The One I’ll Never Be

They told me I should settle down

Pick a lane, stick around

Get a job that sounds impressive

Learn to smile when I’m offended

Say the right things, shake their hands

Make a five-year master plan

Wake up early, chase the money

Act like any of this is funny

Maybe I’m supposed to want it

Maybe I just missed the memo

Everybody’s got an answer

For a life they’ll never know

I could cut my hair, clean up my act

Wear the right clothes, learn all the facts

Say “yes, sir,” keep my head down

Build a little life in a little town

I could be everything you want from me

Picture-perfect, easy to believe

But if that’s who I’m supposed to be

Then that’s the one I’ll never be

They say, “You’ll understand someday”

Funny how they always say

Someday looks a lot like giving

Up the things that make life worth living

Maybe I don’t want the ladder

Maybe climbing doesn’t matter

Maybe I’d rather make some noise

Than spend my whole life being good

You can call it wasted potential

You can say I’ll change my mind

But I’d rather disappoint you

Than leave myself behind

I could cut my hair, clean up my act

Wear the right clothes, learn all the facts

Say “yes, sir,” keep my head down

Build a little life in a little town

I could be everything you want from me

Picture-perfect, easy to believe

But if that’s who I’m supposed to be

Then that’s the one I’ll never be

No, I don’t need fixing

No, I’m not confused

I heard every warning

I just disagree with you

Keep your expectations

Keep your guarantee

If growing up means giving in

Then don’t grow up with me

You want quiet?

Not me.

You want normal?

Not me.

You want someone

Who’ll nod and agree?

Go find him.

I won’t cut my hair, clean up my act

I won’t spend my whole life looking back

I’ll say what I mean, I’ll make some noise

Turns out I still get to make that choice

I won’t be everything you want from me

I’m done pretending that I need to be

So keep the life you planned for me

That’s the one

That’s the one

That’s the one I’ll never be

Maybe I’ll regret it

Maybe you were right

…Nah.

I think I’ll be alright.