[Title: Same Old Ways (Not Today)] [Style: Funky R&B], [Funk-Soul], [Empowerment Anthem], [Sassy], [Confident] [Instrumentation: Funky Bassline, Tight Drum Pocket, Wah-Wah Guitar, Horn Section Stabs] (Music Starts: A single, nasty, funky bassline groove. A tight drum beat snaps in. [Vibe: Thundercat-meets-Lizzo]) (Spoken Intro - over the groove) (Spoken, with attitude) Yeah... I see you. You thought you could just... show up? Nah. We're not doin' this today. ZonaMusic. (Verse 1) [Music Tag: Sassy Female Lead, Rhythmic Vocals] Hello, fear, my oldest friend Perfectionism's callin' again Whisperin' I'm "not good enough" (Ad-lib: That lie's so old) Telling me I gotta be tough That old "trophy" on the shelf Puttin' on a show, hidin' myself Tryna make 'em all approve (Ad-lib: Man, I'm so done with that groove...) (Pre-Chorus) [Music Tag: Music gets a little more tense, horns swell] Oh, I see you comin' 'round the bend I know how this story's 'posed to end You want me to isolate and hide (That "arm's reach," "closed-off" vibe) But I got somethin' new inside. (Chorus) [Music Tag: The Groove hits hard. Horn section stabs! Tight Harmonies] I'm not goin' back to my Same Old Ways! (Choir: No, no, no!) I'm not wastin' any more of my days! I did the inventory, I laid it all down! I'm turnin' this shipwreck right back around! No, I'm not goin' back to my Same Old Ways! (Verse 2) [Music Tag: Bassline gets funkier] Here comes that "rescuer" part of me (Ad-lib: That codependency...) Wantin' to "fix" 'em so they'll never leave (That fear of abandonment, yeah) Tolerating the chaos and the pain (The Tylers, the Curtises, the rain...) But my boundaries are up, my head is clear All that trauma—I'm leavin' it here. (Pre-Chorus) [Music Tag: Horns build] Oh, I see you comin' 'round the bend I know how this story's 'posed to end You want me to isolate and hide But I got somethin' new inside! (Chorus) [Music Tag: Full power. Full "stank face".] I'm not goin' back to my Same Old Ways! (Choir: No, no, no!) I'm not wastin' any more of my days! I did the inventory, I laid it all down! I'm turnin' this shipwreck right back around! No, I'm not goin' back to my Same Old Ways! (Bridge - The "Step 10" Moment) [Music Tag: Music breaks down, just drums, bass, and vocals] So when I feel that anger rise... When I feel that shame get in my eyes... I'm not gonna numb, I'm not gonna run. (Ad-lib: Put that THC down, girl.) I'm gonna stand and face the sun. I'm gonna make a call, I'm gonna pray. I'm gonna choose a different way. Today. (Final Chorus) [Music Tag: The groove comes back, bigger than ever] I'm not goin' back to my Same Old Ways! (Choir: No, no, no!) I'm not wastin' any more of my days! I did the inventory, I laid it all down! I'm turnin' this shipwreck right back around! No, I'm not goin' back to my Same Old Ways! (Outro - Vamp & Ad-libs) [Music Tag: Bassline and drums just groove...] (Ad-libs:) Not today, Satan... not today. This is my new day. Breakin' the cycle...