I Ain't the Same
Alabama Shakes Lyrics


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Well I've been going through the motions
Wonder if anyone can see
That I've been looking for something
Have you been looking for me

I ain't the same no more
In fact I have changed from before
No you ain't gonna find me
Oh no 'cause I'm not who I used to be

Well I used to be a little girl
Just a smiling, feeling free
I wasn't worried about nobody
Nobody worried about me yeah

But, I ain't the same no more
You'll find I have changed from before
No you ain't gonna find me
Oh no 'cause I ain't who I used to be

I said I'd never grow old
I can't remember how it used to be
I find myself without the power
I find myself without the glory

Listen, I ain't the same no more
You'll find I have changed from before
You ain't gonna find me
Oh no, 'cause I'm not who I used to be
Oh no, no I ain't who I used to be
Oh no, no I ain't who I used to be




Oh no, oh no, oh no,
Oh no, oh no, oh no

Overall Meaning

In Alabama Shakes's song "I Ain't the Same," the singer expresses a sense of self-discovery and transformation. She describes going through the motions and wondering if anyone can see the changes she has been experiencing. The lyrics convey a searching quality, as if the singer has been seeking something to fulfill her. Moreover, she at one point sings, "Have you been looking for me?" suggesting that she has been hoping to connect with someone or something that can understand and appreciate her transformation.


The chorus repeats the refrain "I ain't the same no more," highlighting the sense of change that the singer is going through. She acknowledges openly that she is not who she used to be and expresses confidence that people will not be able to find her as she was before. The second verse provides some context for this change, noting that the singer used to be a carefree girl who did not worry about others and was not worried about herself either. This picture of innocence contrasts with the more complex, reflective self that the singer is becoming.


Overall, "I Ain't the Same" is a song about personal growth and transformation. The singer is coming to terms with the fact that she has changed, that she is not who she used to be. She is embracing this change and expressing a confidence that people will not be able to find her as she was before. The song suggests that transformation can be difficult and painful, but ultimately rewarding as the singer is becoming more fully herself.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I've been going through the motions
I have been mechanically moving through life without any particular purpose or direction.


Wonder if anyone can see
I am uncertain whether those around me are aware of my aimless existence.


That I've been looking for something
I am searching for a sense of fulfillment or purpose in my life.


Have you been looking for me
I am curious if there is someone out there who can relate to my feelings of emptiness or loss.


I ain't the same no more
I have experienced significant changes in my personality or behavior that have altered my identity.


In fact I have changed from before
I am fundamentally different from my previous self in ways that are noticeable and significant.


No you ain't gonna find me
Those who have known me in the past will not recognize who I have become.


Oh no 'cause I'm not who I used to be
I am no longer the same person I once was, and this realization has caused me great distress or sorrow.


Well I used to be a little girl
I once had a childlike innocence and carefree spirit that characterized my youth.


Just a smiling, feeling free
I was unencumbered by the struggles and responsibilities of adulthood and enjoyed a sense of joy and liberation.


I wasn't worried about nobody
I had no concerns or anxieties about other people's opinions or judgments of me.


Nobody worried about me yeah
I was able to exist without the watchful eye or criticism of others, enjoying a sense of anonymity and freedom.


But, I ain't the same no more
Despite my previous carefree existence, I have undergone significant changes that have altered my outlook on life and transformed my identity.


You'll find I have changed from before
Others who have known me in the past will observe profound differences in my personality, behavior, or attitude.


No you ain't gonna find me
Those who might seek to understand or connect with me will struggle to do so due to the profound changes I have undergone.


Oh no 'cause I ain't who I used to be
I have undergone such significant changes that I am no longer recognizable to those closest to me, and this realization is a source of great sadness or regret.


I said I'd never grow old
I once believed that I would remain youthful and free-spirited indefinitely, with no need to confront the harsh realities of age or maturity.


I can't remember how it used to be
My recollection of my previous existence as a carefree, happy person is hazy or difficult to grasp, in light of my profound personal changes.


I find myself without the power
I feel as though I lack the influence or control over my life and the world around me that I once took for granted.


I find myself without the glory
I am no longer the center of attention or admiration that I once enjoyed as a carefree, happy young person.


Listen, I ain't the same no more
I am expressing my conviction that I have undergone profound changes that have transformed my personality and identity irrevocably.


You'll find I have changed from before
Others who have known me in the past will find that I am no longer the same person that I used to be in ways that are striking and profound.


You ain't gonna find me
Those who may wish to seek me out or connect with me will be unable to do so due to the significant changes I have undergone in my personal identity.


Oh no, 'cause I'm not who I used to be
I am expressing my sense of sadness or loss at the profound changes to my personality and identity, which have left me feeling disconnected from my former self.


Oh no, no I ain't who I used to be
My personal transformation has been so complete that I am no longer the same person I once was in any significant respect, which is a source of great sadness or disorientation to me.


Oh no, oh no, oh no,
I am expressing my sense of deep sadness and mourning at the loss of my former self and the profound changes I have undergone in my personality and identity.


Oh no, oh no, oh no
This refrain serves as a mournful expression of my sense of loss at the changes I have undergone, which have left me feeling disconnected from my former self and uncertain about my future.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brittany Amber Howard, Heath Allen Fogg, Steven William Johnson, Zachary Riley Cockrell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@tammycarter4575

This song became my "I finally kicked the habit" celebration, Thank you Brittney

@amybeville1489

Crying- you hit that nail. Strong.

@joannaferris2232

❤️ hope it’s still kicked

@tracywilliams7187

lol lol ff

@billy_barry

When you're about to quit, remember why you started in the first place. Get angry. Get angry and HIT. IT. HARDER!

@dennington32

My getting into the habit song😂

@cherylbergey624

She's the coolest singer I've seen in a long time. Just love her voice.

@2nd_snideelf144

Just when you thought Rock really was dead, this group hits you in the face with some really great music. Thanks Alabama Shakes.

@ashrickley3168

The new, Jack White, solo stuff is great too.

@rebeccahopkins9522

They are singing and playing in the language of the soul. She moves me almost to tears sometimes. In the best way possible. Brittany is truly one in a million. The living embodiment of soul, blues and rock-n-roll. This is the band we NEED in the world. Now more than ever.

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