“Before You Walk Away” (Version 1)
classic soul r&b, male lead, layered background vocals, soul, classic, warm, emotional, r&b, vocal
“Before You Walk Away” (Version 1)
classic soul r&b, male lead, layered background vocals, soul, classic, warm, emotional, r&b, vocal
Lyrics
Intro (Leader}
Hey…
Before you go anywhere babygirl
Let me talk to you
BGVs (soft hums, swelling):
Mmmmmm… ooooh…
⸻
Verse 1 (Leader)
I can feel it in the way you sigh baby
Something heavy on your mind
You’ve been quiet, distant lately
Like you’re halfway out the door tonight
I don’t wanna rush your heart babygirl
I just wanna understand
If there’s something I’ve been missing
Baby, take my hand
BGVs (moving echoes, staggered):
Take my hand
Don’t let go
Not tonight
⸻
Pre-Chorus (Leader)
I ain’t perfect, I know that’s true
But loving you is what I do
If I ever made you doubt
Let me clear it up right now
BGVs (rising stack):
Right now…
Clear it up…
⸻
Chorus ( Call & Response)
Leader:
Before you walk away from me
BGVs:
Before you go
Leader:
Before you give up on what we could be
BGVs:
Don’t give up
Leader:
Let me love you a little harder
BGVs:
Love you harder
Leader:
Hold you a little closer tonight
BGVs (held harmony):
Closer tonight…
Leader (resolved):
Before you walk away
Let me make it right
BGVs (chant-style):
Make it right
Make it right
⸻
Verse 2 (Leader)
Every smile you ever gave
Every tear you tried to hide
I was there through every season
Even when the days weren’t kind
I don’t need perfection
I just need your heart
Don’t let one bad moment
Tear a lifetime apart
BGVs (call-ins between lines):
Don’t let it go
Not like this
We too strong
⸻
Pre-Chorus 2 (Leader)
If my name still feels like home
If my arms still feel like truth
Then don’t walk away from something
That was always meant for you
BGVs (smooth slide):
Meant for you…
⸻
Chorus
Leader:
Before you walk away from me
BGVs:
Before you go
Leader:
Before you turn your back on love you know
BGVs:
You know this love
Leader:
Let me show you forever
BGVs:
Forever…
Leader:
Not just words I say tonight
BGVs (sustained):
Tonight…
Leader:
Before you walk away
Let me love you right
⸻
Bridge
Leaders:
I know love ain’t always easy
Sometimes it bends, sometimes it breaks
But the strongest love stands still
When walking away feels safe
BGVs (chant):
Stand still
Stand still
Leader:
If there’s still a piece of me
Living somewhere in your heart
BGVs:
In your heart…
Leader:
Then don’t leave yet, baby
We ain’t too far apart
⸻
VAMP
Leader (ad-libs, conversational):
Stay… stay with me
Just a little while
Let me hold you
Let me prove it
BGVs (loop, crowd-style):
Before you walk away
Don’t walk away
Leader:
I won’t waste your love
BGVs:
No, no, no
Leader:
I won’t let you down
BGVs (higher harmony):
No, no
⸻
FINAL CHORUS
Leader:
Before you walk away from me
BGVs:
Before you go
Leader:
If love still lives between us
BGVs:
Let it grow
Leader:
Don’t say goodbye tonight
BGVs:
Don’t say goodbye
Leader (soft):
Before you walk away
BGVs (repeating fade):
Before you walk away
Before you walk away
⸻
Outro (Leader)
Stay…