[Instrumental Intro: Mysterious Groove — Plucked Guitar, Light Percussion, Upright Bass, Whistling Synth]
[Verse 1]
Words on the tip but they slip away
Like they’ve got their own place to stay
I open my mouth, nothing comes through
Like there’s a traffic jam in the truth
I rehearse it all in my head
But it gets tangled up instead
Every sentence turns to air
When I need it, it’s never there
[Pre-Chorus]
Something stuck, something tight
Locks it up every time I try
Funny how it comes undone
When I’m alone, when no one’s won
[Chorus]
You would hear me say
(Cat got my tongue)
But, I’m in this way
(This bird’s song can’t be sung)
You’d think I’d speak
(But I just hum)
Every time I reach
(I come up numb)
[Instrumental Break: Clavinet Groove, Soft Harmonica Licks]
[Verse 2]
Got a story I wanna tell
But it hides inside its shell
Every thought that tries to leave
Gets caught up in what I believe
People ask me what I mean
I just smile, keep it clean
But behind my quiet grin
There’s a storm I’m trapped within
[Pre-Chorus]
It’s not fear, it’s not doubt
Just a signal breaking out
Like a radio half on
Trying hard to find a song
[Chorus]
You would hear me say
(Cat got my tongue)
But, I’m in this way
(This bird’s song can’t be sung)
I reach for sound
(It slips and runs)
All my words
(Become undone)
[Bridge]
Maybe silence has its voice
Maybe silence has a choice
Maybe everything I feel
Doesn’t need to be revealed
Still I try, still I strain
Breaking through the quiet chain
Every word I almost say
Gets carried far away
[Breakdown: Minimal Bass + Finger snaps]
Cat got my tongue…
Yeah, I know…
But I still feel it…
Even so…
[Final Chorus]
You would hear me say
(Cat got my tongue)
But, I’m in this way
(This bird’s song can’t be sung)
Still I try
(To hum along)
Even silence
(Sings my song)
[Outro]
[Whispered breath… fading groove…]
Cat n’ tongue…
Still unsung…
Cat n’ tongue…
But I’m not done…
(One last one?)
From the album “Whatnot“