The Life I Paved

(Solo piano: melancholic, repetitive minor chords. A faint, ambient reverb rings out.)

(Piano only)

You said you’re fine, I see you fade

Scrollin’ my name like it’ll save the day

Took all my peace, turned it to pain

Now you miss me when you taste your shame

(Subtle bass guitar enters, mirroring the piano’s root notes. A light shaker begins.)

You hit my phone at 3 AM

Same old words, just dressed again

You want my heart just as a friend

But want my body in your bed

(Soft electric guitar enters with clean, ambient strumming. The piano chords become fuller.)

If you’re done with me, say goodbye

I don’t need it, baby

Don’t call me when you’re drunk, going through it

Baby

You want things that I don’t

You can’t take this away

This life that I paved

(Drums enter with a steady, "heartbeat" kick drum. Bass becomes more melodic and driving.)

You like control, I like my space

You want a throne inside my place

You want the keys, I want the brakes

I won’t shrink down for your mistakes

(Piano and bass sync up for a punchy, rhythmic feel. Snare hits on the 2 and 4.)

You hit my line, I let it ring

I learned my worth, kept everything

You want my shine, but not my rain

You want the win, skip all the strain

(Full band intensity. The drums are wide, and the bass is heavy.)

If you’re done with me, say goodbye

I don’t need it, baby

Don’t call me when you’re drunk, going through it

Baby

You want things that I don’t

You can’t take this away

This life that I paved

(Music builds into a wall of sound. Distorted guitar power chords join the bass.)

I bled for this peace I’m holding!

Worked for these doors wide open!

You only love when you’re lonely

I’m not your soft place to fall—

NO MORE!

(Aggressive blues-rock guitar solo over a driving bassline. The piano plays frantic, high-octave stabs to keep the tension high.)

(Everything drops out for the first two lines except a distorted bass and a snapping finger.)

If you’re done with me... say goodbye.

(The full band crashes back in for the finale)

I don’t need it, baby!

Don’t call me when you’re drunk, going through it

Baby

You want things that I don’t

You can’t take this away

This life that I paved

(The drums and bass cut out abruptly. Only the original piano melody remains, echoing.)

I’m the one who stayed awake

While you slept through every stake

Now I’m wide awake

And you’re just a ghost in the hallway...

(A final, slow guitar strum fades into a single, low piano note)

Out of my head.

Out of my head.