Just Breathe

Delta Blues / Roots Rock... Adapted from my poem 'Just Breathe'. (Please subscribe if you enjoy my content.) Just Breathe *Genre:* Delta Blues / Roots Rock *Tempo:* 74 BPM, Heavy Shuffle, Foot-Stomping Groove *Vocal Arrangement:* A gravelly male lead voice paired with a soulful, soaring female backing vocalist, engaging in deep blues call-and-response. *[Intro]* (A lone, dusty resonator guitar plays a slow, syncopated slide riff. A heavy stomp-clap rhythm kicks in, driving the pulse.) *[Verse 1]* (Vocals - Sultry, breathy, close to the mic) Windswept nights as I walk alone, Through an empty city of steel and stone. My thoughts are solely focused here, As raindrops wash away a tear. Happiness resides along this path, Chasing away the winter's wrath. Recalling past moments that slipped my grip, Like water tasting of a phantom sip. *[Chorus]* (Call & Response / Polyphonic Harmony) *(Voice A - On Beat) We step back, hold hands, and just breathe... *(Voice B - Off Beat Delay) Just breathe... just breathe... *(Voice A) We’ve found one another, we are finally home. *(Voice B) Finally home... (Call & Response Overlap) (Voice A) You are seen. (Voice B) In the dark. (Voice A) You are valued. (Voice B) Leave a mark. (Together - Rich Harmony) You are beautiful... a mantra for my soul on repeat. *[Verse 2]* (Vocals - Low, rhythmic, almost spoken-word) Unknown truths, the façade of life, A misplaced smile in a world of strife. I didn't know... echoes down my spine, A primitive hunger, a bestial design. Your heart was hurt, though not mine to protect, Yet I'm pulling you close with fierce respect. This ache inside is pure, unmolested, Born of a love that was unexpressed. *[Chorus]* (Full Band Kicks In - Heavy Roots Rock drive with piano) *(Voice A - On Beat) We step back, hold hands, and just breathe... *(Voice B - Off Beat Delay) Just breathe... just breathe... *(Voice A) We’ve found one another, we are finally home. *(Voice B) Finally home... (Call & Response Overlap) (Voice A) You are seen. (Voice B) In the dark. (Voice A) You are valued. (Voice B) Leave a mark. (Together - Rich Harmony) You are beautiful... a mantra for my soul on repeat. *[Bridge]* (Counterpoint Melodies - Emotional Overlap) *(Voice A - Low Register) The distance between us seems too much, *(Voice B - High Counter-Melody) By commitment... by choice... *(Voice A) Life and its games, cheating us of time, *(Voice B) We are finding our voice.. (Voices Merge as the heavy beat drops back in crashes) As it slips through our fingers... almost lost... but not quite. *[Guitar / Harmonica Duel Solo]* * *(Stripped back down to the stomp-clap and acoustic guitar) ** * *(The slide guitar and a blues harp trade fierce, overlapping licks in a musical counterpoint) ** Moments pass in silence. Quiet... resolute... We step back, hold hands, and breathe Just breathe... We've found one another... we are home (Guitar hits one final, unresolved chord and ring out into room ambiance.)