[Verse 1] I used to watch other kids run into open arms, Crying over scraped knees, safe from harm, And I’d stand there quiet, pretending I was strong, Like I didn’t wish that kind of love was mine all along. Home never felt like somewhere I could rest, Just learned to keep everything locked in my chest, Every fight, every fear, every hurt suppressed, A child trying to survive instead of being blessed. I didn’t need perfect, didn’t need it all, Just someone to catch me when I’d fall, Someone to answer when I’d call, Someone to prove I mattered at all. [Chorus] And I really think I needed my mom, Not just someone who gave me life and moved on, But someone who’d hold me when shit went wrong, Tell me I was safe, tell me I belonged. I needed a voice saying, “Baby, you’re okay,” Someone to help the nightmares go away, Someone who stayed when I was afraid… Yeah… I really think I needed my mom that way. [Verse 2] When the world hurt me in ways I couldn’t explain, When trust got shattered and I carried the shame, I didn’t need silence or someone to blame, I needed comfort when I spoke that pain. Needed someone angry on my behalf, Someone who’d say, “They’ll never hurt you like that,” Someone to hold me when memories attacked, Not make me feel like my pain was just a fact. A kid shouldn’t have to grow up alone, Shouldn’t feel like survival’s the only home, Shouldn’t learn to heal with a heart of stone, Just because nobody picked up the phone. [Chorus] And I really think I needed my mom, Someone who saw when my smile was gone, Someone who’d fight when the world felt wrong, Remind me I’d been strong all along. I needed warmth, not distance or blame, Needed love that didn’t come with pain, Someone to shelter me from the rain… Yeah… I really needed a mom, not just a name. [Bridge – softer] I’m not saying you had to be perfect, I know life hurt you too… But a child still needs protecting, And I was just a kid… trying to make it through. [Final Chorus] And I really think I needed my mom, But now I’m learning to become my own, Holding the child who grew up alone, Teaching her she’s safe, she’s home. And maybe one day the hurt won’t feel so strong, Maybe healing will finally come along, But tonight I’ll admit what I needed all along… I really think I needed my mom. [Outro] And now… I’m learning how to be that for myself.

I needed my mom …