Where Were You When I Was Golden

Intro (airy, distant)

I looked for your name

In the noise

In the crowd

In the light

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Verse 1

I was dancing under tired neon lights

Heart painted gold, but cracked inside

Everyone saw the way I smiled

No one heard the way I cried

I was “good”, I was “fine”, I was “strong”

Even when nothing felt right all along

I was shining just to stay alive

But shining alone is a dangerous high

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Pre-Chorus

I screamed your name inside the sound

But the echo just let me down

Everybody there, nobody true

Tell me—where were you?

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Chorus

Where were you when I was golden?

When I was acting like I was okay

I was glowing, but breaking open

Calling for someone through the shine

Where were you when I was falling

While I danced like nothing was wrong

I had gold on my skin, emptiness in my hands

Where were you when I needed someone?

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Verse 2

I ran after shadows in crowded rooms

Faces that promise, then leave too soon

Full nights, hollow mornings

“Forever” lasts till the music’s done

I kissed reflections, not real hearts

People who looked but never saw

I didn’t want to be famous

I just wanted to be chosen

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Pre-Chorus 2

I partied with my demons late

They already knew my name

But you—where were you back then

When I was losing myself again?

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Chorus

Where were you when I was golden?

Smiling against the undertow

I was glowing, but I was frozen

Too alive to feel alive at all

Where were you when I was falling

Between the beat, between the lies

I danced so I wouldn’t disappear

But I hoped someone would stop me in time

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Bridge (darker, slower)

Maybe I was asking for too much

Maybe I was chasing a rush

Or just someone real enough

To see through the artificial love

Maybe I was invisible

Even covered head to toe in light

‘Cause screaming without a sound

Is the cruelest way to fight

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Instrumental Break (imagined)

(beat drops, breath, distant echoes)

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Verse 3

Now I walk without the crowd

The gold is fading, but I’m proud

I learned that shining too bright

Doesn’t always attract the right eyes

I let go of the mirage

The promises wrapped in gold foil

If you come back, come honest

Not just when I sparkle

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Final Chorus (stronger, clearer)

Where were you when I was golden?

When I was begging without words

I was glowing, but I was learning

That light can lie if it hurts

Where were you when I was falling?

Now I know—I’ll be alright

I shine less, but I’m real now

And that beats perfect gold every time

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Outro (soft, released)

I don’t look for love in the spotlight

If you come, come in the quiet

‘Cause being golden, I realized

Means nothing… if you’re alone at night