[Verse 1]
Alarm hits six
Same gray mug, same half sip
Tie too tight
Eyes still stuck in the night
Fifteen floors
Glass box, fake plants, bright charts
Clock on the wall
Eatin’ every little beat of my heart
Thought I’d rest
“Just a busy season, then I’ll breathe”
That season stretched
Ten years, I forgot what I believed
Dad’s old watch
Tells me what I’m “supposed” to be
But my kid drew me
With a question mark where my face should be
[Chorus]
I gave my life to the ticking
Now the ticking wants more (yeah)
Every day just a meeting
Every night just a door I ignore
I’m a clocked-in ghost
In a shirt and tie
Can I buy back time
With the overtime I left behind? (left behind)
[Verse 2]
Coffee stain
On a shirt from another late night
Inbox flame
Boss talk sweet but the threats bite
Friends hit, “Come through”
But the last train leaves my willpower
Paycheck up
But my soul stuck workin’ by the hour
Mama said
“Son, don’t chase what can’t chase you”
But I ran that race
Till the days all blurred to the same hue
Got a raise
But I missed my brother’s wedding toast
Got a title
But I can’t remember who I am the most
[Chorus]
I gave my life to the ticking
Now the ticking wants more
Every day just a meeting
Every night just a door I ignore
I’m a clocked-in ghost
In a shirt and tie
Can I buy back time
With the overtime I left behind?
[Bridge]
[Band drops to bass, snaps, soft piano]
Break room laughter, I’m scrollin’ my youth
Old pics, wild nights, yeah, that was the truth
Now it’s blue light, white light, screen in my eyes
When did I trade my dreams for “I’ll try”?
[Rap]
Used to freestyle on the back of the bus
Now I draft lines in a budget report
Used to think “later” was always enough
Later showed up, took everything short
Stare at the hands on the wall like a trial
Guilty of wastin’ my one little while
If time is a thief and I held the door wide
Then I’m the accomplice stuck inside
[Chorus]
I gave my life to the ticking
Now the ticking wants more (wants more)
Every day just a meeting
Every night just a door I ignore
I’m a clocked-in ghost
But I ain’t resigned
I’m clocking out tonight
Gonna take my stolen seconds back this time (this time)
[Outro]
One deep breath
Step out of the line
Heart off mute
Hands off the grind
If I only own
One thing that’s mine
Let it be
My time, my time (yeah)