a happy piano ballard about a young man living the

[Intro – gentle piano arpeggios, faint campfire crackle] Summer air tastes like pine and beer We’re chasing stars before they disappear [Verse 1 – soft piano melody, light shaker rhythm] We dragged old blankets up the hill at dawn Stacked dead branches till the flames were drawn Carved our names in oak bark rough and worn Said we’d be kings of this town by morn [Verse 1 Continued – piano picks up, subtle bassline] Found a cave mouth hidden in the brush Drawn the map with charcoal on old crush Dared each other to go deepest in Laughed till our sides ached when the bats flew in [Pre-Chorus – piano swells, quiet drum fill] We didn’t care about the time or rules Just wanted to feel alive, not like fools Every moment felt like it would last Till the red lights flashed and we ran fast [Chorus – full piano, warm strings, uplifting harmonies] Oh, those nights we burned too bright Chased the dark till the morning light Cops on our heels, smoke in our hair We were young and we didn’t care Oh, those days we’d never trade Even when the memories fade We were kings for just one summer Before the world pulled us under [Verse 2 – piano softens, acoustic guitar strums] We slept in tents that leaked when it rained Shared a single sandwich, split the pain Told secrets we’d never tell again Swore we’d be friends till the very end [Pre-Chorus 2 – piano builds, more prominent drums] We climbed the water tower at midnight’s edge Painted our initials on the metal ledge Watched the town sleep far below our feet Thought we’d stay young forever, complete [Chorus 2 – layered vocals, richer string arrangement] Oh, those nights we burned too bright Chased the dark till the morning light Cops on our heels, smoke in our hair We were young and we didn’t care Oh, those days we’d never trade Even when the memories fade We were kings for just one summer Before the world pulled us under [Bridge – piano solo, quiet and reflective] Now I drive past that hill on my way home The oak tree’s gone, the cave’s overgrown I text them once, but they never reply Guess some fires just burn out and die [Chorus 3 – full band, emotional climax, bittersweet tone] Oh, those nights we burned too bright Chased the dark till the morning light Cops on our heels, smoke in our hair We were young and we didn’t care Oh, those days we’d never trade Even when the memories fade We were kings for just one summer Before the world pulled us under [Outro – gentle piano fade, faint campfire crackle] Summer air still tastes like pine and beer We’re chasing stars before they disappear