Backbone
Finding Strength in Fragility: Whitney Outerbridge's 'Backbone' Reflection
Lyrics
I bend, I break,
I am flexible and adaptable, but there's a limit to my resilience.
I mold into clay.
I can be shaped and influenced, like clay in the hands of others.
The longer I stay the more my back aches but I still would've stayed.
Despite the challenges and strain, I chose to endure the situation.
Forgot my eyes, told myself lies:
I neglected to see the truth, fabricating excuses for myself.
"I was depressed" and that that was the reason you made me a mess.
I attributed my emotional state to depression caused by the other person.
Cars to your house every night, we never stayed at mine, full of compromise... I wish I would've grown, just a little backbone
We consistently went to your place, indicating a lack of assertiveness on my part; I regret not having more self-confidence.
I walk at dusk, the windows light up,
I stroll during the evening, observing the lives of seemingly content strangers illuminated in their windows.
Framing these strangers who seem to have their lives all figured out.
Despite my observations, I can't understand the secret to their happiness.
Can't crack the code, this boy must know, thought it would solve all my problems to make sure I wasn't alone.
I believed that being with someone would solve my problems and alleviate my loneliness.
Cars to your house every night, we never stayed at mine full of compromise, I wish I would've grown, just a little backbone.
Reiteration of the compromise and lack of personal growth due to a weak stance.
Cars to your house every night, we never stayed at mine, full of compromise, I wish I would've grown, just a little backbone.
Continued repetition of the regret for not developing a stronger backbone.
Cars to your house every night, we never stayed at mine, full of compromise, I wish I would've grown, just a little backbone.
Emphasis on the pattern of compromise and a desire for personal growth.
Cars to your house every night, we never stayed at mine, full of compromise, I wish I would've grown, just a little backbone.
Repetition, underlining the consistent compromise and the wish for greater strength.
Just a little backbone.
An explicit desire for a bit more inner strength and resilience.
Just a little backbone.
Reiteration of the plea for a small amount of additional backbone.
Just a little backbone.
Repeated emphasis on the need for a slight increase in personal strength.
Just a little backbone.
Continued plea for a modest enhancement in inner strength.
...a little backbone.
The song concludes with a final mention of the desire for a little more backbone.
Comment