<my$.02>

Musically, I much prefer the more upbeat version.

Specifically, I liked the strong beat (thanks for telling how you created the sound), the choice of instruments, and I thought the guitar solo you put together sounded like something a guitar player would put to this song. Good job on that! I know you put a lot of effort into crafting those parts.

But I thought the simpler version suited the lyrics better. To me the lyrics came across as the kind of introspective thoughts that one normally ponders when things are quiet.. maybe late in the day when a little tired mournfulness creeps into the thought processes.

The more upbeat version didn't fit the frame of mind *I* would be in if I were thinking thoughts as portrayed by those lyrics.

There is an upbeat aspect to the lyrics in the form of a desire to recreate the past and get it right this time... but it's an unrealized success.. considered, but not fulfilled in the course of the song. A driving beat like that suggests something good happening NOW. REALLY good... testosterone good.

The two versions are different enough to just go ahead and say they're different songs. That way you could keep the simpler song with the reflective lyrics, and for the upbeat song write new lyrics that are dripping with fresh adrenaline and sweat

</my$.02>

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0