Paper Crown

Verse 1

Neon dripping down my skin tonight

Sugar smiles, yeah, I’m dressed to lie

Every room I enter knows my name

But no one sees the mess I became

Gold in my glass, poison in my veins

I dance so hard just to feel okay

Laughing loud, but I’m paper-thin

Breaking quietly from within

Pre-Chorus

I keep spinning just to stay upright

If I slow down, I might lose the fight

So I pour another, shut my eyes

Tell myself I’m still alive

Chorus

I wear a paper crown, I’m a queen for the night

Hanging from the edge of the city lights

If I don’t stop moving, I won’t fall down

So I burn myself out just to drown it out

I’m screaming through the music, don’t hear a sound

Got a thousand eyes, but I’m not found

I’m holding my breath till the morning comes

Trying not to break—

Trying not to come undone

Verse 2

Mirror talks back, says I look so strong

But she don’t hear the shaking in my bones

Every shot’s a prayer I don’t believe

Every high pulls harder when I leave

Reggae drums pulse like a warning sign

Heart off-beat, but I’m keeping time

I’m the life of the party, fading fast

Living like tonight’s my last

Pre-Chorus

If I stop dancing, I feel the pain

So I drown it out in the pouring rain

They say, “Smile, you’re doing fine”

They don’t live inside my mind

Chorus

I wear a paper crown, I’m a queen for the night

Hanging from the edge of the city lights

If I don’t stop moving, I won’t fall down

So I burn myself out just to drown it out

I’m screaming through the music, don’t hear a sound

Got a thousand eyes, but I’m not found

I’m holding my breath till the morning comes

Trying not to break—

Trying not to come undone

Bridge (Vocal Peak – Stripped → Explosive)

Take it off, take it off

This glittered armor’s getting heavy

Take it off, take it off

I’m tired of pretending I’m ready

If I let go, will I disappear?

If I stay numb, will I lose another year?

Final Chorus (Soaring, Full Power)

I wear a paper crown, yeah, I rule the night

But it cuts my head when I hold it tight

If I don’t stop moving, I won’t fall down

But I’m bleeding out in this ghosted crowd

I’m screaming through the music, shaking now

All this noise can’t save me how

I’m holding my breath till the morning comes

Trying not to break—

Outro (Soft, Vulnerable)

Paper crown… slipping down

Maybe I don’t wanna wear it now