silver linings

Lyrics

[Verse 1 - close-mic tender vocal, muted bass pulse, soft keys, breathy pickup ad-libs]
Cece, it’s okay to cry, let it fall like rain
Cry a little when you miss that old baby, lucky in your brain
Cry when you stub your toe, when the door catches your hand
Even spilt milk on the counter can still make you understand
You’ve been holdin’ all this weight like it’s stitched into your skin
Carryin’ your whole world, still you never let it win
But this pain ain’t yours to guard, and this hurt ain’t love at all
You don’t gotta stand so tall when it’s only made to fall

[Pre-Chorus - stacked harmonies building, rising pad, heartbeat kick, breathy ad-libs]
I see the tears you hide behind that brave face every night
And I know your heart is tired from the fight, fight, fight
You gave him all that soft gold, he gave you cold and pride
Cece, you deserve a love that never makes you hide

[Chorus - wide hook, doubled lead, upbeat and hype warm group responses, polished low end]
Cece, it’s okay to cry, let it out, let it go
You ain’t weak for lettin’ water hit your cheek, you know
But don’t you shed one tear for a man who broke your light
You were made for honest love, not to hurt every night
Cece, it’s okay to cry, yeah, cry if you need to
Then wipe your face and rise, ‘cause the whole world needs you
You’re too precious for that pain, too real for that lie
Cece, it’s okay to cry, but don’t let him own your sky

[Verse 2 - intimate groove, muted bass, soft percussion, glossy low end, subtle background ooohs]
I watched you hold your family up when your own bones felt sore
You were tired in your spirit, still you gave a little more
And he repaid your devotion with a one-way street of shame
Like respect was just a rumor and your love was just a game
Nah, that’s not the girl I know, that’s not the fire in your chest
You love hard and you love good, and baby that’s your best
But the best of you is sacred, it ain’t meant to be abused
You don’t owe nobody heartbreak just because they chose to lose

[Bridge - stripped back, floating pad, emotional lead with reversed swell into lift, whispered ad-libs]
So cry for the weight, cry for the years
Cry for the nights you swallowed back tears
Then let that sorrow drift away
There’s a brighter road past yesterday

[Final Chorus - biggest lift, doubled lead, stacked harmonies, wide drums, group responses, reversed swell into entry]
Cece, it’s okay to cry, let it out, let it go
You ain’t weak for lettin’ water hit your cheek, you know
But don’t you shed one tear for a man who broke your light
You were made for honest love, not to hurt every night
Cece, it’s okay to cry, yeah, cry if you need to
Then wipe your face and rise, ‘cause the whole world needs you
You’re too precious for that pain, too real for that lie
Cece, it’s okay to cry, but don’t let him own your sky

[Outro - tender fade, airy harmonies, delayed vocal tail on the title line, soft bass decrescendo]
Cece, it’s okay to cry…
It’s okay to cry…
But never for a love that makes you feel less than you are