Cruelty Kept The Score
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
Cruelty Kept The Score
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
Lyrics
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)
Psychedelic guitar solo
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