Love Is How I’ll Live [Intro: 2 bars, solemn grand piano, rising cinematic strings] [Cold Open Chorus: Deep breath, massive resonant male baritone, soaring orchestral rock] I took it all for granted The way you’d smile right next to me I thought I was the one who kept you safe But “I thought I did” could never make me see [Break: Sudden silence, delicate piano and gentle strings] [Verse 1: Intimate deep low voice, warm breath, soft rubato piano] Here comes that old bad habit of mine again I act so proud, you roll your weary eyes I build a wall of reasons just to prove I’m right And though I hate the driving, though I complain I’d take the wheel for you time after time Even holding your hand could make me shy I kept my every “thank you” locked inside [Pre-Chorus: Rising emotional chest voice, swelling strings, building drums] I wanted to be strong enough to shelter you So I trained my body, taught my heart to fight But the one who stood the closest to me Was the one whose loneliness I couldn’t see [Chorus: Explosive orchestral rock, soaring full-bodied male belt, passionate vibrato] I took it all for granted The way you’d smile right next to me I kept on asking for your love While all the love you gave went unseen I thought I kept you safe I thought I understood But “I thought I did” was never enough To see the lonely nights you faced alone [Verse 2: Rich warm low voice, flowing strings, steady driving rhythm] You loved your coffee, I’d reach for soda You never cared for meat, I loved it on my plate Movies and games weren’t what you wanted But you still helped me chase the things I loved When I got carried away just like a child You’d watch me with that knowing little smile We were so different in a thousand ways Yet I believed tomorrow would stay the same [Verse 3: Bare piano, trembling vulnerable voice, almost breaking with grief] I woke up from a nap that evening And couldn’t find you anywhere at home No letter left behind, not even one goodbye Only the silence answering my voice I called and called, I searched for you Night after night, I lay awake I thought you’d never really leave my side But I was the fool who couldn’t see [Bridge 1: Solo piano, audible deep breath, intimate resonant low voice] On the third morning, the telephone rang The sound of your voice stole all my breath I took the wheel I’d always hated And drove as fast as I could to you And when you stood before me, back at home A thousand words came rushing to my heart But “I’m sorry” and “thank you” wouldn’t come Just one small phrase was all I could say [Refrain: Extremely tender, deep warm male voice, softly sustained melody] Welcome home… [Bridge 2: Quiet piano, emotional silence, strings slowly rising toward a massive crescendo] [Chorus 2: Maximum emotional release, thunderous live drums, full orchestral explosion, raw powerful male belt] I took it all for granted The way you’d smile right next to me I kept on asking for your love While all the love you gave went unseen I thought I kept you safe I thought I understood But “I thought I did” was never enough I’ll never let you face it alone again! [Outro: Solo piano, delicate warm strings, deeply intimate voice] [Refrain: Gentle, trembling deep chest voice, slow emotional phrasing] You smiled and whispered, “I’m home” And I reached out to hold your hand This time I’ll never let it go [Final Peak: Deep breath, sudden hush, enormous orchestral and vocal crescendo, strongest full-chest emotional cry] I won’t look away when tears fall from your eyes! I won’t let “I thought I did” be where this ends! I’ll turn the words “I love you” into the way I live! I want to walk through this life with you! For all the years to come, I want to walk with you! I WANT TO WALK WITH YOU! [Fade out: Entire orchestra falls silent, one final grand piano chord slowly fading away]