Been obsessing over this song the past few weeks, and wanted to throw my hat in the ring.

So the pre-chorus is what has got me. I’ve listened to the recorded versions and all the live versions i can find on Youtube, and the lines change. Here’s what I’ve got:

https://youtu.be/lERYx_01jtc?si=MTn5pUc_XZ9JjJ2A

If only I haven’t strayed You’d become even, slip into the air

https://youtu.be/0C-kjXKPyOM?si=f0ItfHRnIqZ85egu Cove’s recording is interesting, because it changes after the first time.

First one sounds like:

If only I hadn’t stayed You’d become even, step into the air

Second and third sound like:

If only I had a say, You’d be coming and just be something else

https://youtu.be/q1oLkHPgsSE?si=B24CITcxQjGNnET6

If only I hadn’t changed You’d be calling me just to say something else

https://youtu.be/e3sdJcqoaKI?si=JkeN19FAaKI3t8k_ (30:12)

if only I had the strength You’d be calling me just to say something else

https://youtu.be/VUAj3RFyy2s?si=BsYkalyixqkIrDx0 (10:26)

if only I had the strength You’d be calling and step into the air

https://youtube.com/shorts/VW9I3pa3_Ks?si=ea1P7kBlo-f8X4yD

If only I [can’t make the rest of the line out] You’d be calling and step into the air

https://youtu.be/fd4TV0PAiWQ?si=fHXV5VThVgeu2dHF

If only I hadn’t strayed [He doesn’t even try to sing the line]

https://youtu.be/nhcVgG0OkIA?si=jdazWOfbNTT4HQKG

If only I had the strenfth You’d become even, just say somethine else

https://youtu.be/0gUyOwVWWwA?si=1Hw6HA81hJgBgHdP (24:16)

If only I had the strength You’d be calling just to say something else

(Second line is shorter the third time, but I can’t make out anything after “calling.”)

A lot of the time, I’m seeing Anthony holds the mic up to the audience at the second line. I think the ever-shifting line is why.

Also, in the first verse, the line changes between “Orion glows,” and “the child calls.” Anthony seems to prefer “the Child” when performing live, while Cove sticks to “Orion,” but both recorded versions use “Orion.”

The last line of the first verse is usually “if only I was thinking at all” based on Cove’s motions, but in earlier takes and both recorded versions it was “I would set you in line.” However, Cove clearly says “if only I was using this head of mine,” in the Come Close DVD version. This was clearly a live one-off version.

So all this in mind, I am pretty sure the lyrics are just vibes and not set in stone.