Tristan Cole Cross - “Deadspin”

About this recording The lyrics and underlying musical composition of “Deadspin” are original human-authored work by Dietrick Hardwick, written in 2016. This 2026 recording is an AI-assisted interpretation and production of that original work. Generative AI tools were used as a production and performance instrument to realize and iteratively refine the vocals, instrumentation, arrangement, and sonic presentation under my creative direction. Tristan Cole is a fictional recording artist/persona. The depicted performer and vocal performance are synthetic and do not represent a real recording artist. I believe creative work made with emerging tools should be transparent about its provenance. AI is part of how this particular recording was realized; it is not the origin of the song. Original words & music: Dietrick Hardwick Song written: 2016 Creative direction & production: Dietrick Hardwick Creative consultant & executive producer: Karina Ferro Hardwick AI-assisted performance & production: 2026 Fictional performing artist: Tristan Cole © 2016 Dietrick Hardwick — Words & Music All rights reserved. ⸻ Deadspin LYRICS [Verse 1] Thank you for the flowers They brighten up my room And bring me to some peace of mind In the midst of all this gloom It’s only been an hour And I lie in deepening wounds My mind left here not long ago My spirit left last June [Verse 2] You should really listen To what they’ve always said You are indeed the bright one I’m the one who ends up dead [Pre-Chorus] Trapped within my own skin Goin’ through emotions Climbin’ up a mountain From the bottom of the ocean Every moment is an hour In this wretched living hell The only thing left is time And only time will tell [Chorus] So why don’t you show me… What it takes to shake me How to fall to my knees What it takes to break me Down and make me a humble man What it takes to wake me When to beg for mercy What it takes to lift me up And make me whole again ‘Cuz I’m in a Deadspin (Deadspin) I’m in a Deadspin [Verse 3] Thank you for the flowers They liven up my grave My soul departed long ago My body now decays Now I understand its power As I lay here cold and gray I gave my life so you don’t have to Don’t let it be in vain [Bridge] Trapped within this prison Can’t show my emotions Shouting at the mountain From the bottom of an ocean The hurt and the healer The heart and the pain Searching for the answer To save my soul again [Chorus] So why don’t you show me… What it takes to shake me How to fall to my knees What it takes to break me Down and make me a humble man What it takes to wake me When to beg for mercy What it takes to lift me up And make me whole again ‘Cuz I’m in a Deadspin (Deadspin) I’m in a Deadspin