Love Me Like a Prison

Intro — Soft electric piano, distant saxophone

It's quarter past two

You're still awake

I hear you moving

Every time I turn away

Baby...

Don't you ever sleep?

Verse 1

You left your lipstick on my coffee cup

And folded my shirt the way I like

You know the name of every friend I have

You know where I go on Friday nights

You say it's sweet that you worry so

That a little jealousy means something's real

But you were crying in the kitchen last night

Because I smiled at somebody else

Pre-Chorus — Bass enters, restrained and intimate

And I know you only do it

'Cause you're frightened I might go

But there's something in the way you hold me

That makes me feel alone

Chorus — Full 80s drums, lush synths, aching saxophone

You love me like a prison

Kiss me like goodbye

Hold me in your arms, girl

Then ask me where I've been all night

You say I'm all you live for

Like that's supposed to make me stay

Oh, you love me like a prison

And I can't keep loving you this way

Post-Chorus — Saxophone answers the vocal

Ooh, darling

Don't you know?

The tighter that you hold me

The less of me you own

Verse 2 — More intimate, slightly bitter

You called my office just to hear my voice

Then said you didn't mean to make a scene

I found your number written on a napkin

Beside the bar where I used to meet my friends

You fell asleep with the hallway light on

Your shoes were waiting by the bedroom door

I stood there looking at you for an hour

Wondering what we're doing this for

Pre-Chorus — Drums build, vocal grows more emotional

And I remember when you touched me

Like you didn't need a thing

Now you count the hours I'm away

Like they're debts I have to bring

Chorus — Bigger vocal, layered backing harmonies

You love me like a prison

Kiss me like goodbye

Hold me in your arms, girl

Then ask me where I've been all night

You say I'm all you live for

Like that's supposed to make me stay

Oh, you love me like a prison

And I can't keep loving you this way

Instrumental Break — Long, mournful saxophone solo

Bridge — Drums drop out, just piano and voice

God, I miss the girl

Who used to let me leave

Who'd wave me out the doorway

Then fall asleep in

Chorus — Bigger vocal, layered backing harmonies

You love me like a prison

Kiss me like goodbye

Hold me in your arms, girl

Then ask me where I've been all night

You say I'm all you live for

Like that's supposed to make me stay

Oh, you love me like a prison

And I can't keep loving you this way

Instrumental Break — Long, mournful saxophone solo

Bridge — Drums drop out, just piano and voice

God, I miss the girl

Who used to let me leave

Who'd wave me out the doorway

Then fall asleep in peace

I miss the way you laughed

With your head against my chest

Before you started asking

If my love could pass a test

And maybe I'm a coward

Maybe I should try

But I can't spend another year

Explaining every night

Breakdown — Whispered, fragile vocal

You said, "If you ever leave me

I don't know what I'll do..."

I held you till the morning

And I hated that it was true

Final Chorus — Full arrangement, desperate vocal delivery

You love me like a prison

Kiss me like goodbye

Hold me in your arms, girl

While I'm learning how to lie

I tell you that I love you

Just to keep you from the pain

Oh, you love me like a prison

And I'm becoming yours in chains

You love me like a prison

God, I wish that love was kind

'Cause I still reach across the bed

And take your hand in mine

I don't know if I'll leave you

I don't know if I can stay

You love me like a prison

And I love you anyway

Outro — Saxophone returns, drums fade into a slow pulse

It's quarter past two

You're still awake

You ask me if I'm happy

I say, "Baby...

I'm okay."

Soft saxophone fades out