Venom and Cure (Say It)
Alex Wilson (duet)
Description
A darkly seductive dark pop duet exploring the volatile dynamic between two individuals drawn to each other's toxic yet irresistible qualities. The song delves into themes of forbidden desire, the push and pull between pain and pleasure, and the intoxicating allure of a love that simultaneously destroys and heals. With a blend of gritty electronic elements and haunting vocal harmonies, 'Venom and Cure (Say It)' captures the feeling of being helplessly addicted to a relationship defined by its intoxicating contradictions.
Lyrics
[soprano vocalise] (wordless “ah/eh” run, bright plate) [baritone melisma] (wordless “ooh/uh” run, dark plate) [Whisper, breaths, low 808 rumble] [Male:] (whisper) Say it. [Female:] (whisper) You first. [Both:] (whisper) Venom… and cure. [Verse 1A - Male] You walk in like a promise with a body count, Sugar on your teeth, pretty word of mouth. Every “never” on my list turns soft, Halo in the gutter, I still take it off. [Verse 1B - Female] You say I look like trouble; you look just like home, Knock on my defenses till the hinges groan. Swore I’d keep it holy, then you changed the pew, Put your hands together—pray for what we do. [Pre-Chorus - traded lines] [Male:] You call me out, but you cut the brake. [Female:] You light the match and you watch me ache. [Male:] Say “be good,” then you pull me close— [Female:] Tell the truth—you love the dose. [Chorus - unison then stacked thirds] You’re my venom and you’re my cure, Shoot me down, then make me sure. Hate me right and love me pure— Say it—venom and cure. Angel eyes with a criminal grin, Make me swear and sin again. Every time we touch I can’t get clean— Blessed and cursed, same thing to me. [Post-Chorus - chant, chopped vox] (chant) Ve-nom. Cu-re. Say it—say it—over me. (chant) Ve-nom. Cu-re. Say it—say it—over me. [Verse 2 - call and response] [Male:] You draw a line just to see me cross. [Female:] You kiss like mercy and you bite like loss. [Male:] You take the crown off every doubt I wear. [Female:] You ruin me sweet—say a little prayer. [Both:] We keep score with a bleeding pen, Lose on purpose just to play again. [Pre-Chorus - traded lines] [Female:] You call me storm, then you chase the rain. [Male:] You say “I’m done,” then you spell my name. [Female:] If it’s a lie, why’s your pulse this fast? [Male:] If it’s the end, why’s your hand still last? [Chorus - unison then stacked thirds] You’re my venom and you’re my cure, Shoot me down, then make me sure. Hate me right and love me pure— Say it—venom and cure. Angel eyes with a criminal grin, Make me swear and sin again. Every time we touch I can’t get clean— Blessed and cursed, same thing to me. [Bridge - breakdown, half-time, sub bass, breaths] [Male:] Write your damage on my ribs in ink. [Female:] Put your halo where my teeth might think. [Male:] If it’s wrong, then say it like a vow— [Female:] Cross my heart and break it now. [Both - tight harmony, staccato] Saint on Sunday, wolf by Tuesday, Choose me, use me, tell the truth. If I’m the ache you can’t release— Say my name and don’t make peace. [Drop - vocoder chop, ad-libs] (whispers) Venom… and cure… feels so wrong, feels so right… [Final Chorus - double, V2 countermelody] You’re my venom and you’re my cure, Shoot me down, then make me sure. Hate me right and love me pure— Say it—venom and cure. Angel eyes with a criminal grin, Make me swear and sin again. Every time we touch I can’t get clean— Blessed and cursed, same thing to me. [Tag - whisper, dry] [Both:] Halo, horns—same head.