[Verse 1]
I’m tired of explaining
why my head won’t rest
I wear a hard face
but it’s all a mess
I keep the door locked
keep the words in line
smile like I’m fine
then I fall behind
[Pre-Chorus]
If you looked once
you’d see the strain
all the little bruises
I never say
And I keep hoping
for a quiet kind of light
that lands on me
and gets it right
[Chorus]
Look at me once
look at me once
(look at me once)
See all the hidden parts
See what I guard so hard
Look at me once
look at me once
(and don’t look away)
[Verse 2]
I’m tired of pretending
I can carry this alone
every room gets smaller
when I come back home
My hands stay busy
my mouth stays small
I leave the worst of me
behind the wall
[Pre-Chorus]
If you looked once
you’d know my name
under the laughter
under the shame
And I keep hoping
for a quiet kind of light
that lands on me
and gets it right
[Chorus]
Look at me once
look at me once
(look at me once)
See all the hidden parts
See what I guard so hard
Look at me once
look at me once
(and don’t look away)
[Bridge]
Maybe I’m not
as hard as I seem
maybe I’m just
too scared to be seen
So if you stay
stay close, stay near
I’ve been a locked room
for way too many years
[Final Chorus]
Look at me once
look at me once
(look at me once)
See all the hidden parts
See what I guard so hard
Look at me once
look at me once
(and don’t look away)
Look at me once
look at me once
(say you understand)