Opening Bell

[Tone: Dark, minimal, heartbeat beat
Theme: The fight starts whether you’re ready or not]

[Intro – spoken]
Yeah…
No crowd tonight
Just me and my thoughts
Bell rings either way

[Verse 1]
Bell rings, didn’t train for this moment
Hands shaking, mind racing, fear calling me “hopeless”
Twenty-four rounds, I’m already exhausted
Barely made it to the ring, but I showed up—focus
Lights on, mirror says “who you pretending?”
Smile stitched tight but the pressure is bending
Everybody needs a leader, so I carry the weight
While I’m bleeding inside, still expected to be great

Bathroom fan humming, drown out my head
Heart beating loud, every thought like a threat
They say “man up,” I say “I am trying”
Just tired of fighting a war that won’t end

[Pre-Chorus]
Gloves on, no exit
Fear says “you won’t last”
I nod like I heard him
Then step to the mat

[Chorus]
Bell rings, guess we’re doing this now
No escape when the doubts get loud
I don’t feel brave, I don’t feel strong
But I’m still standing when the count goes on
Bell rings—yeah, I feel the pain
But I’d rather fight than fade away
If this is hell, then let it begin
I’m still breathing—ring the bell again

[Verse 2]
They don’t see the nights I’m pacing the floor
Or the prayers I whisper just to ask for more
More peace, less noise, less shame in my chest
Less feeling like I’m failing every test
Got a job title but my soul feels small
If I disappear, they replace me tomorrow
World keeps spinning, sales still made
That thought alone got me questioning faith

[Bridge]
Is anybody watching when the lights go dim?
Or am I just another round fear wins?

[Outro]
Bell rang.
I’m still here.

Rap/Pop