Hide and Seek

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Hide and Seek — Alternate Vocal Delivery

Overall Vocal Feel

• Breathy, conversational

• Slightly behind the beat

• No belting, no strong vibrato

• Think spoken-melody, not “sung out”

• End most lines downward, unfinished

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Intro (how it’s sung)

(almost whispered, rhythm-free)

“I’m right here…”

Pause.

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Verse 1 (half-spoken, sliding notes)

Don’t sing each word clean — glide through them.

We been dancing around the quiet

(slide “quiet” down)

Circling what we don’t say

(pause before “say”)

Every time I pull away

(drop the note early)

You move a little closer my way

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Pre-Chorus (even quieter)

This should feel like you’re asking yourself, not them.

I don’t know if you see me

Or just the shadow I leave

I disappear between moments

Just to see if you’ll reach

(leave air between lines — let the instrumental answer)

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Chorus (restrained, no lift)

⚠️ Important: Do NOT raise pitch here.

Keep it intimate — almost monotone with melody.

Hide and seek

(short, soft)

Are you still looking for me

(stretch “looking” quietly)

When the room goes dark

And the noise gets weak

Second half even softer:

Hide and seek

If I slip out of sight

Do you search for my heart

Or give up the night

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Verse 2 (lower register, closer mic)

Almost like you’re telling a secret.

I leave traces in the silence

Little signs I never meant

Every pause is an invitation

Every step is half-intent

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Bridge (spoken-sung — key moment)

This part should feel unsure, almost breaking.

I don’t run to be chased

(spoken)

I just need to know

(soft note)

If I vanish for a moment

You’ll still want me close

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Final Chorus (pull back even more)

Less emotion than before — resigned, not pleading.

Hide and seek

Are you still looking for me

Not for the thrill

But the truth underneath

End like a question, not a statement.

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Outro (barely sung)

I’m right here…

Let it fade unfinished.

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Zona Tip (important)

If Zona still sings it too “full,” paste this one line at the top of the lyrics:

(Intimate delivery, breathy, conversational, no vocal runs, no big chorus lift)

That single instruction usually changes the entire performance.