Barely Missed It (Still I Win)

[Verse 1]
Missed the train
By a single step
Shoelace loose
Heart in my chest
Rain came down
On my brand new shoes
Laughed so loud
What else can I do?
[Pre-Chorus]
Every time I think I’m on a roll
Someone moves the line
Changes all the goals
Little black cloud trying to block my view
I just tilt my head
Let the sun shine through
[Chorus]
Oh I just keep missing it by inches
Bad ju ju
Funny little glitches
Life keeps slipping through my fingers
But this big dumb smile still lingers
Yeah I just keep tripping at the finish
Watching every lucky break diminish
But I skank right through the trouble I’m in
If I barely lose
Then I still might win
[Verse 2]
Scratch-card hope
In my coat last week
All six numbers
One stop too steep
Mate called up
Said “You won’t believe”
He got my job
I got my peace
[Pre-Chorus]
Every time the story twists again
I just take a bow like it’s all pretend
Little bad spell tapping at my door
I just dance it out on the kitchen floor
[Chorus]
Oh I just keep missing it by inches
Bad ju ju
Funny little glitches
Life keeps slipping through my fingers
But this big dumb smile still lingers
Yeah I just keep tripping at the finish
Watching every lucky break diminish
But I skank right through the trouble I’m in
If I barely lose
Then I still might win
[Bridge]
They say I’m cursed
I say “nah
I’m charmed”
’Cause every close call
Keeps me disarmed
If fortune’s late
I’ll wait in line
Whistling wrong notes
Still sounding fine (hey!)
[Chorus]
’Cause I just keep missing it by inches
Bad ju ju
Funny little glitches
Life keeps slipping through my fingers
But this big dumb smile still lingers
Yeah I just keep tripping at the finish
Watching every lucky break diminish
But I skank right through the trouble I’m in
If I barely lose
Then I still might win
[Outro]
Barely miss it
Still I win
Bad ju ju
Can’t get in
Snap that bassline
Raise that grin
One more stumble
Then I win (oh yeah)

Bouncy ska-reggae groove with bright horns and springy, melodic bass; male vocals in a clear English accent. Verses sit tight on the offbeat skank with playful call-and-response brass hits, pre-chorus leans into rising organ chords, and the chorus opens wide with gang shouts and stacked harmonies. Keep drums crisp and punchy, rimshots popping, with a cheeky whistle hook in the outro., ska, male vocals, reggae