stay. No good deed goes unpunished! I've given everything away. I've been around long enough to see myself turn into the bad guy in your eyes! [Outro — Instruments collapse into clean guitar and a fragile vocal] I was twelve when I stood between you And the first fist I ever knew. I thought if I could take the beating, I could keep the world from hurting you. But you're still running toward the wreckage, And I'm still standing where you fell. I know how to fight the men who hurt you. I never learned How to save you From yourself. No good deed goes unpunished. [Final guitar note rings out into silence.]
