He said “brother” like it cost him nothin’
Smiled wide and stole my coat
Asked for time asked for money
Left me short and called it hope

The waitress said I had nice eyes
While stackin' bills that weren’t mine
The preacher swore we’d all be saved
But his watch was gold and mine was fake

They never meant it
Not the cheers not the names
All them kind words
Were just poker games
But I knew a man once—
Did what he said he’d do
The only good Julio I ever knew
Was Don

The boss shook hands with dirty gloves
Said “You're family” then raised the flood
And mama prayed through gritted teeth
While sellin' things we couldn't eat

They never meant it
All that “brother” all that “son”
They toast your wins
Then load their guns
But I knew a man once—
Quiet as a Sunday pew
The only good Julio I ever knew
Was Don

They’ll write your name on birthday cake
And scratch it off the will
They’ll hug you at the front door
While makin’ copies of the deed still

They never meant it
It was polish on a stone
But that old man with the cracked hat
Said “take your time or take it alone”
I knew a man once—
Didn’t lie to get through
The only good Julio I ever knew
Was Don

I left at seventeen before the bread was warm
took the blue suitcase nobody claimed
Mother stood polishing the same clean glass
Dad read the paper without turning a page

There was a woman’s name behind the pantry clock
written twice then crossed with a kitchen knife
I asked who she was
They asked why I was still awake

Huh

They said “You’ll understand when you’re older”
So I got older somewhere else

I was gone before the kettle sang
gone before they fixed their tale
Let them blame my age my temper
let them blame the morning train

I was gone gone gone—
they can call it running if they like
I didn’t leave because they hated me
I left because they knew me wrong

Years later a stranger stopped me near the docks
said “You walk exactly like she did”
I laughed and asked “Who?”
She looked at me as though I’d made a joke

Then she handed me a photograph:
my father younger one hand out of frame
and a girl with my uneven teeth
wearing the blue suitcase name tag

Huh Small world
Terrible handwriting

She said “Your mother tried her best”
I said “Which one?”

I was gone before the kettle sang
gone before they fixed their tale
Let them blame my age my temper
let them blame the morning train

I was gone gone gone—
they can call it running if they like
I didn’t leave because they hated me
I left because they knew me wrong

Maybe I was kept
Maybe I was traded
Maybe love gets very polite
when the truth is complicated

I never asked again

That keeps them nervous

I was gone before the kettle sang
gone before they fixed their tale
Let them polish every answer
I know where the story fails

I was gone gone gone—
huh they still insist I’m wild
I didn’t leave because I hated them
I left as someone else’s child

You showed up in my life like a summer flame
Lit up the dark but never played the game
We danced through the chaos no plan no map
Just two wild hearts in a midnight trap

You said “Don’t blink the moment might go”
And I felt the sky start to glow

We were runnin’ on runaway light
Faster than the doubts that kept us up at night
Hands out the window dreams in our eyes
Didn’t know where but we knew how to fly
We were burnin’ burnin’ too bright—
On runaway light

Old mixtapes and crooked smiles
We drove in silence for a hundred miles
Your hair in the wind sun on your face
Even the hurt felt like grace

You said “Hold on don’t let it fade”
And I swear the world was remade

We were runnin’ on runaway light
Faster than the doubts that kept us up at night
Hands out the window dreams in our eyes
Didn’t know where but we knew how to fly
We were burnin’ burnin’ too bright—
On runaway light

Now the road is quiet the flame burns low
But I still feel it when the records slow
You’re a spark that never died
Still running in my mind

We were runnin’ on runaway light
Took that leap didn’t care if it was right
Hearts on fire truth in disguise
Felt so alive we didn’t even try
We were burnin’ burnin’ too bright—
On runaway light

At 2:17 the refrigerator cleared its throat
I said “Don’t start”
It started

The kettle only sings for one
The toaster burns my alibis
Your coffee cup is upside down
Like it has closed its little eyes

I bought a cactus for morale
It quit on Tuesday night
The landlord says the pipes are fine
The fridge is taking your side

Every appliance has an opinion
Every opinion sounds like you
The freezer hums through cross-examination
I plead the fifth and eat for two

The washer handed back one sock
As proof I can’t be trusted
The vacuum found your silver hoop
Then parked itself disgusted

I tried to cook that thing you liked
The smoke alarm performed the lead
I took a bow it took the battery
A fair review I must concede

“Did you call her?”
No

“Will you call her?”
No

“Are you lying?”
Next question

“Who are you talking to?”
The refrigerator

Every appliance has an opinion
Even the clock has joined in too
The freezer hums for the prosecution
And I still cook enough for two

Your note is folded under pears
I read it only when they spoil
The final line says “Please be well”
As if well came wrapped in foil

At dawn the motor settles down
The whole flat loses its nerve
I almost miss our little war
Then hear the ice tray say one word:

“Call”

Mind your own business

At 2:18 it cleared its throat again
I moved it three inches from the wall
We are no longer speaking

When you hold me
It's paradise (paradise)
I feel so free (la-la-la)
Body moves slow to the melody

Mhm-mm
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
And everything stops
Mmm-mmm
Mmm-mm

Every time when you hold me
(It's the place where I go)
Every time when you hold me
(Every time it's the place where I go)
Every time when you hold me
(It's the place where I go)
When you hold me
Ooh

The sun shines bright
I can see it in your eyes
But I just can't burn daylight
'Cause the thought of you gets me so high
A perfect combination
I'm locked in my flirtation
Don't need a grand occasion
Just meet me in the sunlight
Baby

When you hold me
It's paradise
I feel so free
La-la-la-la-la-la
When you hold me
It feels like paradise

shadows falling all around me
can’t see the stars through cloudy nights
been searching for a ray of sunshine
something to make everything alright

but i know i know i know
there’s a light that never fades
and i feel i feel i feel
better days are on their way

hope is glitter in the darkness (sparkle!)
shining when you least expect (oh yeah!)
like diamonds scattered through the universe (uni-verse!)
reminding me i’m not done yet (keep going!)

when i’m falling when i’m breaking (whoa!)
when i think i’ve lost my way (no way!)
hope is glitter in the darkness (shine on!)
guiding me to brighter days (ay-ay!)

sometimes i think i can’t continue
the weight is more than i can bear
then i remember all the reasons
to push through pain and still care

‘cause i know i know i know
there’s a strength inside that grows
and i feel i feel i feel
a fire that still glows

hope is glitter in the darkness (light it up!)
shining when you least expect (surprise!)
like diamonds scattered through the universe (stardust!)
reminding me i’m not done yet (never quit!)

when i’m falling when i’m breaking (hold on!)
when i think i’ve lost my way (find it!)
hope is glitter in the darkness (glimmer!)
guiding me to brighter days (so bright!)

even in my darkest hour
i can feel that power
sparkling shimmering
glittering delivering
the promise of tomorrow
breaking through my sorrow

when i’m falling when i’m breaking (rising!)
when i think i’ve lost my way (new path!)
hope is glitter in the darkness (twinkle!)
guiding me to brighter days (yes way!)

sparkle shine believe
glitter through the night
hope will always be
your guiding light

Ladies and gentlemen
From Vienna to Miami
From the palace to the party
They call him
Disco Machiavelli

Not a prince
Not a saint
Just trouble in a velvet jacket

He walks in late with a golden cane
White silk shirt and a champagne stain
Everybody knows but nobody tells
He buys bad luck and sells it well

Midnight phone no caller ID
Three black cars on a one-way street
He says “my dear don’t follow the rules”
Then disappears by the swimming pool

He’s got the city on a string
He makes the mirror wanna sing
Too much charm too much heat
Dancing like a scandal in the street

Disco Machiavelli
Oh-oh he’s ready
Heart so heavy
But the beat so steady

Disco Machiavelli
Ciao baby ciao
Everybody wants him
Nobody knows how

Machiavelli
Machiavelli
Nicht so schnell mein Freund

She met him once at the Hotel Noir
Red wine smile and a stolen car
He said “love is politics darling you’ll see”
Then left her name on the balcony

Velvet gloves dangerous plans
Kissing rings on invisible hands
He don’t dance he negotiates
With the DJ and the city gates

He’s got the night under control
Silver shoes and a borrowed soul
Too much style too much speed
Living like the headline of the week

Disco Machiavelli
Oh-oh he’s ready
Heart so heavy
But the beat so steady

Disco Machiavelli
Ciao baby ciao
Everybody wants him
Nobody knows how

Signorina
Listen carefully
Power is a dance floor
And everybody pays entry

He said it with a smile
Then he vanished in the bassline

Machiavelli
Machiavelli
Dance with the devil
But dress like heaven

Machiavelli
Machiavelli
Too much drama
Too much leather

Disco Machiavelli
Oh-oh he’s ready
Heart so heavy
But the beat so steady

Disco Machiavelli
Ciao baby ciao
Everybody wants him
Nobody knows how

Disco Machiavelli
Oh-oh he’s ready
Velvet panic
Television confetti

Disco Machiavelli
Ciao baby ciao
He was here for a minute
He’s a legend now

From Vienna to Miami
From the palace to the party

Disco Machiavelli

Ciao baby ciao

Hands in the dirt I plant the start
Sweat on my face I build my part
Told I couldn't still I tried
Raised a roof where they saw sky

One step two steps — fall reset
Still I walk haven’t stopped yet

Built from the ground not handed down
I earn the weight I wear the crown
No shortcut no easy sound
I rise I run I hold my ground

Bricks of doubt I laid aside
Pushed through walls they said would slide
Nights were cold the path unclear
But I stayed loud when no one near

One step two steps — fall reset
Still I walk haven’t stopped yet

Built from the ground not handed down
I earn the weight I wear the crown
No shortcut no easy sound
I rise I run I hold my ground

This isn't luck it’s stubborn flame
Each scar I carry knows my name

Built from the ground not handed down
I earn the weight I wear the crown
Breathe in deep hear the sound
Of me becoming round by round

[Intro]
Heat off the glass
You look through me fast

You speak in shrugs and sideways glances
I fill the silence with fake chances
You say nothing but I stay
Making futures you won’t play

Pulled tight I bend where you lean
Your touch says less than your leave
I don’t ask you what you mean
Guess I like to not believe

You tied my hands with your quiet fire (yeah yeah!)
I lit the match you walked right by (mmm ooh)
Tell me it’s just how you are
(I fall anyway)
Even cold can feel like stars
when you're the sky
Na-na oooh-ohh no-no…

Scratched your name on my old mirror
Smeared it out but you got clearer

Gave you pieces you forgot to ask for
Heard your plans still kept the back door
Left your coat out in the rain
Hoped you'd care enough to complain

You move like truth on rewind
Slow and sharp not ever mine
I gave up drawing the line
Then I crossed it every time

You tied my hands with your quiet fire (ahh yeah)
I lit the match you walked right by (ohhh)
Tell me it’s just how you are
(Still I stay)
Even cold can feel like stars
when you're the sky
Na-na mm-mm oh yeah…

I keep breaking in my own voice
Tried to leave like I had a choice
Words don’t reach you but I shout
Now my echo’s burning out

You tied my hands with your quiet fire (ahh yeah!)
I lit the match you walked right by (woo-ooh)
Tell me it’s just how you are
(but I play)
Even cold can feel like stars
when you're the sky
Oooh na-na-na