“Ain’t Built Like a Machine” — Cid’s Perspective

[Verse I — First Impression] [(gritty guitar riff)] Yeah, I heard the stories years ago Silver hair, Shinra’s pride Perfect soldier, poster boy While the rest of us got sidelined I busted engines, chased the sky Watched my damn dreams stall Meanwhile you were winnin’ wars Didn’t even have to crawl So forgive me if I ain’t impressed By legends carved in chrome — I seen too many “perfect” things Blow up before they’re grown [Pre-Chorus] [(bass drops low)] Shinra builds heroes same way it builds rockets — Fast, loud… and ready to fail. [Chorus — Cynical Judgment] [(full band kicks)] Sephiroth, you ain’t built like a machine No matter what those lab coats say You crack, you break, you bleed like me Just in a fancier way Yeah, you scared the hell outta everyone And yeah, you wrecked a lotta ground But lately you look like a guy Tryin’ to figure himself out [Verse II — Watching Him Change] [(groove steadier)] You fix things without sayin’ much Stand quiet near the door Like you’re waitin’ for somebody To kick you out once more Seen that look on pilots After missions gone to hell When you realize survival Ain’t the same as doin’ well And damn it all, I hate admittin’ You don’t act like Shinra stock More like somebody rebuilding With spare parts and stubborn luck [Pre-Chorus II] [(half-spoken)] Freedom ain’t somethin’ they hand you. It’s somethin’ you wrench loose yourself. [Chorus — Respect Creeping In] [(bigger, louder)] Sephiroth, you ain’t what I expected Thought you’d walk in actin’ king Instead you haul supplies and listen Like you’re learnin’ everything Still don’t trust you fully — hell no — But I’ll give credit where it’s due You’re fightin’ harder now Than Shinra ever made you do [Bridge — Cid Philosophy] [(music strips down)] I chose to walk away from Shinra. You never got that chance. Difference is… You’re finally makin’ one now. [Bridge II — Humor] [(light guitar)] Still creepy as hell, though. Just sayin’. [Final Chorus — Reluctant Acceptance] [(full band, triumphant grit)] Sephiroth, maybe you’re just a guy Who got built the wrong damn way Tryin’ to fly with busted wings And keep the crash at bay You keep protectin’ people And maybe we’ll get along fine — Long as you stay on your side of the airship… And don’t touch my engines this time. [Outro] [(harmonica fade)] Nobody’s perfect. But hell… at least you’re tryin’.