Paper Smile

[Verse 1]
I tuck it in my teeth
When they ask, "you good?"
I say, "I'm fine, I'm fine"
Like I always should
My room stays locked up tight
My chest stays loud and thin
I fold the dark in half
And wear a grin
[Pre-Chorus]
Don't look too close
Don't ask again
I know the lines
I know the role I play
Hands in my pockets
Head held high
If I keep smiling
Maybe I survive
[Chorus]
Paper smile, paper smile
It stays on for a while
Paper smile, paper smile
Hide the crack behind the style
I say I'm okay
I say I'm okay
Paper smile, paper smile
Don't read me that way
[Verse 2]
At dinner I laugh on cue
At work I say "no stress"
My eyes give nothing away
My mouth does the rest
I clean the mess in my head
With songs nobody hears
Then lock the truth in a box
And dry my tears
[Pre-Chorus]
Don't look too close
Don't ask again
I know the lines
I know the role I play
Hands in my pockets
Head held high
If I keep smiling
Maybe I survive
[Chorus]
Paper smile, paper smile
It stays on for a while
Paper smile, paper smile
Hide the crack behind the style
I say I'm okay
I say I'm okay
Paper smile, paper smile
Don't read me that way
[Bridge]
If I drop this face
What will you see?
A tired kid
A storm in me
Hold me for a second
If you can stay
I don't need saving
Just don't walk away
[Final Chorus]
Paper smile, paper smile
It stays on for a while
Paper smile, paper smile
But I'm breaking all the while
I say I'm okay
I say I'm okay
Paper smile, paper smile
Please see me that way

Symphonic anime rock, high-tempo with rapid drums and driving guitar riffs; verse rides dark minor-key tension with sparse piano and low strings, pre-chorus lifts on rising synth lead, chorus hits with heroic fanfare brass and stacked gang vocals, bridge drops to hushed strings then surges back huge. Close-mic lead with doubled hooks, short delay throws, reversed swells, and bright punchy wide mix., anime, sad, rock, fake, rapid, dark ambient