Friendly Fire

[Verse 1]
You keep sayin' we’re friends
I keep leanin' in too far
You draw lines in the sand
I don’t see ‘em till I’m scarred
You ask me for some space
I swear I hear “don’t go”
I’m just tryin’ to be kind
But I’m crowdin’ you, I know
[Chorus]
I don’t wanna be your friendly fire
I don’t wanna make your heart feel small
Every time I think I’m helpin’
I’m just backin’ you up to the wall
So I’ll take one step back, one step higher
Learn to love you from a safer place
I don’t wanna be your friendly fire
I just wanna be a soft embrace
[Verse 2]
You’re ridin’ your own storms
Heart that flips from sun to rain
Some days you let me in
Next day every touch is flame
You say, “please don’t fix me”
“Just sit with me awhile”
So I’m learnin’ how to listen
How to hold you with a smile
[Chorus]
I don’t wanna be your friendly fire
I don’t wanna make your heart feel small
Every time I think I’m helpin’
I’m just backin’ you up to the wall
So I’ll take one step back, one step higher
Learn to love you from a safer place
I don’t wanna be your friendly fire
I just wanna be a soft embrace
[Bridge]
If you need time, I’ll wait
If you need words, I’ll speak
If you need silence, baby
I can be quiet for a week (oh yeah)
So draw your map in pencil
I’ll follow where you lead
Call me when you’re ready
I’ll bring what you need, not what I need
[Chorus]
I don’t wanna be your friendly fire
I don’t wanna make your heart feel small
Every time I think I’m helpin’
I’m just backin’ you up to the wall
So I’ll take one step back, one step higher
Learn to love you at your chosen pace
I don’t wanna be your friendly fire
I just wanna be your safest place

country, Modern country ballad with intimate male vocals, brushed drums, warm pedal steel, and soft piano. Verses stay hushed and conversational; chorus lifts with stacked harmonies and a steady backbeat. Subtle organ swells under the bridge as the vocal cracks a bit, then everything drops to near a cappella for the final hook.