Nice, A Dirty Word

(Intro)

(Down-tuned, chugging guitar. Slow, heavy drum hits that feel like a heartbeat.)

(Verse 1)

I’m looking at the faces on the train

Everyone is braced for the rain

A little nod, a "how you doing today"

And they act like I’ve got something to say

Like there’s a blade hidden in my hand

Like a simple word is hard to understand.

(Chorus)

When did "nice" become a dirty word?

The loudest thing that nobody heard

It’s not a trick, it’s not a play

We’re just throwing the best of us away

Yeah, we’re all just waiting for the sting

Like kindness is a dead, forgotten thing.

(Verse 2)

You let someone in out on the street

They don't even look, they just look at their feet

No "thank you," no wave, no sign of a soul

Just everyone playing their cynical role

We’ve got our guards up so damn high

We don't even bother to try.

(Verse 3)

We’re keeping score on a broken board

Treating every smile like a thing we can't afford

If it isn't bitter, then it isn't real

That’s the empty bargain we’re trying to seal

We’ve scrubbed the color 'til it’s only gray

And pushed the decent people out of the way.

(Chorus)

When did "nice" become a dirty word?

The loudest thing that nobody heard

It’s not a trick, it’s not a play

We’re just throwing the best of us away

Yeah, we’re all just waiting for the sting

Like kindness is a dead, forgotten thing.

(Breakdown)

Where’s the grace?

Lost in the crowd...

Where’s the face?

Lost in the crowd...

TEAR IT DOWN!

WE’RE ALL ALONE!

COLD AS THE DIRT!

HARD AS THE STONE!

(Chorus)

When did "nice" become a dirty word?

The loudest thing that nobody heard

It’s not a trick, it’s not a play

We’re just throwing the best of us away

Yeah, we’re all just waiting for the sting

Like kindness is a dead, forgotten thing.

(Outro)

Is it gone?

Did we kill it off? Mmm

I’m just trying to be nice.

Just nice