Wilder was one-half of the Greenwich Village folk group Matthew & Peter in the 1970s. In 1978 he moved to Los Angeles and sang for television commercials and backup for Rickie Lee Jones and Bette Midler.
Wilder's first album, I Don't Speak the Language (1983), reached number 49 on the Billboard chart, fueled by "Break My Stride", which reached number 5 on the singles chart. His second album, Bouncin' Off the Walls (1984), was a commercial failure.
Wilder continued his career as a songwriter and producer. His work includes producing the No Doubt's multi-platinum album Tragic Kingdom (1995). He lent his singing voice to the character of Ling and was nominated for an Academy Award for Original Music Score (along with David Zippel and Jerry Goldsmith) for his work on the Disney film Mulan (1998).
On Broadway, Wilder has once again paired with Zippel to provide the music and lyrics for Princesses, a musical comedy update of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel A Little Princess. The production opened on Broadway in November 2006.
Reflection
Matthew Wilder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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?
Lyrics By YUPIN BTP
The song "Reflection" by Matthew Wilder is a powerful ballad that speaks to the universal experience of struggling with one's identity and the expectations placed upon us by our families and society. The song's narrator, a young woman, laments that she will never be the perfect bride or daughter, and wonders if she is meant to play the part that has been assigned to her. As the song progresses, she realizes that the only way to truly be herself is to break away from the expectations that are weighing her down, even if that means disappointing her family.
The line "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me?" speaks to the feeling of being disconnected from oneself and not recognizing the person in the mirror. The singer feels like she is putting on a performance for the world, and that her true self is buried beneath layers of societal expectations and familial obligations. She longs for the day when her reflection will show who she truly is inside, and when she can live freely and authentically.
Overall, "Reflection" is a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever felt like they are living a life that doesn't quite fit them. It encourages listeners to embrace their true selves, even if that means going against the expectations of those around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me
Directing attention towards the singer, signaling the importance of the message that will be conveyed
I will never pass for a perfect bride
Acknowledging the singer's flaws and imperfections, particularly in the context of societal expectations of women
Or a perfect daughter
Further outlining the singer's awareness of her lack of conformity with cultural norms and standards
Can it be / I'm not meant to play this part?
Questioning the assumed roles and expectations placed on the singer based on her gender and family background
Now I see / That if I were truly to be myself / I would break my fam'ly's heart
Recognizing the potential consequences of challenging the status quo and going against traditional expectations set by the singer's family and culture
Who is that girl I see / Staring straight / Back at me?
Reflecting on the singer's sense of self and identity, and questioning how it aligns with societal expectations
Why is my reflection someone / I don't know?
Expressing confusion and discomfort with the identity being reflected back by society and culture, particularly in regards to gender roles
Somehow I cannot hide / Who I am / Though I've tried
Acknowledging the difficulty and struggle of trying to conceal or change one's true identity to fit societal expectations
When will my reflection show / Who I am inside?
Posing a poignant question about the journey of self-discovery and acceptance, and the desire to be seen and valued for one's true self
When will my reflection show / Who I am inside?
Repeating the question for emphasis and impact, underscoring the importance and urgency of this personal quest for the singer
Contributed by Ella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@xudi3412
THANK YOU!!!!!
@claudiamanfra1869
Que Hermosa Melodia!! Y maravillosa interpretación!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ podria ser Luna Azul?????🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@bettyir4302
Lovely.
@heldersavir22
Very beautiful ❤
@Lana_Vu
Tuyệt... chơi bài Adieu Sois Heureuse ,và bài Les Valse De Vienne 😍
@jilldowling2349
Beautiful ❤
@vicentesilvestri2272
👏👏👌
@deat3321
Thank you so much! This is beautiful! I'll see if I can post a cover in 1-2 weeks
@deat3321
seems harder than I anticipated since I have to pay mindful to the harmonies used so I'm only at first page, but if I rush it, I think I can make it at 3 days.
Timestamp for reference on dynamics;
@deat3321
0:30
0:45