[Verse 1]
I learned young how to earn my keep
Before I learned what a kid should need
Some nights a couch, some nights no place
Another town, another change
Mom and Dad, they did what they knew
They loved us, yeah, I know that’s true
But love gets hard when the bills come due
And everybody’s just trying to make it through
[Pre-Chorus]
So I learned to run before I could stay
Learned to work before I could play
If you’re wondering why I can’t slow down
Well, I guess I know the answer now
[Chorus]
That’s why I’m this way
Why I work too hard, why I don’t know when to stop
Why I’m always chasing something
Like I’m scared of what I’ve got
Why I laugh when it hurts
Why I get back up every time I break
I spent my whole life proving
I was more than what they’d say
Yeah, I survived my yesterday
That’s why I’m this way
[Verse 2]
They called me stupid sitting in that chair
Words on the page just wouldn’t stay there
Nobody knew what was going on
So I figured I must’ve been the one who was wrong
Too loud, too fast, couldn’t sit still
A head full of noise and an iron will
Got knocked down, got laughed at too
So I built me a skin they couldn’t get through
[Pre-Chorus]
Every bruise put another brick in place
Every joke made me pick up the pace
I swore someday they’d know my name
Maybe that’s why I’m still running today
[Chorus]
That’s why I’m this way
Why I work too hard, why I don’t know when to stop
Why I’m always chasing something
Like I’m scared of what I’ve got
Why I laugh when it hurts
Why I get back up every time I break
I spent my whole life proving
I was more than what they’d say
Yeah, I survived my yesterday
That’s why I’m this way
[Verse 3 — Pull It Back]
Nobody taught me how to be a dad
Or how to hold onto the good I have
How to be a husband, how to be a friend
Without wondering what I gotta do for them
‘Cause love always felt like something earned
You give enough and you get some in return
And I’m still learning it don’t work that way
Somebody can love you and just want you to stay
[Bridge — Build]
I’m still that kid with his shoes by the door
Still thinking tomorrow might ask for more
Still counting the dollars, checking the lights
Still ready to run in the middle of the night
But I’ve got people who don’t need me to prove
A damn thing just to have something to lose
Maybe surviving got me this far
But surviving ain’t all that we are
[Final Chorus — Big]
Yeah, that’s why I’m this way
Why I work too hard, why I don’t know when to stop
Why I’m always chasing something
Even when I’ve got a lot
Why I love like tomorrow
Could come and take it all away
I spent my whole life proving
I was more than what they’d say
But I’m learning I don’t have to
Fight every fight that comes my way
I’m more than what I lived through
I’m more than yesterday
Yeah, it made me who I am
But it don’t get to make
Who I am tomorrow
Just why I’m this way
[Outro]
Yeah, I’m still learning how to stay
Still learning love don’t have to be earned that way
I ain’t ashamed o
