Smile Through It

[Verse 1]
I got the same white tee
Two nights in a row
Fridge full of nothing
Still I said, "Let's go"
Baby mama calling
Trying to shake my nerve
I just want peace
Tryna keep my word
Clock in early
Clock out late
Rent don't care
If I'm feeling straight
Little ones need me
I show up clean
Put on that grin
Like it's all routine
[Pre-Chorus]
I keep it together
For the ones I love
Hands on the wheel
But my heart's beat up
If you ask me truth
I'm not doing fine
Still I stand up tall
Every single time
[Chorus]
I smile through it, smile through it
I smile through it, smile through it
Baby, I'm breaking
But I won't show it
I smile through it, smile through it
Smile through it, smile through it
Kids need a father
And I need some moments (I need some moments)
[Verse 2]
Bills in the folder
Stack on the table
Boss keep pushing
I keep saying "I can"
Friends hit my phone up
Need a place to land
I still pull up
With a helping hand
I know they see me
Laughing at the door
What they don't see
Is my knees on the floor
Trying to breathe slow
Trying not to crack
Hold my whole world
On a tired back
[Pre-Chorus]
I keep it together
For the ones I love
Hands on the wheel
But my heart's beat up
If you ask me truth
I'm not doing fine
Still I stand up tall
Every single time
[Chorus]
I smile through it, smile through it
I smile through it, smile through it
Baby, I'm breaking
But I won't show it
I smile through it, smile through it
Smile through it, smile through it
Kids need a father
And I need some moments (I need some moments)
[Bridge]
Late night praying
Head down low
"Lord, if you can
Please don't let go"
Make me steady
Make me whole
Keep my babies
Close to my soul
[Final Chorus]
I smile through it, smile through it
I smile through it, smile through it
Baby, I'm breaking
But I won't show it
I smile through it, smile through it
Smile through it, smile through it
Kids need a father
And I need some moments (I need some moments)
I smile through it
Still show up for you
I smile through it
Even when I'm blue
(I smile through it)
(I smile through it)

R&B slow jam with laid-back swung drums, warm sub bass, muted guitar licks, and sparse keys; verse stays intimate and conversational, pre-chorus opens with layered harmonies and rising pads, chorus lands on a sticky repeated hook with soft gang vocals. Bridge strips to voice and keys, then final chorus returns with ad-lib swells, delay throws, and a glossy but aching close-mic male vocal mix.