A trailblazer in the Philippine indie scene, Reese has brought her music to international shores like Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, and the USA. “A Song About Space” from her debut album “Arigato, Internet!” was chosen by NASA for their historic #LaunchAmerica campaign videos.
In 2018, she opened for Paramore's Tour Four and garnered praise from frontwoman Hayley Williams. She also opened for Oh Wonder’s Ultralife Tour in Manila, and has shared the stage with artists such as The Temper Trap, LANY, Purity Ring and Explosions in the Sky.
She takes slices of life and spin them into head-bopping melodies and heartwarming confessionals. With her signature wit and vocal looping prowess, Reese commands the stage and connects with people who appreciate general weirdness, injected into pop earworms.
In May 2021, she released her highly anticipated sophomore album, Time Well Spent.
Tenderfoot
Reese Lansangan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No I am not quite hurting
But I think that I'm in pain
I look at photographs of myself
And they insist there's nothing wrong
But if there isn't
Why am I writing this song
I was told to love my body
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
No it's not what people see
It is the mind inside of me that weighs me down
So each day I'll try
To do it better
The world has a mountain of its problems
And your worries start to feel very small
But there's a kid locked in the toilet
All racked with guilt
Don't tell me that doesn't matter to you at all
I was told to love my body
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
No it's not what people see
It is the soul inside of me that keeps me whole
So each day I'll try
To do it better
I'm so afraid to talk about it
Others might not understand
The way I don't know how it's like
To be
Somebody else
Oh Lord, I pray
That they won't take me in my sleep
Oh don't we all
Have our demons
Running deep
I saw a blind man on the streets the other day
I swear, oh how I wished I could have rescued him away
And with my eyes, oh I was crying
Down on my knees
And everything has changed for me
I was told to love my body
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
No it's not what people see
It is the heart inside of me that makes a man
So each day I'll try
I was told to love my body
Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
Oh I have everything I need
From a sound mind, to working feet
They make me whole
So each day I'll try
To do it better
To do it better
To do it better
In "Tenderfoot," Reese Lansangan sings about the burdens and struggles that she has been carrying lately; while she is not exactly in pain, she feels weighed down. She takes a look at her old photographs, but they do not seem to show any issues. She questions why she still feels a certain way, despite what others might see. She then sings about how she was told to love her body, but for her, it is not just about appearances, it's about the mind that is inside her that weighs her down. Lansangan admits that she tries to be better every day, despite the problems.
In the next verse, Lansangan talks about the world's pile of problems, and how we can become more self-centered, putting our worries at the forefront of our minds while forgetting the struggles of others. She says that selfishness is detrimental to ourselves and others, and it is only through connecting with others and being empathetic that we can become more human. Lansangan concludes with the hope that she can continue to improve and grow each day, finding solace in her mind, heart, and body.
Overall, "Tenderfoot" is an honest and introspective song that speaks to the challenges of being a human being, and the importance of loving ourselves and others, despite the difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel a weight that's heavier these days
I am carrying a burden that has become increasingly difficult to bear
No I am not quite hurting
I am not in physical pain
But I think that I'm in pain
I am experiencing emotional pain
I look at photographs of myself
I review historical images of myself
And they insist there's nothing wrong
The images suggest that I appear happy and healthy
But if there isn't
Despite appearances, something isn't right
Why am I writing this song
I am expressing my discomfort and seeking understanding
I was told to love my body
It was suggested that I appreciate my physical self
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
I must care for my body, as it is not replaceable
No it's not what people see
My body is more than just surface-level appearance
It is the mind inside of me that weighs me down
My thoughts and worries are the source of my discomfort
So each day I'll try
I will make an effort to improve my mental state
To do it better
To improve my mindset and overall mental health
The world has a mountain of its problems
There are many issues and challenges present in the world
And your worries start to feel very small
In comparison to global issues, my own troubles seem insignificant
But there's a kid locked in the toilet
A child is in distress and confined in a restroom
All racked with guilt
They feel intense remorse for something
Don't tell me that doesn't matter to you at all
I believe that other people care about this injustice and want to help
I'm so afraid to talk about it
I have reservations about discussing my own issues
Others might not understand
I fear that those around me will not comprehend my struggles
The way I don't know how it's like
I am unable to accurately describe my situation
To be somebody else
To live a life other than my own
Oh Lord, I pray
I appeal to a higher power for support
That they won't take me in my sleep
I am concerned about dying unexpectedly
Oh don't we all
This is a common fear
Have our demons
We each have our own personal struggles or challenges
Running deep
These issues are deeply ingrained and permeate our lives
I saw a blind man on the streets the other day
I witnessed a man who was visually impaired
I swear, oh how I wished I could have rescued him away
I desperately wanted to assist him
And with my eyes, oh I was crying
I was moved to tears by the situation
Down on my knees
I was emotionally overwhelmed
And everything has changed for me
My perspective has been altered
It is the heart inside of me that makes a man
My emotional depth and compassion define my character
Oh I have everything I need
I possess all that is necessary in life
From a sound mind, to working feet
I have mental and physical capabilities
They make me whole
These attributes complete me as a person
So each day I'll try
I will work daily to live my best life
To do it better
To continuously improve my outlook and actions
To do it better
To strive for progress and development
To do it better
To work towards a better future
Writer(s): Maria Therese E. Lansangan
Contributed by Wyatt H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@angelamit7154
"Tenderfoot"
(feat. Josh Villena)
I feel a weight that's heavier these days
No, I am not quite hurting, but I think that I'm in pain
I look at photographs of myself and they insist
There's nothing wrong but if there isn't
Why am I writing this song?
I was told to love my body
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
No, it's not what people see, it is the mind inside of me that weighs me down
So each day I'll try to do it better
The world is a mountain of its problems
And your worries start to feel very small
But there is a kid locked in the toilet all wrecked with guilt
Don't tell me that doesn't matter to you at all
I was told to love my body
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
No, it's not what people see, it is the soul inside of me that keeps me whole
So each day I'll try to do it better
I'm so afraid to talk about it, others might not understand
The way I don't know how it's like to be somebody else
O' Lord, I pray that they won't take me in my sleep
But don't we all have our demons running deep
I saw a blind man on the streets the other day
I swear oh how I wish I could've rescued him away
But in my eyes oh I was crying down on my knees
And everything is changed for me
I was told to love my body
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
No, it's not what people see, it is the heart inside of me that makes a man
So each day I'll try
I was told to love my body
'Cause it's the only one that I'll ever get
I have everything I need from a sound mind
To working feet that make me whole
So each day I'll try to do it better
To do it better
To do it better
@reeselansangan
Huge thanks to my patrons for writing the lyrics that I've projected on the screen! I took their handwriting and created individual artworks for each slide. I'm happy I'm able to share this with you all. If you wanna be part of our AMAZING community and maybe be part of my next project, visit http://patreon.com/reeselansangan
@adarafrans9100
❤️❤️
@heartilyhandwritten
Thank youuu Reese for this! You made it even such a more beautiful reminder to love and just be more kinder to ourselves. Happy to be a part of SSS. 🧡
@alexadenisesalcor4871
Thank you for this song ❤️❤️❤️
@randomthoughts1366
To Ms. Reese, I want to say thank you for this song. I just happened to listen to it one day and it surprised me that this song put into words what I exactly feel. I allowed myself to cry during that day and this song somehow brought me comfort. It made me understand more the emotion that I am feeling. It's a healing song for me. <3 The last verse of your song gave me the encouragement I need and it makes me feel better.
@fullsuntrash3745
no one:
absolutely no one:
reese lansangan: touching the hearts of every single person with her songs like the underrated queen she is.
@dimpolreguindin2458
I love your songs Ms. Reese😊
@judekarlogobenciong304
I'm 26, but this song makes me feel like a baby wrapped in a soft, warm blanket, like a burrito.
@AnjelaEra
Same!!!
@anthonyphil4743
I'm 30 and I feel the same.