Borrowed Facev6

[Intro — Sparse, Tense] [A low, detuned guitar pulse. Dry room noise and a faint, irregular tap. Let the riff emerge in short, uneven bursts.] [Verse 1 — Restrained, Rhythmic Vocals] I learned the shape of every answer before I knew what I believed. I watched the room decide who I was and wore the version they received. At home, I kept my voice down low. At work, I made it sound assured. Now every word comes out so easily I can’t remember who it’s for. [Pre-Chorus — Building Tension] I keep my hands where you can see them. I keep my thoughts behind my teeth. You say you know me. Tell me— what do you know beneath the— [Chorus — Melodic, Forceful] This is a borrowed face. It fits, but it isn’t mine. I wear it through the day and leave it by the door at night. You say, “Just be yourself.” I don’t know who you mean. This is a borrowed face— and it’s looking back at me. [Verse 2 — Heavier, More Insistent] I learned to laugh at the right time. I learned when not to disagree. I kept a list of all the ways a person like me should be. You call it change. You call it growing. I call it learning to disappear while everyone keeps saying I look exactly the same. [Pre-Chorus — Bigger Build] I keep my hands where you can see them. I keep my thoughts behind my teeth. You say you know me. Tell me— what do you know beneath the— [Chorus — Melodic, Forceful] This is a borrowed face. It fits, but it isn’t mine. I wear it through the day and leave it by the door at night. You say, “Just be yourself.” I don’t know who you mean. This is a borrowed face— and it’s looking back at me. [Bridge — Breakdown, Heavy Groove] [Drop into a heavy syncopated groove with abrupt stops. Start with clipped, controlled vocals, then build in intensity.] I said yes before I heard the question. I stayed still so you would call me stable. I swallowed every word that might have made you leave. Now I can’t tell if I’m protecting you— [Scream or harsh vocal, optional] —or protecting the lie! [Final Chorus — Full Band, Emotional] This is a borrowed face. It fits, but it isn’t mine. I wore it through the years until I lost the outline. You say, “Just be yourself.” I’m trying to begin. This is a borrowed face— I’m taking it off again. [Outro — Quiet, Unresolved] [The heavy groove falls away. Return to the sparse, detuned intro pulse.] I set it down. The room stays quiet. I wait to hear what’s left.