Cruelty Kept The Score
Written by Johannes Schneeberg / J. S. Frankenstein You say you’re just honest Like that makes it kind Every word a small hammer Finding something to break inside Cruelty kept the score Tallied every tiny war Every flinch Every quiet breath You wrote it down like a debt You called it care You called it cure But pain was all you were Cruelty kept the score I’m not paying anymore You fed me rules Called them love Said “this is how You rise above” But every favor Had a knife You carved your initials In my life Cruelty in your mouth Tastes sweet when you spit it out You smile while I bleed it out How do you sleep so sound? Cruelty in your mouth You dress it up as truth somehow You love the way I shut down How do you sleep so sound? (so sound) Psychedelic guitar solo You joke Then you watch me Wait for my laugh to land You call it “just teasing” As you tighten your loving hands Spoken I learned your language Burned my throat Tried to be smaller Than your hope Now every bruise Spells out my name I’m done mistaking Hurt for faith (oh) Cruelty kept the score Tallied every tiny war Every flinch Every quiet breath You wrote it down like a debt You called it care You called it cure But pain was all you were Cruelty kept the score I’m not paying anymore You passed me matches Then blamed the flame Told me my scars Were just my shame You twisted truth Til it sounded right Left all your shadows In my light Cruelty in your mouth Tastes sweet when you spit it out You smile while I bleed it out How do you sleep so sound? Cruelty in your mouth You dress it up as truth somehow You love the way I shut down How do you sleep so sound? (so sound) Spoken Maybe I’m the mirror You hate what you see So you scrape at the glass Till you’re cutting through me I keep calling it caring You keep calling it real Funny how affection Can feel like a heel on my chest Cruelty kept the score Tallied every tiny war Every flinch Every quiet breath You wrote it down like a debt You called it care You called it cure But I’m walking past your door Cruelty kept the score But it’s mine This heart Once more Cruelty in your mouth Tastes sweet when you spit it out You smile while I bleed it out How do you sleep so sound? Cruelty in your mouth You twist my words You twist my doubt I’m walking out I’m walking out How do you sleep so sound? (so sound) Psychedelic guitar solo ⚜️⚜️⚜️ © 2026 Johannes Schneeberg Liner notes Style 1970s funkdisco anthem tight fouronthefloor kick drum live disco drums with open hihats and crisp snare syncopated funky bassline very upfront and melodic wahwah rhythm guitar nilerodgersstyle muted strumming lush string section stabs and gliding orchestral sweeps bright brass hits handclaps on 2 and 4 layered falsetto harmonies inspired by Disco, Pop, Soft Rock, R&B, Soul, Adult Contemporary soulful lead vocal with slight grit like funk, soul, R&B, disco and hot chocolate add subtle psychedelic textures phaser guitar swells analog tape echo gentle cosmic synth pads in the background melodic sensibility influenced by merseybeat songwriting john lennonstyle phrasing and hook structure bridge section breaks into dramatic discoclassical fusion in spirit of walter murphy a fifth of beethoven with rhythmic string ostinato and orchestral build big uplifting chorus catchy dancefloor energy glamorous 1977 studio 54 atmosphere warm analog mix vintage tube compression wide stereo strings funky bass Voice Adult Contemporary soulful lead vocal with slight grit like funk Length 5:59 Like this vibe?
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