Lyrics
At 22 years old
Expressing the age of 22, a pivotal time in life.
They're telling me I'll never make it on my own
Facing skepticism about the ability to succeed independently.
That I should leave it all behind & let it go
Suggesting advice to abandon current pursuits and move on.
And Let the industry decide my tomorrow
Referring to the pressure of letting the industry shape the future.
But I can feel it & I know I'm getting close
Despite doubts, sensing proximity to success.
I stand on stage with people singing words I wrote
Describing the experience of performing one's own compositions.
I feel the music make its way throughout their bones
Noting the impact of music on the audience at a profound level.
So if I give it all up now I'll never know
Contemplating the risk of giving up and never discovering full potential.
You know that I can't be anybody else
Affirming the commitment to authenticity, rejecting imitation.
I feel better when I know myself
Emphasizing self-awareness and comfort in one's identity.
You keep telling me I need your help
Acknowledging external offers of assistance.
I won't ever need your help
Rejecting the notion of dependence on external help.
No I'll never need your help
Reiterating independence and self-reliance.
At 23 years old
Transitioning to the age of 23 and reflecting on past accomplishments.
Took just under a year to prove them wrong
Proving doubters wrong within a year.
Now they decide they want to listen to my songs
Noting newfound interest and recognition from others.
And Take the credit for what I've already done
Critiquing those who seek credit for the artist's individual achievements.
But everything I've done so far I've done alone
Stressing that personal accomplishments were achieved independently.
And Now they're left out leaving missed calls on my phone
Observing missed calls from those who previously doubted the artist.
Trying to cut in line for tickets to my show
Describing attempts by others to benefit from the artist's success.
I guess I knew I had it in me all along
Confirming a self-awareness of latent potential.
You know that I can't be anybody else
Repeating the importance of authenticity and self-understanding.
I feel better when I know myself
Reiterating the positive impact of self-awareness on well-being.
You keep telling me I need your help
Acknowledging external offers of assistance (repeated).
I won't ever need your help
Rejecting the notion of dependence on external help (repeated).
No I'll never need your help
Reiterating independence and self-reliance (repeated).
I was told when I was 13
Recalling encouragement received at the age of 13.
I could do things; others couldn't seem to believe
Highlighting unique abilities that others found hard to believe.
'Til they met me
Describing a tendency to withdraw to personal dreams and visions.
That's when I'd retreat, to my dreams
Indicating a retreat to a creative and imaginative space.
Where I'd see things, others couldn't see
Emphasizing the artist's ability to perceive things differently.
Through a beat, pen & poetry
Listing creative tools—beat, pen, and poetry—as channels of expression.
Now I know I breathe for a reason
Acknowledging a newfound understanding of one's purpose.
Now I know I write from the mind of the teacher
Realizing that creative expression comes from a teacher's perspective.
I used to watch the sheep as they wait for a leader
Observing a transformation from passive follower (sheep) to a leader.
Now I guess they found out who I am
Confirming acceptance and recognition of personal identity.
You know that I can't be anybody else
Repeating the commitment to authenticity and self-awareness.
I feel better when I know myself
Reiterating the positive impact of self-awareness on well-being.
You keep telling me I need your help
Acknowledging external offers of assistance (repeated).
I won't ever need your help
Rejecting the notion of dependence on external help (repeated).
You know that I can't be anybody else
Repeating the commitment to authenticity and self-awareness.
I feel better when I know myself
Reiterating the positive impact of self-awareness on well-being.
You keep telling me I need your help
Acknowledging external offers of assistance (repeated).
I won't ever need your help
Rejecting the notion of dependence on external help (repeated).
No I'll never need your help
Reiterating independence and self-reliance
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