With a vocal delivery that is at once aggressive, haunting and melodic, Akre's style of female rock-vox is comparable, yet superior, to the likes of 80s power-vixens Pat Benetar or Lita Ford, and she is one of the few women to carry that strong vocal flavour into the 1990s with the advent of grunge and the rise in popularity of alternative rock.
Since Goodness disbanded in 1998, she has contributed vocals to the project band The Rockfords (which included Pearl Jam's Mike McCready on guitar), and released two solo albums, 'Home and 'Invitation', the latter the first release on her own record label, 'My Way Records'. As of 2007, she's currently in the studio working on her third solo release.
Akre's solo work is a change of direction, with a more stripped back and soulful approach broadening her style as a musician.
Carrie Akre's official website
Reflection
Carrie Akre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No I think that's wrong cause I've seen it's face
Staring back at me
Looking so familiar
I try to forgive but I just can't forget
The thing I don't want is this pain and regret
It's going to end up replacing
See there's a sad reflection that stares at me
With wounded eyes and a lack of sleep
It's my voice I hear saying words to keep
Don't give up me
Should've known better but couldn't is my best
I spend all my time crying over the rest
But what's it going to get me
If I don't save myself
This is the lesson
Now this is the time
To pick up what's left
Hold close what is mine
What I have here is oh so amazing
Still there's a sad reflection that stares at me
With wounded eyes and a lack of sleep
It's my voice I hear saying words to keep
Don't give up me
Hold over baby the rains gonna come
The fear that holds on gonna all come undone
Don't you ever forget it
And the thing I don't want is this pain and regret
I've spent all my time crying over the rest
But what's it going to get me if I don't save myself
See there's a sad reflection that stares at me
With wounded eyes and a lack of sleep
It's my voice I hear saying words to keep
Don't give up me
Carrie Akre's song "Reflection" dives deep into the theme of forgiveness, regret, and self-realization. The song starts with the line 'Hate only comes from an outside place,' but Carrie rebuffs this, acknowledging that hate can come from within as well. She sings about trying to forgive but not being able to forget the pain and regret that plagues her, which has been slowly replacing all her good memories. In the next lines, she describes a 'sad reflection' that she sees in herself, which has a wounded look, lacks sleep, and speaks to her, asking her not to give up.
She further sings about the lesson she has learned, the need to pick up what is left, and holding close what is hers. She realizes that what she has is 'oh so amazing,' but there remains a sad reflection that still stares back at her, and it's her own voice that she hears, telling her not to give up. Akre emphasizes the need to hold on and not give up, even when the rains come and the fear that grips us comes undone. The song ends with a final acknowledgment of self-love, the importance of saving oneself, and not letting pain and regret consume us.
Line by Line Meaning
Hate only comes from an outside place
Sometimes people think that hate comes from outside, but that's not always true.
No I think that's wrong cause I've seen it's face
The singer believes that hate can come from within oneself.
Staring back at me
The hate the singer is talking about is personal and intense.
Looking so familiar
The artist has experienced this feeling of hate before.
I try to forgive but I just can't forget
The artist has tried to let go of their negative emotions, but it's not easy for them.
The thing I don't want is this pain and regret
The singer is tired of feeling the pain and regret associated with holding onto negative emotions.
It's going to end up replacing
Holding onto negative emotions will eventually overshadow the positive memories.
All my good memories
Memories of happier times will be slowly replaced by negative ones.
See there's a sad reflection that stares at me
The artist sees a reflection of their negative feelings that reminds them of their pain.
With wounded eyes and a lack of sleep
The artist is visibly affected by their negative emotions and is losing sleep over it.
It's my voice I hear saying words to keep
The singer is reminding themselves not to give up despite their struggles.
Don't give up me
The artist is urging themselves not to lose hope or faith in themselves.
Should've known better but couldn't is my best
The singer acknowledges that they made a mistake, but they did the best they could with the knowledge and resources they had at the time.
I spend all my time crying over the rest
The singer is consumed by their negative emotions and can't stop dwelling on the past.
But what's it going to get me
The singer questions the usefulness of their excessive worrying and self-blame.
If I don't save myself
The artist recognizes that it's up to them to take responsibility for their own emotional well-being.
This is the lesson
The artist has learned something important from their experiences.
Now this is the time
The singer realizes that they shouldn't waste any more time wallowing in negative emotions.
To pick up what's left
The singer needs to focus on what they still have in their life that's positive.
Hold close what is mine
The artist wants to cherish what they have before it's too late.
What I have here is oh so amazing
The artist recognizes the positive aspects of their life and wants to appreciate them more.
Hold over baby the rains gonna come
The artist believes that after a period of darkness, there will be a brighter future.
The fear that holds on gonna all come undone
The singer thinks that their fear will eventually be overcome.
Don't you ever forget it
The artist wants to remind themselves (and perhaps others) to stay positive.
And the thing I don't want is this pain and regret
The singer is motivated to let go of their negative emotions to avoid further pain and regret.
See there's a sad reflection that stares at me
The singer is still dealing with their negative feelings and can't escape them.
With wounded eyes and a lack of sleep
The negative emotions are taking a toll on the singer.
It's my voice I hear saying words to keep
The artist is trying to motivate themselves to stay positive and not give up.
Don't give up me
The artist is urging themselves not to lose hope or faith in themselves.
Writer(s): Carrie Akre
Contributed by Riley A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.