Reflection
Jim Brickman Lyrics


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Look at me you may think you see
Who I really am but you'll never know me
Every day it's as if I play a part
Now I see if I wear a mask
I can fool the world but I cannot fool my heart

Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

I am now in a world where I
Have to hide my heart and what I believe in
But somehow I will show the world
What's inside my heart and be loved for who I am

Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me?
Why is my reflection someone I don't know?

Must I pretend that I'm someone else for all time?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

There's a heart that must be free to fly
That burns with a need to know the reason why

Why must we all conceal what we think and how we feel?
Must there be a secret me I'm forced to hide?
I won't pretend that I'm someone else for all time




When will my reflection show who I am inside?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?

Overall Meaning

The song "Reflection" by Jim Brickman is about the struggle to be authentic and true to oneself in a world where it seems easier to hide behind a facade. The lyrics reflect the internal battles of a person who feels they must wear a mask to fit in with society's expectations. The line "Every day it's as if I play a part" captures this feeling of performing for others, while the following line "I can fool the world but I cannot fool my heart" portrays the deep sense of dishonesty that comes with pretending to be someone you are not.


The repeated question throughout the song "Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me?" shows the search for one's true identity and the frustration of not feeling seen or understood. The line "Must I pretend that I'm someone else for all time?" is a plea to be accepted for who they are, not who they are expected to be. In the final verses, the song becomes more assertive, with the singer declaring that they refuse to hide their true self any longer and will show the world who they are inside.


Line by Line Meaning

Look at me you may think you see
People may see me, but they do not really know me


Who I really am but you'll never know me
People cannot truly know who I am


Every day it's as if I play a part
I feel like I have to pretend to be someone I am not every day


Now I see if I wear a mask
I have realized that I am hiding my true self


I can fool the world but I cannot fool my heart
I may be able to deceive others, but I cannot deceive myself


Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me?
I am questioning my own identity


When will my reflection show who I am inside?
I want people to see my true self


I am now in a world where I
I am existing in a world that requires me to


Have to hide my heart and what I believe in
keep my true emotions and beliefs hidden


But somehow I will show the world
I have hope that I will eventually be able to reveal to others


What's inside my heart and be loved for who I am
my true self and be accepted for it


Why is my reflection someone I don't know?
I am still unsure of my own identity


Must I pretend that I'm someone else for all time?
Do I have to continue to hide my true self forever?


When will my reflection show who I am inside?
I am still searching for a way to reveal my authentic self


There's a heart that must be free to fly
I have a free-spirited heart that wants to soar and be free


That burns with a need to know the reason why
I have a desire to understand my purpose and reason for being


Why must we all conceal what we think and how we feel?
Why do we feel the need to hide our true thoughts and emotions?


Must there be a secret me I'm forced to hide?
Do I need to continue to keep a part of myself hidden?


I won't pretend that I'm someone else for all time
I have made a decision to stop pretending to be someone I am not forever


When will my reflection show who I am inside?
I still hope to find a way to reveal my true self to the world


When will my reflection show who I am inside?
I continue to search for a way to reveal my authentic self




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES MERRILL BRICKMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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