By her third album in 1990, Anything Is Possible, Gibson’s chart fortunes were diminishing; only the lead single, the album’s title track, made any headway, peaking at #26. It would be her final U.S. top 40 entry. She shed the wholesome teen image for 1993’s Body, Mind, Soul, and later appeared in a Playboy magazine pictorial. Despite her diminished profile, another seven albums followed between 1995 and 2022. In 2006, she reached # 24 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart with "Say Goodbye,” a duet with Jordan Knight. Gibson has also had starring roles on Broadway and touring musicals, including playing Eponine in Les Misérables and Sandy in Grease, as well as television and independent film work.
Where I Wanna Be
Debbie Gibson Lyrics
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Going all the places where smiles greet me
Can't get it through my head
that I did nothing wrong
It would be easier if I had myself to blame
But it's pouring rain under my umbrella
[Chorus]
'round these streets by myself
Said "pretty girl don't look down"
But I could look no place else
The smiles, the bed, the telephone
And still I can't make him see
And I can't call this life my own
Cause I'm not where I want to be
Going out with the girls on a Saturday night
Reaching out to strangers
so I don't feel deeply moved
Yeah they're my friends and I like them alright
But they can't do the things that we used to do
So I've got to say that I miss you baby
[Chorus]
It's amazing how one little broken heart
Can radiate so much pain
Some guy looked at me and then he turned away
Saw my eyes sayin' I will never fall again
Don't look down
But I could look no place else
The smiles, the bed, the telephone
Still I can't make him see
I can't call my life my own
Cause I'm not where I want to be
I tried walking around,
By myself
Said "pretty girl don't look down"
But I could look no place else
The smiles, the bed, the telephone
Still I can't make him see
I can't call this life my own
Cause I'm not where I want to be
'round these streets by myself
Said "pretty girl don't look down"
But I could look no place else
The smiles, the bed, the telephone
And still I can't make him see
I can't call this life my own
Cause I'm not where I want to be
No, I'm not where I want to be
Oh no, no no
No, I'm not where I want to be
No, I'm not where I want to be
Oh no, I'm not where I want to be
No, I'm not where I want to be
No, I'm not where I want to be
No no, I'm not where I want to be
I tried walking around,
'round these streets by myself
Said "pretty girl don't look down"
But I could look no place else
The smiles, the bed, the telephone
And still I can't make him see
And I can't call this life my own
Cause I'm not where I want to be
The song "Where I Wanna Be" by Debbie Gibson talks about the struggle of moving on from a past relationship, even when the person knows they did nothing wrong. The first verse talks about how the person is trying to make themselves feel strong by talking themselves up and going to places where they feel welcomed, but no matter what, they can't escape their thoughts of the relationship. The chorus emphasizes this feeling of being stuck, unable to move on and find happiness in their current life. The second verse talks about how the person is trying to fill the void left by the relationship by going out with friends, but even that can't replace what they had with their ex.
Throughout the song, the person feels like they are not in control of their own life and can't find happiness until they are back in the arms of their ex. The bridge of the song emphasizes the pain that the person is feeling, how just one broken heart can cause so much pain and make them feel like they will never love again. Overall, "Where I Wanna Be" is a relatable song that emphasizes the feeling of being stuck in a past relationship and not being able to move on, even when you know it's what is best for you.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking all the talk that makes me feel strong
I use words to make myself feel confident
Going all the places where smiles greet me
I seek out places where people will be friendly to me
Can't get it through my head that I did nothing wrong
I struggle to understand that the breakup was not my fault
It would be easier if I had myself to blame
I wish I could take responsibility for the relationship ending
But it's pouring rain under my umbrella
Even though I'm trying to stay dry, I'm still hurting inside
I tried walking around, 'round these streets by myself
I attempted to go out alone and clear my mind
Said "pretty girl don't look down"
I tried to remind myself to stay positive
But I could look no place else
I couldn't distract myself from my pain
The smiles, the bed, the telephone
Everyday things remind me of our relationship
And still I can't make him see
I can't make my ex understand how I feel
And I can't call this life my own
My life feels incomplete without my ex in it
Cause I'm not where I want to be
I'm not happy with my current situation
Going out with the girls on a Saturday night
I try to have fun and forget my problems with my friends
Reaching out to strangers so I don't feel deeply moved
I try to avoid emotional connections with people I don't know well
Yeah they're my friends and I like them alright
I enjoy spending time with my friends, but it's not the same
But they can't do the things that we used to do
My friends can't replace my ex and the memories we shared
So I've got to say that I miss you baby
I'm still in love with my ex and I wish things were different
It's amazing how one little broken heart
My heartbreak feels all-consuming, even though it seems small to others
Can radiate so much pain
My emotional pain feels overwhelming
Some guy looked at me and then he turned away
I feel self-conscious and rejected by others
Saw my eyes sayin' I will never fall again
I'm hesitant to open up and fall in love again
I can't call this life my own
I feel like my life is incomplete without my ex
No, I'm not where I want to be
I'm unhappy with my current situation and wish things were different
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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