[Intro – soft piano + falsetto hums]
(Ad-lib: “Mmm… yeah… uh huh…”)
Lately… oh lately…
It’s been heavy in my chest, baby…
Can’t shake it off…
⸻
[Verse 1 – soft raspy tone, slow runs]
Lately, I been wakin’ up in cold sweats
Thinkin’ ‘bout the words that I regret
I keep runnin’ through your name
Like it’s stuck in my bloodstream, babe
(Run: “Mmm-hmm, uh-uh-uh”)
Lately, I been tryin’ not to call
But the silence feels like a free fall
I been smilin’ in the day
But I’m breakin’ every night, yeah yeah
*(Ad-lib: “I miss you, I miss you still…”)
(Run: “Ooooooh noooo”)
⸻
[Pre-Chorus – falsetto rise into belt]
Every picture burns a hole
In the part of me you stole
I try to move, I try to breathe
But you’re wrapped around my memory
(Ad-lib: “Why won’t you let go?”)
⸻
[Chorus – strong belt with stacked harmonies, emotional runs]
Lately… I’ve been losin’ my mind — ohhhh
Lately… I pretend I’m doin’ fine — yeah yeah
But I fall to pieces when the lights go low
Still reachin’ for a hand I used to know
Lately… ohhh lately…
(Run: “You still got control — control of me, baby”)
Lately… I’ve been drownin’ slow
(Ad-lib: “Still in your undertow… mmmhmm”)
⸻
[Verse 2 – deeper tone, more intensity]
Lately, I can’t sleep without a fight
You haunt my dreams like you got the right
Even when you’re far away
Your echo’s louder than the day
(Run: “Ahhh ahh ahh yeah”)
Lately, I been tryna fake a smile
But I break down every little while
Can’t unlove what felt so true
Can’t undo what I gave to you
(Ad-lib: “Gave it all — gave it all, ohhh”)
⸻
[Bridge – vocal breakdown with strings swelling underneath]
Maybe time will fade your name
But right now it’s just the same
Every “I’m okay” is just pretend
When does the missing end?
*(Run: “Oooohh-oooohhh yeeaaaahh”)
(Ad-lib: “When do I breathe again?”)
⸻
[Final Chorus – full belted vocal fire, gospel lift]
Lately… I’ve been cryin’ in the dark — oh no no
Lately… I can’t find a brand new start — yeah yeah yeah
You’re the ache inside my chest, the ghost I keep
Lately you’re the reason I can’t sleep — ohhhh
Lately… lately…
(Run: “Still got me, still got me, yeahh”)
Lately… I’ve been holdin’ on too deep
(Ad-lib: “Still in love… still in pain… still in it, ohhh”)
⸻
[Outro – soft falsetto + piano, final emotional run]
Lately…
*(Run: “Uhhh—uhh—uhhhh”)
I still call your name…
Even when I know…
You ain’t comin’ back…
ActiVeReAL
