Paralyzed (The Afterglow)

​[Verse 1- A tight, punchy R&B-style drum beat. A moody, analog synth bass pulses underneath. The vocals are slick, rhythmic, and incredibly smooth]

I believed the fallout was the lowest low

But we’re still bleeding from the undertow

So we're faking it

Tangled in the web, let you sleep in it

One last night.

​[Pre-Chorus- the beat picks up. Clean, atmospheric guitars slide in with a shimmering delay effect. The vocals transition from slick to a passionate, emotional belt.]

Handed you the knife that you kept at my throat

Every time I sank, you would use it to float

Had the upper hand

Tethered to the dark, so I cut the strand!

Bathed in the blue light when I’m desperate for sleep

I thought I burned the bridge, let me rot in my peace.

​[Chorus- massive, arena-ready explosion. Shimmering 80s synth-pop melodies layered over heavy, drop-tuned power chords. Soaring, heartbreak-laced clean vocals]

Feels like you're paralyzed, a ghost in my head!

Drowning in the static, the venom we bled

Walking on the wire 'tween the sickness and cure

I survived the hell that you gave me, and more!

You’re paralyzed, a ghost in my head.

​[Verse 2- instantly strips back to just a thick, grooving bassline and finger-snaps. Very intimate and modern. Vocals return to that fast, rhythmic delivery.]

Losing my grip hunting a silhouette

Just a mirage that I try to forget

Did your vanity

Save us both from the tragedy?

Cold as stone.

I'm slipping away and I’m reaching for vices

But all that I see is your shape in the crisis

Somebody pull me from the edge!

​[Pre-Chorus 2- The clean guitars return, swelling rapidly and building massive tension alongside a heavy snare roll.]

Bathed in the blue light when I’m desperate for sleep!

I thought I burned the bridge, let me rot in my peace!

​[Chorus- tThe massive wall of sound returns. Huge cymbals and driving double-kick drums beneath the poppy synth melody.]

Feels like you're paralyzed, a ghost in my head!

Drowning in the static, the venom we bled

Walking on the wire 'tween the sickness and cure

I survived the hell that you gave me, and more!

You’re paralyzed, a ghost in my head.

​[Bridge- the synths and drums cut out. A single, haunting clean guitar rings out. Slowly, an impossibly heavy, syncopated djent groove fades in. It’s sludgy, angry, and completely shatters the glossy pop-rock vibe.]

I pray for the apathy to set in.

Turning to ash, paying for your sin.

'Cause you took my devotion and bled it dry!

WOULD YOU smile AT THE WRECKAGE YOU LEFT BEHIND?!

​[Chorus- The breakdown seamlessly merges back into the massive chorus rhythm]

Feels like you're paralyzed, a ghost in my head!

Drowning in the static!

Feels like you're paralyzed, a ghost in my head!

Drowning in the static, the venom we bled

Walking on the wire 'tween the sickness and cure

I survived the hell that you gave me, a ghost in my head.

​[Outro]

You're paralyzed (a ghost in my head)

You're paralyzed (a ghost in my head)

You're paralyzed...