From the recording Reach Me Before I Let Go
This song is a 16-year-old boy’s plea to his parents: “I’m not being difficult—I’m hurting.” He’s trying to act tough and unbothered, but repeated feelings of rejection have made him shut down to protect himself. He’s asking his parents not to dismiss his pain as a phase, because emotional wounds don’t just disappear—they quietly harden the heart.
The message is urgent: reach me now, before I detach, before I stop coming home, before I look for belonging in the wrong places. If home doesn’t feel safe, he’ll seek comfort from friends, a crew, substances, or relationships that feel like family in the moment—but can trap him later. Underneath the attitude is a son who still wants connection, guidance, and reassurance that he matters.
At its core, the song is a call for parents to respond with presence instead of criticism, listening instead of lectures, and love that reaches past silence—because he’s not too far gone, but he’s close to giving up.
Lyrics
[Intro – Spoken]
I’m sixteen…
I’m trying, man.
________________________________________
[Verse 1]
I’m sixteen in my room
Act like I’m “too cool”
But when I feel rejected
It messes up my mood
I used to keep on trying
To get you proud of me
Now I just stop talking
’Cause it hurts too deep
________________________________________
[Pre-Chorus]
Y’all say, “He’ll get over it”
Like it’s a little phase
But pain don’t work like that
It sits in different ways
And now it’s phones and friends
A million ways to run
So please don’t miss me now
Before I’m really gone
________________________________________
[Chorus]
Reach me before I let go
Before my heart turns cold
Before I stop coming home
Before I lose control
I’m not trying to be reckless
I’m trying to feel I matter
Reach me before I leave you
Before I break and shatter
________________________________________
[Verse 2]
Shutting down ain’t me hating
It’s me protecting me
If I keep getting shut out
What else you think I’ll be?
I say, “I’m straight,” I’m “good”
But I’m not good at all
I hate how small I feel
When I’m standing tall
So I lean on my boys
’Cause they listen to me
When I’m lost and embarrassed
And you don’t really see
________________________________________
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I just want you to hear me
Not just tell me I’m wrong
If love don’t feel safe here
I’ll find it somewhere strong
And sometimes that “somewhere”
Ain’t good for my life
But it feels like a family
When I’m low at night
________________________________________
[Chorus]
Reach me before I let go
Before my heart turns cold
Before I stop coming home
Before I lose control
I’m not trying to be reckless
I’m trying to feel I matter
Reach me before I detach
Before I break and shatter
________________________________________
[Bridge]
If I lose my direction
I’ll grab at anything
A crew that says, “We got you”
A hit that makes me sing
A girl that says she loves me
But it turns into pain
A life that looks like freedom
But it feels like a chain
So don’t just call me “crazy”
Or act like I’m a threat
I’m still your son, I’m here
I ain’t too far gone yet
________________________________________
[Final Chorus – Bigger / Ad-libs]
Reach me before I let go
Before my heart turns cold
Before I stop coming home
Before I lose control
I’m not trying to be reckless
I’m trying to feel I matter
Reach me before I detach
Before I break and shatter
Ad-libs (optional):
Please see me… / Don’t leave me…
Talk to me… / I’m still me…
Hold me down… / Bring me back…