(2000’s R&B / Soul Pop – Justin Bieber x Usher inspired)
[Intro – soft falsetto / airy harmonies]
Ooooh yeah, ohhh…
Mmm, mmm…
Still searching, still dreaming…
[Verse 1]
Grew up in the shadows, sleeping in the cold,
Grandparents’ garage, with stories left untold.
Never knew what it felt like, true love with no chains,
Every smile I saw was painted, hiding pain.
People talk sweet, but their words ain’t real,
Lies to my face, they don’t care how I feel.
Sometimes I wonder, am I worth this space?
Fighting through the shame, breaking out that cage.
[Pre-Chorus]
But I know there’s more than what I see,
Love and success keep callin’ me…
Happiness comes in different ways,
And I won’t let my hope decay.
[Chorus]
I’m searching for the light, through the dark of night,
Chasin’ down my dreams, till they all shine bright.
Every tear I cried, only made me strong,
Love and happiness, is where I belong.
⸻
[Verse 2]
Sometimes it’s the small things that keep me alive,
A melody, a touch, or the stars in the sky.
I see the fakes, the snakes, with their empty pride,
But I’m learnin’ every moment how to walk in stride.
Could be love in a smile, or the hustle I grind,
Could be peace in a moment, when I free my mind.
Success ain’t just money, it’s the life I create,
It’s the joy I find in every breath I take.
[Pre-Chorus]
And I know there’s more than what I see,
Love and success keep callin’ me…
Happiness comes in different ways,
And I won’t let my soul decay.
[Chorus – stacked harmonies]
I’m searching for the light, through the dark of night,
Chasin’ down my dreams, till they all shine bright.
Every tear I cried, only made me strong,
Love and happiness, is where I belong.
⸻
[Breakdown – minimal beat / spoken-sung Usher vibe]
Yeah, yeah…
I’ve seen the pain, I’ve seen the lies,
But I won’t let it break me down tonight.
Keep my head high, my spirit alive,
Every storm will fade, and the sun will rise.
[New Verse 3 – added for extension]
I’ve been lost in the noise, drowned in the doubt,
But I’m finding my voice, and I’m breaking out.
Could’ve given up, but I still stand tall,
‘Cause I know my worth, I’ma give it my all.
Took the long road, but I made my way,
Turning my scars into brighter days.
No more looking back, only forward sight,
Love and happiness gon’ be my right.
⸻
[Bridge – extended vocal runs, big Usher-style moment]
No more chains, I’m free to breathe,
Love’s out there, it’s waitin’ for me.
Through the pain, I’ll rise above,
On this road to find real love.
(Falsetto ad-libs)
Ohhh I’m rising, yeah…
Ohhh shining brighter, mmm…
[Final Chorus – layered + ad-libs]
I’m searching for the light (ohhh yeah), through the dark of night,
Chasin’ down my dreams, till they all shine bright (shine so bright).
Every tear I cried, only made me strong,
Love and happiness, is where I belong.
[Extended Outro – soft breakdown / fading]
Still searching… (still searching)
Still dreaming… (still dreaming)
One day I’ll find where I belong…
Ooooh, yeah, yeah…
Mmm, mmm