Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
Reflection
Michael Crawford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
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 man 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
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?
In Michael Crawford's song Reflections, from the movie Mulan, the lyrics discuss the complex process of identity formation in a world that may not always accept an individual for who they truly are. The first verse addresses the concept of playing a role in everyday life, where an individual may not feel comfortable being their true selves. The lyrics suggest that one may don a figurative mask and fool the world, but that they cannot fool their own heart. The second verse acknowledges the challenge of living in a world where one must hide their true feelings, beliefs, and identity from others. But the singer of the song lacks the desire to pretend any longer and is set on being loved for who they are.
The chorus of the song brings the listener back to the idea of "reflection," as the singer wonders who the person in the mirror is and when they will show their true self to the world. The lyrics are a powerful testament to the difficulty and emotional turmoil that can arise when one's true self does not align with societal expectations. However, they also speak to the courage and resilience needed to overcome such challenges and be true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me you may think you see who I really am but you'll never know me
People may have an idea of who I am by my appearance, but they won't know the real me.
Every day it's as if I play a part
Every day I put on a show for others and pretend to be someone I'm not.
Now I see if I wear a mask I can fool the world but I cannot fool my heart
Even though I can deceive others by wearing a mask, I cannot deceive my own heart.
Who is that man I see staring straight back at me? When will my reflection show who I am inside?
I don't recognize the person I see when I look in the mirror; I'm waiting for my true self to be revealed.
Am now in a world where I have to hide my heart and what I believe in
I'm in a place where I must keep my true feelings concealed from others.
But somehow I will show the world what's inside my heart and be loved for who I am
Someday, I'll express my true self to the world, and they'll accept me for who I am.
Why is my reflection someone I don't know?
I don't recognize the reflection of myself that I see because I've been hiding my true self.
Must I pretend that I'm, someone else for all time?
Do I have to continue pretending to be someone else permanently?
There's a heart that must be free to fly, That burns with a need to know the reason why
My heart desires the freedom to explore and understand the reason for my existence.
I won't pretend that I'm someone else for all time, When will my reflection show who I am inside?
I refuse to keep pretending to be someone else; I'm waiting for my true self to be reflected.
When will my reflection show who I am inside?
When will I be able to reveal my true self to the world?
Contributed by Arianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.