True Identity
Pepper Coyote Lyrics

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You might be thinkin' you know who I am
You might be thinkin' you got me pinned down this time
But I am not so sure

You might be thinkin' you know my name
You might be thinkin' I got no hide-away this time
I'm tellin' you to think again

How did I find myself so far away?
Take a look, take a picture
Are you sure you see the real me?

Many names
Many faces
Many games
But only one true identity
Turn away
Leave the past behind
And some day
You may find your true identity

Maybe I was like you once
Maybe I could live in certainty inside
A mind that's been made up

Maybe I can't give it up
Too late to turn and defy what is inside
I think we'd better look again

How did I find myself so far away?
Take a look, take a picture
Are you sure you see the real me?

Many names
Many faces
Many games
But only one true identity
Turn away
Leave the past behind
And some day
You may find your true identity

All the days I've spent inside
I'll find another way to hide
All these thoughts I cannot escape in time

Only one way to break free
To accept the other me
All our voices will rise, again

Many names
Many faces
Many games
But only one true identity
Turn away
Leave the past behind

And some day
You may find your true identity

Overall Meaning

Pepper Coyote's "True Identity" is a song that tells the story of a person who feels they are not fully understood by those around them, and that there is more to their identity than meets the eye. Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the idea that people often make assumptions about others based on what they see on the surface, but that those assumptions can be misleading. The lyrics encourage listeners to step back and consider different perspectives, and to be open to the idea that there may be more to someone than what first meets the eye.

The song's bridge, "Many names, Many faces, Many games, But only one true identity," is particularly powerful in its message. It hints at the idea that people often put on different masks or play different roles in their day-to-day lives, but that there is always one core aspect of their identity that remains constant. The song also touches on the idea of personal growth and change, acknowledging that the past can be left behind and that it is possible to find one's true identity by accepting and embracing different parts of oneself.

Overall, "True Identity" is a reflective and introspective song that encourages listeners to consider the complexity of both their own identity and the identities of those around them.

Line by Line Meaning

You might be thinkin' you know who I am
You may have an idea of who I am

You might be thinkin' you got me pinned down this time
You may think you have me figured out this time

But I am not so sure
But I am uncertain

You might be thinkin' you know my name
You may think you know my name

You might be thinkin' I got no hide-away this time
You may think I have nowhere to hide this time

I'm tellin' you to think again
I am advising you to rethink

How did I find myself so far away?
How did I get so lost?

Take a look, take a picture
Observe and document

Are you sure you see the real me?
Are you certain you see who I truly am?

Many names
I have been called many names

Many faces
I have worn many faces