[Slow fade-in, muffled 808 sub hum, rain ambience — soft piano chords, minor key]
Yeah… I still hear you laughin’ in the static
I did this to myself, I know it, ain’t gon’ sugarcoat it
This one’s for the version of me that had it all
And let it slip right through my fingers, yeah…
[Vocal chop whisper: “love you”]
---
[VERSE 1]
[Trap cadence, hard-hitting 808 drops on downbeats]
I was runnin’ the streets while you was waitin’ up at home
Left you cryin’ on read, phone hot, spirit froze
I was chasin’ a high that couldn’t hold me like you did
Now the silence in this condo louder than the shit I did
Told myself I was a king but I was actin’ like a kid
Traded golden for the shadows, now I’m livin’ with the lid
Closed on all the light you gave me, girl, I dimmed it out myself
Now I’m prayin’ to a ceiling, askin’ God for so much help
[Hi-hats roll triplet pattern, 808 slide]
I remember every promise that I broke without a flinch
Every text I left unanswered was another inch
Between us turned to miles, miles turned into a wall
And I built it brick by brick and watched the whole thing fall
My fault, no defense, ain’t no excuse gon’ fix it
Karma came collectin’ and I couldn’t even risk it
Tryna beg for one more chance but chances ain’t infinite
I hurt the one who loved me most — that’s the realest shit I’ve written
---
[PRE-HOOK]
[808 pulls back, atmospheric pads swell]
And now I’m sittin’ with the guilt, alone in the dark
Every mirror got your face in it, tearin’ me apart
I can’t call you up and tell you ‘bout the man I’m tryna be
’Cause I already lost the right to your sympathy…
---
[HOOK / CHORUS]
[Melodic R&B vocal, auto-tuned ache, emotional runs]
I learned love the hard way, oh, the hard way
Had to lose you just to find out who I really am
Learned love the hard way, healin’ scarred, yeah
Walkin’ ‘round this empty city holdin’ your hand in my head
I can still smell your perfume on my old hoodie
I can still hear you laughin’ when the whole world moved slowly
I learned love the hard way, yeah, I paid for it in full
Now I’m prayin’ that you’re happy even though I lost you, girl
[808 drop on “girl”]
---
[VERSE 2]
[Slower, melodic-rap hybrid, vulnerable — minimal drums over piano]
Remember the soccer field, back when the grass was green and wild
You’d kick it past me laughin’, callin’ me a clumsy child
Sun goin’ down on Sunday, sweat and orange Gatorade
That was back before I turned our whole world into shade
And the road trips, windows down, “Anti” playin’ on the aux
Georgia backroads, gas station snacks and slow talks
You said “let’s just drive forever,” I said “yeah, we could”
Didn’t know that I would be the reason that we never would
Now I drive alone and every exit look like your name
Every gas station bathroom mirror whisper my own shame
And them park walks, autumn leaves, your hand cold in mine
Talkin’ ‘bout our future like the timing would align
I ruined the timing, I’m the storm that made you leave
I’m the reason you don’t trust as easily as you be
