[Intro: 5s instrumental only — grand piano, acoustic guitar, soft strings] [Harmony: Dm(add9) – Bbmaj7 – F – C] [Instrumentation: Solo Grand Piano, Acoustic Guitar Harmonics, Soft Strings Pad] [No vocal, no background vocals, no choir, no humming] [Verse 1: Male vocal — velvet tenor, close-mic, natural vibrato] [Harmony: Dm – Bb – F – C] A white floor opens under black Number sixteen on my back I ask, “Can I stop right here?” My shadow says, “Keep moving, dear” [Verse 1 Response: Female vocal — clear mezzo, soft tone] [Harmony: Bb – C – Dm – C] “You’re already in the glow” “You’re closer than you know” [Pre-Chorus: Duet — staggered entries, rising emotion] [Harmony: Bbmaj7 – C – Dm – F/A] I turn and meet who I used to be Names I never said stay close to me You give a half-smile, soft and true Tonight, I’m taking me with you [Chorus: Duet — unison first, then thirds harmony] [Harmony: Dm – Bb – F – C] Inside the oval, I’m still here Inside the oval, I’m still here Don’t fade, don’t fade Look at me, look at me The pale line calls my name The shade lets go its claim Hold on, hold on Look at me, look at me [Verse 2: Female lead — clear mezzo, intimate] [Harmony: Dm – Bb – F – C] You say, “That door was never closed” One small frame between the rows I say, “I’m scared to cross this place” You say, “Then cross it at your pace” [Verse 2 Response: Male vocal — softer, low register] [Harmony: Bb – C – Dm – C] I write my name where white tiles shine What was erased becomes a line The kid I lost comes back to me Says, “You’re not late. You’re free.” [Chorus 2: Duet — wider harmony, stronger live drums] [Harmony: Dm – Bb – F – C] Inside the oval, I’m still here Inside the oval, I’m still here Don’t fade, don’t fade Look at me, look at me The pale line calls my name The shade lets go its claim Hold on, hold on Look at me, look at me [Bridge: Call & Response — stripped piano and acoustic guitar] [Harmony: Bbmaj7 – C – Dm – F] Male: Even if the fences split the view Female: You don’t lose the spark in you Male: I leave yesterday behind Duet: I walk with the one I find [Final Chorus: Key lift +1 semitone, octave doubles] [Harmony: Ebm – B – Gb – Db] Inside the oval, I’m still here Inside the oval, I’m still here Don’t fade, don’t fade Look at me, look at me The pale line calls my name The shade lets go its claim Hold on, hold on Look at me, look at me [Outro: 3s instrumental only — piano, acoustic guitar, soft strings fade] [Harmony: Ebm(add9) – Bmaj7 – Gb] [No vocal, no background vocals, no choir, no humming]
