the song starts of with an acoustic guitar riff accompanied by a ringing electric guitar background fill. both continue throughout the entire song. the song gradually builds up, with bass and drums coming in, as the song approaches the prechorus, before erupting into an emotional chorus led by ryan's vocals and carried along by the full band. the song climaxes at the bridge, with ryan's falsetto and an electric guitar tremolo background. in live versions, guitarist drew brown plays a tremolo guitar solo during the bridge portion instead of the original recording.