(The song begins with a simple, melancholic piano melody. The vocals are close, intimate, and vulnerable.)
(Verse 1)
I learned to laugh a little quieter,to tilt my head just right
I painted on the person you wanted to see at night
I was a perfect echo,a reflection, clear and true
I spent my whole life making sure I looked just like you
I memorized your wants,I made your dreams my own design
And I lost the fragile,messy, beautiful original of mine
(Pre-Chorus)
And I'm so tired of the glass,of the perfect, cold facade
Of trying to fit the pieces of a puzzle that's just flawed...
'Cause I don't know who I am anymore.
(Chorus)
So I'm done being your mirror!
I'll be my own shine!
Shatter the surface,these reflections were never mine!
I'm picking up the pieces,sharp and beautiful and new
And for the first time,I see me staring back at you!
No,I won't be your mirror, not anymore tonight
I'm stepping from the shadow,into my own light!
(Verse 2)
You hand me back the person that you think I need to be
With all the cracks and colors you refuse to let me see
You tell me"Smile, it's better," "Don't make a scene, just be sweet"
But your reflection's just a gilded,bitter, sad defeat
This glass is turning into bars,a prison I outgrew
The key was in my pocket,all along it was just... me.
(Pre-Chorus)
And I'm so tired of the glass,of the perfect, cold facade
Of trying to fit the pieces of a puzzle that's just flawed...
'Cause I want to know who I am.
(Chorus)
So I'm done being your mirror!
I'll be my own shine!
Shatter the surface,these reflections were never mine!
I'm picking up the pieces,sharp and beautiful and new
And for the first time,I see me staring back at you!
No,I won't be your mirror, not anymore tonight
I'm stepping from the shadow,into my own light!
(Bridge)
(Drums and strings drop out,back to sparse piano)
And if the pieces cut my hands,I'll let them bleed and I'll let them heal
'Cause a scar that's truly mine is more real than a face that isn't real...
I'd rather be broken,and be me.
(Final Chorus - huge, powerful, with full orchestration and layered vocals)
I'M DONE BEING YOUR MIRROR!
I'LL BE MY OWN GODDAMN SHINE!
I SHATTERED THE SURFACE,THIS GLORIOUS MESS IS MINE!
I'M PICKING UP THE PIECES,STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL AND NEW!
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME,I LOVE THE GIRL STARING BACK AT YOU!
NO,I WON'T BE YOUR MIRROR! NOT ANOTHER DAY!
I'M STEPPING FROM THE SHADOW,AND I'M BURNING BRIGHT THIS WAY!
(Outro)
(Piano and strings swell and then fade gently)
My own light...
(Last piano note hangs in the air)
...my own shine.
