Reflection
Kyle Landry / Jerry Goldsmith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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, 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?
The song "Reflection" is a powerful expression of the feeling of being misunderstood and not being able to show one's true self to the world. The opening lines ("Look at me, you may think you see who I really am but you'll never know me") express the frustration and loneliness of not being truly seen or understood by others. The song's protagonist feels like she's wearing a mask every day and playing a part, and that she can fool the world with this act but not her heart. She longs to be able to show the world who she really is and to be loved for it.
The chorus of the song centers around the lyrics "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?" The singer is looking into a mirror and seeing someone who doesn't feel like her true self. She longs for her reflection to show who she really is inside, rather than the mask she wears every day.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more determined to show the world who she really is. She sings, "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." She believes that she has a heart that must be free to fly and that she burns with a need to know the reason why.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the longing to be seen and loved for who we really are, rather than the masks we wear in order to fit in with the expectations of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
Directing attention towards oneself
You may think you see
Others may have a perception of you
Who I really am
True identity of the person
But you'll never know me
Others cannot fully understand and know a person
Every day
Referring to daily routine
It's as if I play a part
Putting on a facade or acting
Now I see
Coming to a realization
If I wear a mask
Hiding true emotions and identity
I can fool the world
Others can be deceived by the facade
But I cannot fool my heart
The true self cannot be hidden from oneself
Who is that girl I see
Looking into the mirror and questioning own identity
Staring straight back at me?
An intense gaze or self-reflection
When will my reflection show
Yearning to reveal true self to the world
Who I am inside?
The person's true self that is hidden
I am now
In present moment
In a world where I
Living in a society that influences people
Have to hide my heart
Emotions and true self are suppressed
And what I believe in
Personal values and beliefs
But somehow
Despite the difficulties
I will show the world
Desire to reveal true self to others
What's inside my heart
True emotions and beliefs
And be loved for who I am
Desire to be accepted and loved for true self
Why is my reflection
Questioning identity in the reflection
Someone I don't know?
Feeling disconnected from oneself
Must I pretend that I'm
Feeling forced to hide true self
Someone else for all time?
Living life as someone else permanently
There's a heart that must be
Highlighting the importance of emotions
Free to fly
Desire to express emotions freely
That burns with a need to know
Strong curiosity and yearning for knowledge
The reason why
The purpose or meaning behind things
Why must we all conceal
Questioning the need to hide true selves
What we think, how we feel?
Emotions and thoughts are natural and should be expressed
Must there be a secret me
Hiding true self and identity
I'm forced to hide?
Feeling obligated to hide true self
I won't pretend that I'm
Choosing to reveal true self
Someone else for all time
Living as someone else permanently
When will my reflection show
Hope to reveal true self to others
Who I am inside?
The true self that desires to be revealed
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company
Written by: DAVID ZIPPEL, MATTHEW WILDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DGuadalupePerez
the lyrics if anyone else wants them :)
Look at me,
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 family'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 thought I've tried.
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
@SheetMusicBoss
A total Disney classic initially sung by the amazing Lea Salonga! Love it so much.
Grab the sheets here and get in your feels w/ it: https://www.musicnotes.com/l/gzxhJ
@TheLakeEffect
Next I wonder if you could do “Perfect World” by Tom Jones from “The Emperors New Groove”
@Synth-Wave29
This song really makes you feel at peace... it's like your able to find your true self...
@jesusfernandez931
Peace of art
@jamesbennett9620
It isn’t a song. Songs have lyrics to be song. This is a piano piece. Join me and saying this several times piano piece piano piece, piano piece piano piece.
Songs have lyrics to the song.
@SheetMusicBoss
in all fairness James, this song does have lyrics, they're just not audible in the piano arrangement
@Synth-Wave29
To be fair, I should have been more clear with my words in saying that this piano arrangement of the song makes you feel at peace.
@MrJayPuff
Im a horrible monster
@realtheo6882
It's one of my disney favorites. The cover is so incredibly beautiful. Thank you so much for the arrangement.
@ethanelder984
One of my absolute favorite Disney songs! You definitely did it justice!