Still Standing

Title: “Still Standing (Vermont Version)”

Tempo: ~96–102 BPM
Feel: driving acoustic, foot stomps, crowd shouts on chorus

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Verse 1 (conversational, rhythmic)
Woke up late in a borrowed town
Coffee burnt, still drank it down
Every sign says “turn around”
But I never listen anyway
I keep my past in the glove box
Next to all the shit I forgot
Every mile feels like a coin toss
But I’m still betting on myself

Pre-Chorus (quick lift, stacked vocals)
I’ve been low, I’ve been lost
Paid my dues, paid the cost
If this road is all I’ve got
Then I’m all in

Chorus (big, catchy, gang vocals)
We’re still standing in the rain out here
Laughing like we’re not afraid
They said “give up, you’re wasting years”
But hell, we stayed anyway
If hope’s a spark, we strike the match
Sing it loud, don’t hold it back
We’re still standing — say it again
Yeah, we’re still standing, my friend

Verse 2 (Noah-style specificity)
I left my heart in a northeast town
Where the winters drag you down
Learned real fast how to fake a smile
And mean it just enough to survive
I’ve got doubts like bad tattoos
Can’t erase ‘em, learned to use ‘em
Every crack in my resolve
Still lets a little daylight through

Pre-Chorus 2 (bigger, faster)
I’ve been wrong, I’ve been right
Stayed up way too late at night
But I’m still here, still trying
Still breathing

Chorus (bigger, stomp-clap)
We’re still standing in the rain out here
Laughing like we’re not afraid
They said “give up, you’re wasting years”
But hell, we stayed anyway
If hope’s a spark, we strike the match
Sing it loud, don’t hold it back
We’re still standing — say it again
Yeah, we’re still standing, my friend

Instrumental Break – Guitar Solo (Noah Kahan style)
Bright acoustic lead
– Short, catchy melodic riff
– Slides + hammer-ons
– Ends quick to keep momentum

Bridge (drop drums, hand claps only)
I don’t need a perfect plan
Just a reason to believe I can
If I trip, if I fall
I’ll get up — that’s the deal

Final Chorus (full band, crowd shout)
We’re still standing in the rain out here
Singing like we’re unashamed
All the ghosts yelling in my ear
Don’t get a vote today
If hope’s a spark, we strike the match
Sing it loud, don’t hold it back
We’re still standing — say it again
Yeah, we’re still standing, my friend

Outro (half-time, warm)
I’m still here
Still breathing
Still standing

Folk pop, rock, pop rock