Born A Girl
Manic Street Preachers Lyrics
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Will you accuse me as I hide
Behind these layers of disguise
In the mirrors of my own happiness?
I've loved the freedom of being inside
Need a new start and a different time
Something grows in the space between me
And it's twisting and changing this fragile body
And I wish I had been born a girl instead of what I am
Yes I wish I had been born a girl and not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
The censorship of my skin
Is screaming inside and from within
There's no room in this world for a girl like me
No place around there where I fit in
And I wish I had been born a girl instead of what I am
Yes I wish I had been born a girl and not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
Ooh
In "Born A Girl," Manic Street Preachers explore themes of gender identity and the constraints of societal expectations. The singer of the song questions their appearance, wondering if they're hiding behind a mask of happiness and beauty. The lyrics reflect the internal struggle of individuals who feel trapped in their assigned gender roles and societal expectations.
The lines "I've loved the freedom of being inside/Need a new start and a different time" suggest that the singer is repressed and wants to break free from their current life. They feel a disconnect between their body and their identity, and wish they had been born differently. The repeated chorus line "Yes I wish I had been born a girl and not this mess of a man" emphasizes their yearning for a different gender identity.
The song talks about the censorship of one's skin, which is a common experience for people who feel trapped in gender roles that don't align with their identity. The lyrics "There's no room in this world for a girl like me/No place around there where I fit in" reflect the isolation and ostracism felt by those who are different from societal norms.
Overall, the song tackles important themes of gender identity, societal expectations, and the struggle to be true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Do I look good for you tonight?
I am concerned about my appearance and want to be desirable to you.
Will you accuse me as I hide
I am afraid of being exposed and judged for who I really am.
Behind these layers of disguise
I am hiding behind a façade of femininity to conceal my true identity.
In the mirrors of my own happiness?
I am trying to find contentment and fulfillment within myself but struggle to do so.
I've loved the freedom of being inside
I have felt a sense of liberation in embracing my feminine side.
Need a new start and a different time
I yearn for a fresh beginning and an opportunity to live openly as a woman.
Something grows in the space between me
There is an inner conflict between my male body and my female identity.
And it's twisting and changing this fragile body
My struggle with gender identity is causing a physical and emotional toll on me.
The censorship of my skin
Society's norms and expectations are suffocating me and preventing me from expressing myself authentically.
Is screaming inside and from within
I feel trapped and overwhelmed by my gender dysphoria.
There's no room in this world for a girl like me
I feel like an outsider in a society that only recognizes binary gender identities.
No place around there where I fit in
I struggle to find acceptance and belonging in a world that rejects my identity.
And I wish I had been born a girl instead of what I am
I long to have been born with a feminine body to match my gender identity.
Yes I wish I had been born a girl and not this mess of a man
I regret being born male and feel like a flawed version of myself.
And not this mess of a man
I am deeply unhappy and at odds with my assigned gender.
Ooh
An expression of emotional pain and frustration.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: James Bradfield, Nicholas Jones, Sean Moore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CARLBARTER1
Do I look good for you tonight
Will you accuse me as I hide
Behind these layers of disguise
And the mirrors of my own happiness
I've loved the freedom of being inside
Need a new start and a different time
Something grows in the space between me
And it's twisting and changing this fragile body
And I wish I had been born a girl
Instead of what I am
Yes I wish I had been born a girl
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
The censorship of my skin
Is screaming inside and from within
There's no room in this world for a girl like me
No place around there where I fit in
And I wish I had been born a girl
Instead of what I am
Yes I wish I had been born a girl
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
And not this mess of a man
@Ancilondu
This is one of the songs that helped me work out who I was, to hear it put into words by someone else had such an impact... The first time I heard it I broke down and cried like a baby. :')
@verenavermas5850
In 1999 I visited my mother in Arizona, a hot summer, red dust, red sand and once we went into a virgin music store in Phoenix. I remember listening to some of their songs in Germany. So I bought the whole album. And suddenly there was the song I was longing for. Born a Girl. Since I can dream I was always dreaming of me as a girl...Now, with 35, I am where I wanted to be...and I still see that 18 year old person listening to that song in a car driving around arizona in a desert like environment being desperate...
@homerjsinnott
One of my favourite songs ever. For everybody who has ever wished they were someone else, no matter who.
@MrJaxDemon
How people have different opinions of this song. For me it's meaning a man who's struggling in life and believing that if he was born a girl it would have been easier to deal with the emotions he's having to deal with.
@shaunbarratt6745
JaxDemon always how I interpreted it too, how it’s seen as unmanly to be depressed/expected to ‘man up’ and just be strong and it’s easier for women to be able to open up and express themselves
@lilithhawkins6454
It's how a lot of trans women feel too. That's why a lot use it as their anthem.
@GhostGlitch.
@@lilithhawkins6454yea. Whatever they originally meant to say with the song, that's the only way I can read it
@ebp5530
One of the most intellectually influential and sincere bands of the last 40 years
@b.bailey8244
amazing... you don''t often hear a man voice these feelings....
@vhchcfhmb9358
What makes me love this song more is that the singer can put this much power into these words, when it was the bassist that wrote them. Just powerful, beautiful stuff.