CHORUS — VOCAL HOOK IS THE MAIN FOCUS: Keep the original lyrics unchanged. “BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FLAME?!” and “WHAT ABOUT THE HURT?!” The words WHAT ABOUT must flow quickly and melodically toward the final word, never receiving the strongest accent. FLAME and HURT are the dominant, unmistakable vocal hooks of the entire song. Attack each final word sharply, fiercely and slightly raspily, then open into a powerful sustained note with a soaring melody. Combine a punchy, almost explosive onset with a long, emotionally intense finish. Make these words stand above the instrumental mix. Create a brief space before each final word, then let the band hit hard underneath it and answer after the sustained note. FLAME and HURT must feel raw, dramatic, memorable and physically powerful — the emotional peaks of the song, not ordinary words at the end of a line.

VERSE PHRASING: Female vocal, fully melodic and expressive. Do not punch the first word of each line. Begin smoothly, build the melody through the phrase, and place the strongest musical emphasis on the final meaningful words. Vary the rhythm and note lengths to avoid repetitive phrasing.

MIX AND DYNAMICS: Keep the female lead upfront and clearly audible. Make FLAME and HURT cut through the dense bass, drums and distorted guitars. Pull back the instruments momentarily before each hook, then deliver a sharp, powerful impact and let the sustained vocal ring out.