Hard Road With My Name On It

[Verse 1]
Mama said, "Baby, take the shortcut
Life's too long to walk it mile by mile"
Daddy pointed at the corner office
Said, "Wear that grin, swallow that pride"
But I got mud on these worn-out boots
And a map in my own damn hand
Every wrong turn, every late-night shift
Built the backbone where I stand
[Chorus]
This is my hard road, with my name on it
Every scar, every callus, yeah, I came honest
You can talk, you can push, you can say I’m wrong
But you ain’t the one stayin' up 'til dawn
I ain’t cashin’ in on an easy promise
This is my hard road, with my name on it
[Verse 2]
Buddy said, "Man, just play it safer
Clock in, fade out, every single day"
Boss waved that quick raise in my face
If I’d bend a rule, look the other way
But I’d rather sweat through a hundred summers
Than freeze my soul for a little more pay
If it takes ten years to reach that mountain
I’ll still be climbin’ the same damn way
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
[low vocal register] Turn down the noise, turn up my heartbeat
I know that sound better than advice
Every "you can’t" just fuels my engine
Every closed door, I knock twice
[Build] Someday I’ll stand where I was dreamin'
Look back at every uphill climb
Say, "I chose each step, I earned each second"
And it was worth every inch of time
[Chorus]

country, Warm modern country ballad with male vocals; intimate acoustic guitar and soft pedal steel in the verses, big chorus with stacked harmonies and steady kick. Subtle organ pad underneath for lift, brushed snare building into a more driving feel by the last hook. Vocal up front, storytelling tone with a proud, slow-burn energy arc., ballad