Oldest One Left Out

[Verse 1]
She packs the dishes
After everyone’s gone upstairs
Counts the plates, the little chips
Like they’re proof she was ever there
Birthday cards on the fridge
Her name smudged in the corner ink
All those smiles in crooked frames
Skip her face, she starts to sink
[Chorus]
I’m the oldest one left out
Quiet in a crowded house
Waving from a window
No one ever turns around
I just want a soft place
Somebody to say my name
Hold me like I won’t break
Hold me like I’m not a mistake
[Verse 2]
She learned to tie her laces
From a book she found one fall
Fever dreams and empty rooms
She taught herself to crawl
Wore her A’s like armor
Thought the gold would make them stay
All she got was “You’ll be fine”
And backs already turned away
[Chorus]
I’m the oldest one left out
Quiet in a crowded house
Waving from a window
No one ever turns around
I just want a soft place
Somebody to say my name
Hold me like I won’t break
Hold me like I’m not a mistake
[Bridge]
If I fall apart tonight
Would anyone notice the sound? (would you?)
If I disappeared from sight
Would you ever look around?
I keep setting extra cups
At a table built for two
Hoping one small, simple touch
Might finally pull me through
[Chorus]
I’m the oldest one left out
Quiet in a crowded house
Waving from a window
No one ever turns around
I just want a soft place
Somebody to stay this time
Love me like I won’t break
Love me like I’m worth the fight
[Outro]
She washes one last glass
Lets the water hide her eyes
Leaves the kitchen light on
For a love that never arrives

jazz, Slow, smoky jazz ballad with brushed drums, upright bass, and soft piano chords; female vocals close to the mic, intimate and fragile. Saxophone answers vocal phrases with mournful fills. Verses stay sparse and hushed, chorus swells slightly with thicker piano voicings and subtle string pad. Final chorus drops almost a cappella before a tender sax outro., sad