Performance
The Priestess Lyrics
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As I lie here trying to attain
Inside outside I'm nothing
But the more I see through the more I have to gain
If at first you don't succeed its normal
But the second time you're expected to perform
We perform
Give me a reason to stop asking
I know that some things can't be mine
Inside outside I'm nothing
And the layers crumble one piece at a time
if you expect me to go out there and shine every night
You know there's something about that that just isn't right
We perform
Stand up, listen, ill tell you where we went wrong
"The Priestess's song Performance" is an introspective song about the pressure to perform and the quest for happiness. The song begins with the controversial line "some say happiness is a burden", which sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer of the song is lying down, trying to attain happiness but feeling that both inside and outside, she has nothing. However, she believes that the more she sees through, the more she will gain. The first verse is an expression that material goods do not necessarily lead to happiness, a common theme in the human psyche.
In the second verse, the lyricist talks about how failure can be expected, but perfection is expected the second time around. The pressure to perform is ubiquitous at all levels of society, be it sports, work, or the arts. The lyricist doesn't shy away from stating the fact that the pressure to perform is expected, and we strive for excellence, even if it takes a toll on us. The song asserts that vulnerability is an essential part of the creative process, and the process of creation does not always lead to perfection. The artist can share where they failed, and the audience can learn from it. The song's recurring theme is the group's performance, which is where we share our insecurities and learn from each other.
Overall, “Performance” is a song about trying to find meaning in the notion of performing, searching for happiness, and the pressure to succeed that comes with it. The Priestess encourages us to acknowledge failure openly and to not overlook the importance of learning from them to grow and progress artistically.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say happiness is a burden
According to some people, feeling happy can be a heavy weight to bear
As I lie here trying to attain
While I'm lying down and attempting to achieve some goal
Inside outside I'm nothing
Despite my outer appearance, internally, I feel empty and lacking
But the more I see through the more I have to gain
However, the more I understand and become aware, the more I can potentially benefit from that knowledge
If at first you don't succeed its normal
It's typical for individuals to experience failure initially
But the second time you're expected to perform
However, when attempting the same task twice, there's often an expectation of better results
We perform
We put on an act or put effort into something
Stand up, listen, ill tell you where we went wrong
Rise from your seat, pay attention, and I'll explain our mistakes
Give me a reason to stop asking
Provide me with sufficient justification to cease inquiring
I know that some things can't be mine
I'm aware that certain things are unattainable for me
And the layers crumble one piece at a time
Each layer of my being is collapsing slowly and gradually
if you expect me to go out there and shine every night
If you anticipate that I'll perform at my best every evening
You know there's something about that that just isn't right
There's something misaligned or off-kilter about that expectation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL WATCHORN, MICHAEL DYBALL, MICHAEL HEPPNER, VINCENT NUDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind