*Snow White*
*Aurora*
*Cinderella*
*Ariel*
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*Snow White*
*Aurora*
*Cinderella*
*Ariel*
*Belle*
*Jasmine*
*Pocahontas*
*Mulan*
*Tiana*
*Rapunzel*
Reflection
Disney Princess Lyrics
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I will never pass for a perfect bride
Or a perfect daughter
Can it be
I'm not meant to play this part?
Now I see
That if I were truly to be myself
I would break my fam'ly's heart
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight
Back at me?
Why is my reflection someone
I don't know?
Somehow I cannot hide
Who I am
Though I've tried
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
The song "Reflection" from Disney Princess's movie "Mulan" is a powerful ballad that speaks to the emotional struggle of revealing one's true self. The lyrics capture the sentiment of "not fitting in" and the fear of disappointing loved ones by not conforming to their expectations. The opening lines, "I will never pass for a perfect bride / Or a perfect daughter" highlight the societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and norms. The singer questions her own identity and wonders if she is meant to play a certain part in society. She comes to the realization that being herself may come at the cost of breaking her family's heart, which further highlights the struggle between fitting in and being true to oneself.
The chorus, "Who is that girl I see / Staring straight / Back at me? / Why is my reflection someone / I don't know?" emphasizes the theme of not recognizing oneself and the need for self-discovery. The line, "Somehow I cannot hide / Who I am / Though I've tried" speaks to the futility of suppressing one's true self and the eventual need to embrace oneself fully. The song ends with the question, "When will my reflection show / Who I am inside?" which leaves the listener with a sense of hope and the journey towards self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
Acknowledge my presence; pay attention to me
I will never pass for a perfect bride
I cannot conform to society's standards of the ideal wife
Or a perfect daughter
Nor can I adhere to the expectations of the perfect offspring
Can it be
Is it possible
I'm not meant to play this part?
That I was never destined to fulfill the roles society has pre-assigned me
Now I see
Upon deeper reflection and contemplation, I realize
That if I were truly to be myself
If I were to display my true, genuine self
I would break my fam'ly's heart
It would cause great disappointment and sadness for my family
Who is that girl I see
Whose face is reflected in the mirror
Staring straight
Looking directly
Back at me?
Into my eyes
Why is my reflection someone
Why does the image of myself that I see
I don't know?
Appear foreign and unfamiliar
Somehow I cannot hide
Despite my efforts, I cannot conceal
Who I am
My true self
Though I've tried
Even though I have attempted to do so
When will my reflection show
When will my true self be visible
Who I am inside?
Not just as a reflection, but as an outward and authentic existence
When will my reflection show
When will my genuine self be mirrored
Who I am inside?
When will I be able to confidently display my inner self to the world
Contributed by Sebastian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.