The Perfect Man

[Arrangement: Keep Minimal Changes] [smooth_high_end] [softened_cymbal_transients] [natural_cymbal_decay] [balanced_top_end] [clean_top_end] [no_digital_harshness] [balanced_stereo_field] [tape saturation, subtle analog warmth] Verse 1 Six foot two with a steady job, Opens doors, pays the tab. Says the right things at the right time, Checks every box I thought was mine. Good with parents, great with pets, Never raised his voice, never made a mess. I wrote the list when I was twenty five— Turns out perfect's just a lie. Verse 2 PhD and no baggage claimed, Remembered birthdays, knew my name. Laughed at jokes he didn't get, Held my hand but placed no bets. I told my friends he was the one, They smiled and said "Girl, you've won." But winning feels a lot like losing When you can't tell who you're choosing. Pre-Chorus And I called it love when it was safer, Built a myth on good behavior. Chorus The perfect man's a decent lie, Looks good on paper, leaves you dry. He gave me everything but fire— Safe's not the same as desire. I wanted flawless, got polite, But polite don't keep you up at night. Verse 3 Caught him smirking when a friend fell flat, Felt his judgment creeping back. He watched me soften, watched me bend, Smiled like he knew just how it’d end. He rewrote every sharp reply, Filed down the edges I let fly. That’s when I knew the list betrayed me, Traded wild for what looked like safety Pre-Chorus I said forever to a feeling, Missed the man beneath the ceiling. Chorus The perfect man's a careful plan, Looks right on screen, can't understand Why comfort turned to quiet dread— Safe's just another word for dead. I wanted flawless, got controlled, But control's just fear dressed up in gold. Bridge There's no checklist for the way you burn, No box to mark for lessons learned. Maybe I just loved the story— Me with someone who looked like glory. But glory's cold when the lights go low, And I need more than a résumé to know. Final Chorus The perfect man was my mistake, Not a lover—just a safe escape. He gave what fit inside the frame, But I'm done pretending we're the same. I wanted perfect, stayed too long— Now I'm gone. Outro (half-spoken, resolute) Burned the list. Kept the truth. I'd rather be alone than small and used. [end]