Lyrics
The gig is up, the battle’s done
The event or situation is over, and the conflict has ended.
The kings and queens put down their crowns
Royalty has relinquished their titles.
The war is over now
The war has concluded.
Why am I still empty somehow?
The singer feels a sense of emptiness despite the victory.
The lights are downed, they take a bow
The performance is finished, and there is applause.
Standing ovations from the crowd
The crowd expresses admiration with a standing ovation.
I worked so hard for this
The singer worked hard but questions if they deserve the success.
But still, do I deserve it?
An internal struggle about deserving the achievement.
And they all say it feels so good to reach your goals someday Eyes on the prize, but I still feel like maybe I'm just in the way
The singer questions the satisfaction of reaching goals and feels like an obstacle.
I'm just a girl, lost and afraid
The singer sees herself as a lost and fearful girl.
Didn't know what I wanted until the tenth grade
Realization of desires in the tenth grade.
So what am I here for? What do I say?
The singer questions her purpose and message.
I'm not your valedictorian
The singer disclaims being the valedictorian.
I see it written all over their faces
Others perceive the singer as undeserving.
They know I'm probably taking someone else's space So what am I here for? What do I say?
Awareness of taking someone else's place.
I'm not your valedictorian
The singer reiterates not being the valedictorian.
They call my name, you squeeze my hand But I'm still that girl who didn't understand Asking questions in the classroom
Despite recognition, the singer feels unchanged.
This cap and gown feels more like a costume My high school counselor once told me Some things are just out of your league
The graduation attire feels like a disguise.
“You should stick to singing
A counselor suggests sticking to singing due to perceived limitations.
'Cause they build robots and you can't compete”
A reference to the singer's inability to compete in certain fields.
I'm just a girl, lost and afraid
Reiteration of being a lost and afraid girl.
Didn't know what I wanted until the tenth grade
Realization of desires in the tenth grade.
So what am I here for? What do I say?
Continued questioning of purpose and message.
I'm not your valedictorian
The singer denies being the valedictorian.
I see it written all over their faces
Perception of judgment in others' faces.
They know I’m probably taking someone else's space So what am I here for? What do I say?
Awareness of taking someone else's space.
I'm not your valedictorian
The singer reaffirms not being the valedictorian.
I wanna thank my mom and dad
Expressing gratitude to parents and friends.
I wanna thank the best friends I ever had
Gratitude towards close friends.
I wanna thank my sister, 'cause she was always there for me To them, I'm always a valedictorian
The singer's sister is a constant support, considering her a valedictorian.
I'm just a girl, lost and afraid
Reiteration of being a lost and afraid girl.
Didn't know what I wanted until the tenth grade
Realization of desires in the tenth grade.
So what am I here for? What do I say?
Continued questioning of purpose and message.
I'm not your valedictorian
The singer denies being the valedictorian.
I see it written all over their faces
Perception of judgment in others' faces.
They know I’m probably taking someone else's space So what am I here for? What do I say?
Awareness of taking someone else's space.
I'm not your valedictorian
The singer reaffirms not being the valedictorian.
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