Rumor

(Inspired vibe: “Rumor” — love gossip; twist: rumors about a veteran’s mental state & relationship)Topic: Town gossip about him and his partnerTone: Romantic, defensive, intimate*
Verse 1
Heard talk at the market, talk at the mill,Folks sayin’ I ain’t right, sayin’ I’m stillHalf stuck overseas in the desert grime,Half here but barely holding line.They say you’re too good for a man like me,That you’ll wake up soon and finally seeThat loving a soldier is too damn hard—That I’m a cracked-up, broken-hearted card.
Verse 2
But they don’t see how your hands calm mine,How you sit with me when my thoughts unwind.They don’t see you pressing your forehead to mine,Whispering, “Baby, you’re doing just fine.”They don’t see our late-night kitchen talks,Your slow steps matching my shaking walks.Let ’em talk—it’s all hot air—We know the truth of what we share.
Pre-Chorus
Rumors ain’t real unless you let ’em in—We built something too strong to spin.
Chorus
There’s a rumor on my skinEvery time your touch sinks in.They say I’m broken—baby, let ’em speak,But you’re the reason I’m finding peace.Let the whole town whisper their sin—I’ve got your love like ink on skin.
Bridge
Truth’s in your eyes, not their noise—Our story ain’t theirs to destroy.

* Instruments: Warm electric, steady kick, bass groove, subtle steel