Prompt / Lyrics
[Verse 1] Checkmate thoughts staring at this cracked screen glow Pieces on the board but I’m stuck on the same old row Counting my years like pawns lined up, ready to go Wonder if I’ll even see three-zero on the clock run slow Scrolling past clips of Herta laughing in a lab coat, carefree I’m in my room at 3 a.m. thinking, that could never be me She rewinds the universe I rewind my failures on repeat Every “what if” sitting heavy on the edge of my seat I’m plotting like Fischer but I’m frozen on move nine So many openings in life but I’m terrified to cross that line Friends talk future I just nod, keep lying They say “bro, you’ll be fine” I’m in my head, dying [Chorus] I’m just counting moves, not years wonder if I’ll make it there Thirty feels like fantasy some days I can’t breathe this air Bobby in my brain again overthinking every square Trying not to lose myself before I even get somewhere [Verse 2] Mom says “you’re so young” but my back aches like my granddad’s Bills in the mailbox dreams folded in the trash bag Trying to pray but my mind keeps buffering, bad lag Hope feels counterfeit like a fake tag on a fake bag Deadlines piling, dishes too floor’s a mess like my headspace Everybody posting wins I’m stuck in the loading place Therapist said “write it out” so I’m bleeding on this page If life’s a stage, why I feel locked up behind the backstage I don’t want a gold crown just a quiet, decent end A room that feels like safety maybe call someone a friend If I don’t see thirty tell ‘em I tried to bend Every dark thought into a rhyme just to not descend [Chorus] I’m just counting moves, not years wonder if I’ll make it there Thirty feels like fantasy some days I can’t breathe this air Bobby in my brain again overthinking every square Trying not to lose myself before I even get somewhere [Bridge] If I stay one more day is that a tiny win, or tie If I text back “yeah I’m good” is that truth or just a lie If you feel this in your chest you and me, same side Maybe we ain’t checkmated yet just stuck in mid-game life [Chorus]
Tags
rap, Melancholy boom-bap with woozy detuned keys and dusty vocal chops, mid-tempo head-nod groove. Verses sit tight and conversational with close-mic male vocals; hook opens up with layered chants and a wider stereo field. Subby bass glues the low end, crisp hats keep it moving, and a subtle choir pad swells in the hook for a bittersweet, anthemic lift., hip hop
Duration
3:09
Instrumental
No
Created
12/31/2025