In "The Book," John Michael Howell, JVKE, and ZVC face the ache of loving unevenly after a breakup. The relationship was everything to them, but to the other it was only a passing chapter, leaving them stuck rereading old lines and wondering if the feelings were ever mutual. The book metaphor sharpens that imbalance: one life gets a title, the other just a page. Closing the book while the other merely turns a chapter captures the lonely finality of being the one who still believes in a happy ever after.
The Book Lyrics by John Michael Howell
(Feat. JVKE, ZVC)
Was I just the setup before the payoff?
Darlin’, what was I to you? (Ooh)
A piece of the story, but never the main part
A shadow of somebody new
You should’ve seen the happy ever after (Ooh)
But you’re movin’ on while I still feel the same
Oh, I’m just a page in the book of your life
But you were the title of mine
I’m stuck in a chapter that you left behind
Readin’ between all the lines
Like, were we ever real?
And did you ever feel a fraction of what I felt for you?
Oh, I’m just a page in the book of your life
But you were the title of—
You were the title of mine
Was I just a story? Fiction or fable
I’ll be whatever you choose (Ooh)
Am I just a memory or a love from a past life?
Darling, regardless, I lose
You should’ve seen the happy ever after (Ever after), but nothing matters
Now that you’re gone, I’ll never be the same
Oh, I’m just a page in the book of your life
But you were the title of mine
And I’m stuck in a chapter that you left behind
Readin’ between all the lines
Like, were we ever real? (Were we ever real?)
And did you ever feel a fraction of what I felt for you?
Oh, I’m just a page in the book of your life
But you were the title of—
You were the title of mine
I’m closin’ the book while you’re closin’ the chapter
I know the look, ain’t no happy ever after
I’m closin’ the book while you’re closin’ the chapter
But you were the title of—
You were the title of mine
