I Was Made This Way

They told me I should hide it,

They told me I should change,

But every little scar I carry

Put the fire in my veins.

So turn the lights up higher,

Let everybody see,

I spent my whole life searching—

Now I know who I should be.

I used to read between the lines,

Wondering what they wanted me to be,

Cutting pieces from my soul

Just to fit their fantasy.

But I don’t need their permission,

I don’t need their guarantee,

There’s a million ways to shine

And this one belongs to me.

I won’t apologize,

I won’t minimize,

Everything that makes me different

Is the reason I’m alive.

I was made this way,

Every color, every shade,

Every broken little piece

That I was taught to be ashamed.

I was made this way,

And I’m never gonna change,

If you came here feeling lost,

Come and stand with me today.

Raise your hands, let your heart say—

I was made this way.

Maybe they don’t understand you,

Maybe they never will,

Maybe you’ve been fighting battles

That you’re keeping hidden still.

But there’s nothing wrong with dreaming,

There’s nothing wrong with you,

Don’t let somebody else’s fear

Decide what you should do.

You don’t have to compromise,

You don’t have to disguise

The person staring in the mirror—

Let them finally come alive.

I was made this way,

Every color, every shade,

Every broken little piece

That I was taught to be ashamed.

I was made this way,

And I’m never gonna change,

If you came here feeling lost,

Come and stand with me today.

Raise your hands, let your heart say—

I was made this way.

Made this way!

Made this way!

Turn it up and let it play!

Made this way!

Made this way!

You were never born to fade!

No more hiding in the shadows,

No more living someone else’s life,

No more asking for acceptance

From somebody who can’t see your light.

This is your body,

This is your heartbeat,

This is your story,

So make it loud!

WHO ARE YOU?

I’M WHO I WAS MEANT TO BE!

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

EVERYTHING THEY SAID I COULDN’T BE!

I was made this way,

Every color, every shade,

Every dream inside your heart

That you’ve been too afraid to say.

I was made this way,

And I’m never gonna change,

You don’t have to hide anymore—

Come and celebrate your name!

Raise your hands, let your heart say—

I was made this way!

Turn the whole world upside down—

I was made this way!

If they tell you you’re too much,

Tell them that’s exactly why you came!

You don’t have to be somebody else.

You don’t have to earn your right to exist.

You don’t have to hide.

You were made this way.