Part I

[Intro: Young Eric, Dad, & Lil' Tommy]
Can you say your ABCs?
A, B, (giggles)
How about, can you count?
1, 2, 3, 4 - shut the door!
He always does that!
Let's hear you count, Eric
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

[Verse 1: Eric Armitage]
Man, thank the Lord that I wasn’t able
To strangle myself with an XLR cable
I had Benzo singin’ them death notes
Now she ‘bout life, hangin’ with Hazel
So proud of you, friend (so proud of you)
It got me wonderin’ what it’d be like if I was still
At Walcott, tryna finalize my will
To leave y'all everything, it’s signed and sealed
What a blur now (blur, blur)
Mom & Dad, sorry that I didn’t keep my head up (head up)
I’m sorry that it took this far of a distance for me to get up (get up)
To even get to ink this letter (letter)
It took three years to relieve this pressure
And each new day, I’m seemingly better (better)
Some advice, kids, don’t let your demons catch ya (run)
I didn’t mean to be a negativity spreader
Look, I was just young and dumb and drunk
And maybe just too single
And I was like, "what the motherfuck
I thought this took one or two singles"
I was on some ego trip
Guess the main character didn’t read the script
It’s what people get
When you sell your merch to community
Without ironing out the wrinkles
Yeah, I taught myself how to mix
But I forgot to learn how to mingle
So it’s like I went topsy turvy on ‘em
Man, it felt like doin’ dirty business
There was friends who really believed in me
And bought a tee to support my circle’s vision
Anybody who was at Tha Bakery, LLC
You’re forever first edition
So to artists like Nazzy (Naz!)
I’m sorry that I didn’t stick around to chase the dream with you (my bad)
I made a big scene about takin’ leave
Instead of tryna stay and make a scene with you
And that goes to LeekyXIV, him too
Pardon me, please, I need a few tissues
But like I said earlier, kids
Be cool and don’t let the demons get you (Who's there?)
(It’s me, ya boy!)
[Hook: Eric Armitage]
If I see that stranger in the park after dark
Boy it’s pop-pop-pop
Tryna kill my vibe at night ain’t bright, it ain’t smart
Oh, nah-nah-nah
If he talkin’ that sad boy, Mr. Oh-Poor-Me
That rah-rah-rah
Don’t act like you’re my friend
Don’t twist my la-la-la

[Bridge: Eric Armitage]
Stories after dark got me on that la-la-la (Talk to 'em)
Stories after dark got me on that la-la-la (Talk to 'em)
Stories after dark got me on that la-la-la (Talk to 'em)
Stories after dark- (Don’t be afraid of the dark)

Part II

[Interlude: Young Eric, Mom, & Eric Armitage]
What’s your name?
Eric Armitage
Eric Anthony Armitage!
And what do you like to do?
Welcome back
When you go outside, what do you like to do?
Play on my bike
You like to ride your bike
Back to the neighborhood
And do you remember what street do you live on?
Is it how you left it?
Louis St
That’s right!
[Verse 2: Eric Armitage]
My ego’s scorned, it feels like I’m not quite me no more
Cuz me in the dark with no responsibility is no longer “mi amor”
Our three-year-anniversary was in March
Yet, people in Raleigh, NC don’t know the real me, for sure
The me that loved to simply record
It’s like we divorced, "Hey, what’d you leave me for?"
My demons speak to me in peace through the letters that they choose to write like a Ouija Board
My future wife is not keen or quite up to speed on that boy from the 2nd floor
I left it all behind that bedroom door
A perfect example of “less is more”
She doesn’t need to know about the cold nights that Mr. Armitage spent up north
Or does she?
Do I get a fresh start all because I packed up and moved?
Is this how it feels when I finally fall out of love with you?
Or is it the cyclical nature of becomin’ a late-stage artist?
When you trade the lies you were sold for a hand to hold
When you make that day trip to Target
When you trade the bottle of gin in for water
When you get some fresh air instead of marijuana
Cuz your girlfriend said shit is good for you
To go for a walk and get out of that apartment
Someone I can talk with
Hello sunshine, my old friend
Feels like I’m gettin’ back to the days
In the Armitage photobooks way back when, uh
[Hook: Eric Armitage]
If I see that stranger in the park after dark
Boy, it’s pop-pop-pop
Tryna kill my vibe at night ain’t bright, it ain’t smart
Oh, nah-nah-nah
If he talkin’ that sad boy, Mr. Cold-Hearted
That rah-rah-rah
Don’t act like you’re my wife
Don’t twist my la-la-la

[Bridge: Eric Armitage]
Stories after dark got me on that la-la-la (Talk to 'em)
Stories after dark got me on that la-la-la (Talk to 'em)
Stories after dark got me on that la-la-la (Talk to 'em)
Are you afraid of the dark? (what?)
Don’t be afraid, my guy

[Outro: Eric Armitage]
Picturin’ Pixley Park with the family by my side
Picturin’ Pixley Park, everything gon’ be alright