Run the Path

[Intro – soft soul piano loop, faint vinyl crackle] Streetlights glow on empty concrete Echoes of the words I repeat [Verse 1 – hard-hitting snare, deep bassline] Woke up at dawn with a pen in my fist Scrawling plans on a napkin, no time to miss Landlord bangs the door, rent’s past due But my eyes are on the sky, I ain’t stuck to you Grindin’ after shifts, mic in the closet Spittin’ bars till my throat feels exhausted They say I’m wastin’ time, chasin’ a ghost But I can taste the win, yeah, I know it’s close [Pre-Chorus – rising piano melody, subtle hi-hats] Every scar’s a story, every step’s a fight Every “no” just fuels the fire inside I ain’t here to quit, I ain’t here to fold Gonna turn these dreams into solid gold [Chorus – layered vocals, intensified beat] I run the path they said was too long I sing the song they said was wrong Every night I chase that distant light Gonna make my dreams see the morning light I climb the wall they said was too tall I break the chains they tried to install No matter what, I ain’t gonna fall Gonna stand tall when my name’s on the wall [Verse 2 – muted trumpet riff, steady bass] Sat in the back of the club, watchin’ the show Wondered when it’d be my turn to glow Passed my demo to a stranger in a suit He said “come back next year,” I said “watch me boot” Practiced in the shower, rapped to the mirror Turned every doubt into fuel for the fire Mama said “son, don’t you lose your way” I said “mama, wait till they hear me play” [Pre-Chorus – swelling strings, faster hi-hats] Every tear’s a river, every breath’s a vow Every “can’t” just makes me work harder now I ain’t here to fade, I ain’t here to hide Gonna turn these dreams into my whole life [Chorus – ad-libs added, full beat] I run the path they said was too long I sing the song they said was wrong Every night I chase that distant light Gonna make my dreams see the morning light I climb the wall they said was too tall I break the chains they tried to install No matter what, I ain’t gonna fall Gonna stand tall when my name’s on the wall [Bridge – stripped-back piano, soft vocal delivery] I’ve slept on couches, I’ve skipped some meals I’ve walked for miles just to feel the deal But every struggle’s a step up the hill Every “almost” just makes the win feel real [Solo – soulful saxophone riff, building beat] (Instrumental Solo) [Final Chorus – full band, explosive vocals] I ran the path they said was too long I sang the song they said was wrong Last night I chased that distant light Now my dreams see the morning light I climbed the wall they said was too tall I broke the chains they tried to install No matter what, I ain’t gonna fall I stand tall when my name’s on the wall [Outro – fading piano, faint crowd cheer] Streetlights glow on a crowded street Echoes of my song, finally complete