[Intro — distant processed vocal, drone beneath]
When the argument runs dry
When the argument runs dry
When the argument runs dry
(something has to fill the air)
[Verse 1 — sparse guitar, whispered delivery]
You can't answer what I said
So you tell me who I am instead
Not the claim — the claimant
Not the logic — the defendant
You've moved the court to another room
[Pre-Chorus — cello enters]
It's the shortest path to winning
When you've got no facts, just naming
When you've got no facts, just naming
[Chorus — fuller, layered vocals, drums enter]
Ad hominem, ad hominem
You've admitted there's nothing left to defend
Ad hominem, ad hominem
The label lands and the discourse ends
You don't have to beat the argument
You just have to make me feared
[Verse 2 — building, rhythmic pulse]
The herd doesn't parse the substance
They see the stain and that's sufficient
One word — slurred, branded, cast out
And nobody wants to be that doubt
So they swallow what you're selling
[Pre-Chorus]
It's the shortest path to silence
When you dress up your violence
In the language of allegiance
[Chorus — louder, more layers]
Ad hominem, ad hominem
You've admitted there's nothing left to defend
Ad hominem, ad hominem
The chilling effect descends
You don't have to win the argument
You just have to make me feared
[Bridge — Spoken Word, drums drop out, drone swells]
Here's the thing — and this is the thing —
Your attack is your confession:
"I have no counter-thesis"
"I have no counter-thesis"
You've swapped the ground for the person
And we all know what that means
[Whisper — layered, almost subliminal]
It means you've lost already
It means you've lost already
It means you've lost already
[Verse 3 — half time, reflective, cello lead]
And the silence spreads like weather
People choose to not speak, ever
Better safe than labeled, branded
Better compliant than demanded
To defend what they believe in
[Post-Chorus — wordless vocal, layered]
Ahhh — ad hominem
Ahhh — ad hominem
(the air has all been filled)
[Outro — returns to intro texture, processed and distant]
When the argument runs dry
When the argument runs dry
Ad hominem, ad hominem
When the argument runs dry
[Fade Out]