Reflection
No Alternative Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So what is going on and how'd it take so long for you to realize your reflection looks all wrong? And even though you're down, you better stand up straight cause you can't move ahead livin a life you hate.
She was the one. The girl that all the guys were dreamin of. She played the part. The hair, the eyes, the smile, the empty heart. She never thought that bein cool meant bein taught a new way to live. And now she asks herself...
What is going on and how'd it take so long for you to realize your reflection looks all wrong? You might thing you're in too deep, but it's never too late to try to rearrange your life, but she'll just sit alone and cry.
"Reflection" by No Alternative is a poignant song that sheds light on the theme of self-discovery and the importance of living life on one's own terms. The song begins by introducing a character who seems to have everything - the car, the looks, the popularity, and the academic success. However, he is leaving his home to attend school, and it becomes apparent that he is not content with the life he is leading. He has been playing a part that his father taught him to fake, and he has never truly wanted to play the game.
In the second verse, we meet another character - a girl who is admired by all the boys, but she too is unhappy. She realizes that being "cool" does not equate to living an authentic life. Both these characters struggle with self-awareness and the courage to confront their true reflections. The chorus resounds with the question "what is going on and how'd it take so long for you to realize your reflection looks all wrong?" The song cautions against getting too deep in a life that one hates, and urges the characters (and listeners) to make changes before it's too late.
The song is a reminder that often in life, we get caught up in performing roles that society has prescribed for us, and we lose our true selves in the process. It urges us not to wait until it's too late to pursue the life we truly want to live.
Line by Line Meaning
He had it all. The car, the look, the girl, the plaque on the wall.
He possessed everything he ever wanted; the car, the looks, the girl, and the recognition.
He was goin away. Leavin his home to go to school in the fall.
He was all set to leave home in autumn to go to school.
He always played the part his father taught him to fake.
He always pretended to be someone he was not as his father advised him to.
It doesn't matter if you're good at the game if you never even wanted to play.
Being skilled at something only matters when you have an interest in doing it; otherwise, it's a meaningless pursuit.
So what is going on and how'd it take so long for you to realize your reflection looks all wrong?
What's happening, and why did it take so long to recognize that life was not moving in the right direction?
And even though you're down, you better stand up straight cuz you can't move ahead livin a life you hate.
Even though you feel defeated, you need to stand up tall and move forward because living a life you dislike is not an option.
She was the one. The girl that all the guys were dreamin of.
She was the one girl everyone wished to be with.
She played the part. The hair, the eyes, the smile, the empty heart.
She pretended to be a happy, pleasant girl with beauty and charm, but in reality, she was empty inside.
She never thought that bein cool meant bein taught a new way to live.
She didn't realize that her willingness to fit in and be considered 'cool' would require her to change her behavior and attitude.
And now she asks herself...
Now she questions herself.
You might think you're in too deep, but it's never too late to try to rearrange your life, but she'll just sit alone and cry.
You might believe your situation is irreversible, but it's always feasible to attempt to alter your life. However, she will sit alone and weep instead of making a bold move.
And now you see the truth, and you know just what to do.
Now you recognize the reality and exactly what you need to do.
You'll change yourself and live your life the way you wanted to.
You will transform yourself and live life according to your wishes.
What is going on and how'd it take so long for you to realize your reflection looks all wrong.
What's happening, and why did it take so long to recognize that life was not moving in the right direction?
Contributed by Kaylee I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.