CLOSER THAN BEFORE

CLOSER THAN BEFORE (EXTENDED MIX) [INTRO — 0:00–0:15] (Warm acoustic piano chords combined with a steady, gentle heartbeat drum pattern) We lost some time... Stumbling through the dark, trying to find our way. But maybe we found each other again. [VERSE 1 — 0:15–0:40] We had our distance... We had our doubts, Lost in the silence Of what we couldn't figure out. There were days... When the walls were much too tall, And we braced ourselves For a heavy fall. But time gave us wisdom... And space gave us sight, Now I see what matters... When I look into your eyes. [CHORUS — 0:40–1:08] We're closer than before... Stronger than we were. Every scar between us... Taught us how to care. We almost lost it all... But somehow we survived. Now we're closer than before... And I'm glad you're in my life. [VERSE 2 — 1:08–1:36] I don't want to repeat... The mistakes of yesterday, Throwing away the future With the careless things I'd say. I want to build something better... With every word I say, Laying down the ego And paving a new way. You deserve my patience... You deserve my truth, And I want to spend tomorrow... Doing better for you. [BRIDGE — 1:36–2:08] Sometimes people separate... Just to learn what matters most. Walking through the shadows Of what they almost lost. Sometimes losing someone... Shows you what you had inside, Burning down the blindness And stripping off the pride. [GUITAR / STRINGS SOLO — 2:08–2:45] (An uplifting, melodic electric guitar solo layered with a warm, rising string arrangement) [FINAL CHORUS — 2:45–3:15] We're closer than before... Stronger than we were. Every scar between us... Taught us how to care. We almost lost it all... But somehow we survived. Now we're closer than before... And I'm glad you're in my life. [OUTRO — 3:15–3:24] Closer... Closer than before... This time... I'm holding on. (Piano chords fade slowly into silence)