Different Now

Verse 1 (lead soft, intimate)
I’m not the girl you used to know (no, no)
I move different, I move slow (real slow)
I don’t chase things that don’t choose me (choose me)
I learned my value quietly (mm)

I speak less, but I see it all (I see it)
I don’t beg, I don’t fall (nah)
My peace is louder than my past (so loud)
I finally learned what’s gonna last (yeah)

Pre-Chorus (light harmonies fade in)
I don’t explain my healing (I don’t)
To the ones who loved my pain (no more)
Some doors closed for a reason (for a reason)
And I let them stay that way (I let ’em)

Chorus (full, stacked harmonies)
I’m a different woman now (different now)
Not colder, just more aware (more aware)
I protect my heart somehow (I protect it)
I don’t give it everywhere (nah)
I’m softer with myself (softer)
But my boundaries are strong (so strong)
Yeah, I’m a different woman now (yeah)
And it feels like I belong (I belong)

Verse 2 (confidence builds)
I trust the way my spirit feels (trust it)
Before my mind makes it real (mm)
I don’t ignore the quiet signs (I don’t)
They save me every time (every time)

I stopped askin’ for permission (no permission)
To be who I’ve always been (this is me)
If you can’t meet me where I stand (where I stand)
You don’t get to hold my hand (nah)

Pre-Chorus (breathy, pulled back)
I don’t chase closure (mm)
I choose peace (choose peace)
What I lost to heal myself (worth it)
Was worth losing (worth it)

Chorus (bigger, gospel-style layers)
I’m a different woman now (I changed)
Not colder, just more aware (I know now)
I protect my heart somehow (I guard it)
I don’t give it everywhere (everywhere)
I’m softer with myself (so gentle)
But my boundaries are strong (don’t cross ’em)
Yeah, I’m a different woman now (yeah)
And it feels like I belong (I belong)

Bridge (strip music → build back in)
I don’t regret the woman I was (no regrets)
She carried me through the storm (she did)
But I thank her for lettin’ go (thank you)
So I could be reborn (brand new)

Vamp / Break (repeat with runs + ad-libs)
I’m still me (still me)
Just stronger (stronger)
Still soft (still soft)
Just wiser (wiser)

Final Chorus (all vocals in, emotional)
I’m a different woman now (different)
More grounded, more at peace (at peace)
I don’t dim my light for love (I don’t)
I let it meet me equally (meet me)
I’m softer with myself (softer)
But I know right from wrong (I know)
Yeah, I’m a different woman now (yeah)
And I finally feel strong (I’m strong)

Outro (whisper → sustained note)
I changed… (mm)
And I’m proud of her

R&b