The Dotted Line
Krystal Evette Lyrics

Writing is my passion
Creating written works fills me with enthusiasm and joy.

It's how I found my voice
Through writing, I've discovered my unique expression and identity.

Something to disrupt
A tool to challenge and break through chaotic thoughts and distractions.

Every single jarring noise
All the overwhelming and dissonant sounds that cloud my mind.

It was a form of therapy
Writing serves as a healing mechanism for me.

I know that's a cliché
I am aware that many people say this, but it's true for me.

My words are what have made me
The expression of my thoughts has shaped my identity and existence.

So be that as it may
Regardless of others’ opinions, this is my reality.

Alone in the darkness
In solitude and overwhelming emotions, I find clarity.

The phrases start to form
Ideas and expressions begin to take shape in my mind.

I scribble them on paper
I quickly write down my thoughts to capture them before they fade.

So they weather through the storm
These words endure and persist despite the challenges I face.

I put them to an instrument
I transform my written words into musical compositions.

And started to make songs
I began crafting melodies that convey my feelings.

Still I don't suspect
I remain doubtful about how others will respond to my work.

That you would ever sing along
I don’t expect anyone to connect with my music on a personal level.

My diary is public
My innermost thoughts are shared openly with the world.

Any set of eyes can read
Anyone can access and interpret my emotional writings.

Or placed between their ears
My words can resonate internally with those who listen.

In ways this makes me freed
Sharing my truth provides me a sense of liberation.

In other ways I'm terrified
However, I'm also fearful of how vulnerable this makes me.

That people view my mind
I'm anxious about others seeing my thoughts and emotions.

But since I have them in the world
Once shared, my thoughts can't be hidden.

They're hard to redefine
It’s challenging to alter the perception others develop about me.

My pain is on your speakers
The emotions I express are broadcasted for everyone to hear.

I can't control who hears
I have no power over who engages with my music.

Every single piece
Each song I create is a part of me.

Will stay with me through the years
These works will remain significant to me for a long time.

The deepest or the bland
Whether profound or mundane, all my expressions carry weight.

They're displayed with my name
All my creations are credited to me and my identity.

Every single snapshot
Each piece of art reflects moments of my life.

I've signed the outer frame
I take ownership of my works and their meanings.

I don't watch people listen
I avoid observing how others respond to my music.

I go to the other room
I leave the space to protect myself from potential judgment.

I can't see reactions
I'm unable to view the audience's responses directly.

As my garden rots and blooms
While my emotions flourish or decay, I remain detached.

I need to set these demons free
I yearn to express my inner struggles and fears.

But with it comes a price
Expressing my inner turmoil might have consequences.

I open up to all opinions
Sharing my work invites varied interpretations and criticisms.

Some evil, some nice
Feedback can range from hurtful to affirming.

What I'm most afraid of
My greatest fear revolves around one particular issue.

Is the numbers they can reach
I worry about how widespread my work could become.

What if they're consumed by
What if those who encounter my work are adversely affected?

Someone off me who could leech
I fear being exploited for my creativity by opportunistic individuals.

"Hey we like your songs
Industry professionals express interest in my music.

We think they have a chance
They believe there’s potential for success in my work.

We would like to help you
They offer to support my journey as an artist.

Now here is where we stand
They outline the terms and conditions of their assistance.

They want me bound to contracts
They intend for me to agree to legal agreements.

They want to own my words
They aim to control the content and meaning of my creations.

Alluded that me signing
Implying that if I agree, I give up certain rights.

That my meanings would be blurred
They suggest my original intentions may become distorted.

I don't want to compromise
I wish to maintain my artistic integrity without concessions.

I don't want to change my message
I aim to stay true to the core themes of my work.

I've seen too many others fade
I have witnessed many artists lose their essence after compromises.

It taught me many lessons
These observations have imparted wisdom regarding the industry.

You sign away your speech and soul
Agreeing to contracts means relinquishing your creative freedom.

Just to get a check
People often sacrifice authenticity for financial gain.

I don't want to be owned
I refuse to let anyone control my creative output.

And have a leash around my neck
I refuse to be metaphorically restrained by industry demands.

I think about my idols
I reflect on the experiences of the artists I admire.

And the pain they got assigned
Many have suffered due to the pressures of the music industry.

Too many things go wrong
There are numerous potential pitfalls within this profession.

When you sign the dotted line
Making commitments can lead to unforeseen consequences.

My pain is not a profit
I refuse to commodify my suffering for financial gain.

This is something that I fear
I deeply dread this transformation of my art into a product.

Every choice I make
All decisions I take in my career carry weight and significance.

Will stay with me through the years
The impact of these choices will linger over time.

When I'd make an album now
In my current artistic process, creating an album feels different.

It won't just be my name
The ownership and influence extend beyond my personal identity.

It's corporations feeding you
Corporate interests manipulate and control the content I produce.

The content of my frame
What people perceive in my work is influenced by these entities.

Money isn't worth it
Financial success pales in comparison to maintaining artistic integrity.

When behind the scenes is gloom
The hidden realities of the industry can be quite disturbing.

You won't see how I really feel
The facade might hide my true emotional state from audiences.

You'd have to just assume
Listeners may have to guess my true feelings.

New demons, no longer free
I encounter fresh struggles due to external pressures.

It was not worth the price
The sacrifices made are more detrimental than beneficial.

The darkness hidden legally
The negative aspects of the industry remain concealed under contracts.

You only see the nice
What the public sees is often just the polished, positive surface.

I'm too afraid to sign the line
The thought of committing terrifies me due to potential consequences.

There'd be no turning back
Once signed, reversing the agreement would be impossible.

I'd sell off all my poetry
I would have to relinquish ownership of my creative expressions.

And in return get stacks
In exchange for my work, I would merely receive monetary compensation.

The money isn't worth it
I believe the financial gain does not justify the loss of my art.

I need to have control
It's essential for me to maintain authority over my creations.

It can't be that hard
Managing my career and work should be achievable.

I have minimal goals
My aspirations are straightforward and modest.

I'll do it on my own
I plan to navigate my artistic journey independently.

It's the only choice I've got
With no other option available, this is my path forward.

I can't be censored down
I refuse to allow my voice or message to be suppressed.

I need to speak my thoughts
Expressing my ideas and feelings is a necessity for me.

To most this may seem dumb
Some might view my views and choices as unwise or foolish.

You sign to get ahead
Others often believe that agreements lead to greater success.

You'll do well on the charts
This route is often thought to elevate an artist’s visibility.

Your music would be spread
Industry ties are seen as a means to distribute music widely.

I don't need to see the top
I am not motivated by fame or commercial success.

I don't need to be well known
Recognition is not my primary goal as an artist.

I just want to make music
My main desire is to create art that resonates with me.

I don't need to have a throne
I do not seek power or a dominant position in the music industry.

Isolation suits me
Being alone aligns well with my personal and creative needs.

It's where I feel at home
Solitude is where I find comfort and peace.

I'm confident if I work hard
I believe that with effort and dedication, I can succeed.

I'll make it on my own
I am determined to achieve my dreams independently.