Held Together With Tape

[Verse 1]
Woke up on the floor
Meds spilled in the sink
Phone full of red alerts
Heart full of static and sting
Doctor says “you’re fine”
Charts clean, I’m a wreck
Brain’s throwing chairs in a room
No one bothers to check
[Pre-Chorus]
Every breath feels borrowed
Every step, thin ice
They say “it’s just a rough patch”
Like I didn’t pay the price (hey!)
[Chorus]
I’m held together with tape and teeth
Biting down just to try and breathe
If this is living, what’s the cost?
Every win feels like it’s lost
I’m screaming loud but my throat just shakes
Building a life out of breaks and mistakes
If this is living, tell me why
I’m falling apart just staying alive
[Verse 2]
Back hurts, back rent
Backed into the corner again
Friends text “you good?”
I lie, hit send
Pills in a plastic tray
Dreams in a trash bag pile
All of my plans on pause
Been stuck here a long, long while
[Pre-Chorus]
Every night, same ceiling
Same fear on repeat
They say “it’s all in your head”
Yeah, that’s where I sleep (oh yeah)
[Chorus]
I’m held together with tape and teeth
Biting down just to try and breathe
If this is living, what’s the cost?
Every win feels like it’s lost
I’m screaming loud but my throat just shakes
Building a life out of breaks and mistakes
If this is living, tell me why
I’m falling apart just staying alive
[Bridge]
Told myself “just be strong”
Strong snapped back like a worn-out thong
(yeah, I know that’s wrong)
But laughing’s cheaper than another bill
Cheaper than another little colored pill
[Chorus]
I’m held together with tape and teeth
Biting down just to try and breathe
If this is living, what’s the cost?
Every win feels like it’s lost
I’m screaming loud but my throat just shakes
Building a life out of breaks and mistakes
If this is living, tell me why
I’m falling apart just staying alive
Just staying alive
(held together, barely alive)

rap, Gritty alt-rap punk, male vocals. Dry, in-your-face verse rap over chugging palm-muted guitars and stomping drums; pre-chorus climbs with octave leads and gang vocals tucked low. Chorus explodes into shout-along hooks and open chords, bass driving the pocket. Bridge strips to half-time beat and distant feedback, then full-band slam for final chorus, vocals shredded and urgent., rock, punk