Guard High

Lyrics

[Intro - dark moody trap pads, distant vocal chops, hard 808s creeping in]
Misunderstood, yeah, misunderstood
Yeah, yeah

[Verse 1 - tense, rhythmic rap flow over hard trap kicks and sliding 808 bass]
Keep my guard high, yeah, my walls tall
Too many people switched when the rain fall
Used to believe every word they said
Now I hear promises and just nod my head
Late-night rides with the city blurred
Trying to silence every echo I heard
Got wounds where the dreams lived
Ashes where the fire was
Every hand that I reached for
Turned around and inspired distrust

[Pre-Chorus - building tension, layered harmonies, snare rolls rising]
Don't say I'm cold, I'm just careful now
Built these defenses, don't ask me how
Everybody leaves, that's the lesson learned
So I watch from a distance while the bridges burn

[Chorus - explosive, anthemic, full drums, heavy 808s, hooky vocal layers]
Misunderstood, misunderstood
Still standing tall through the bad and good
Don't trust nobody, don't trust nobody
Learned every lesson the hard way probably
Misunderstood, misunderstood
Smile on my face but I'm damaged goods
You say you'll stay but the world move fast
That's why my soul stay behind that glass

[Verse 2 - darker, more aggressive cadence, hi-hats ticking, bass growling underneath]
Young kid sittin' quiet in the corner seat
Learning real fast life ain't always sweet
Voices in the hallway, fights through the wall
Made me feel invisible, made me feel small
Now every new vibe feel counterfeit
Every kind word got me questioning it
I don't need sympathy, I need what's real
Show me loyalty, don't tell me how to feel
Got success now but the hurt came too
Still carrying ghosts that nobody knew
Smile in the spotlight, fade in the dark
Trying to relight what's left of the spark

[Pre-Chorus - tightened delivery, suspenseful synth lift]
Don't call me cold, I'm just worn down
Too many promises buried underground
If I let you in, then you might leave too
That's why my heart stay locked in the blue

[Bridge - stripped back, eerie pads, emotional, half-sung half-rapped]
If I flinch, that's history talking
If I run, that's memory walking
Every promise got a hidden fee
Every touch got a penalty
Want some peace, want some sleep
Want a love that's built to keep
But my guard stay ten feet tall
'Cause I've watched too many people fall

[Final Chorus - biggest section, stacked harmonies, pounding 808s, intense energy]
Misunderstood, misunderstood
Still surviving like I knew I would
Don't trust nobody, don't trust nobody
Too many nights got lost in the lobby
Misunderstood, misunderstood
Heart full of scars but I'm still good
If you want me, then show me proof
I'm still alive, just moving bruised

[Outro - fading, dark reverb, ghostly ad-libs]
Misunderstood, yeah, misunderstood
Too many scars, but I'm still good
Don't trust nobody, don't trust nobody
Pain taught lessons nobody taught me
Misunderstood, yeah, misunderstood
Heart still beating through damaged wood
You say forever, but forever fades
So I keep my soul locked behind the shade