Center of attention once againThey don't understandThey don't understandThen they try to tell me who I amThey don't understandThey don't understandYou want a perfect picture to believe inThen you can't be looking for me thenI don't need to live by your rules, you don't control meUntil you've walked a mile in my shoes, you don't know meAnd I know, I know, I know you don't like itYou don't, you don't, you don't know where I've beenIt's my life so truth be told(I see you thinking but there's just one thing clearYou think you know but you don't have no ideaThink you know me but there's more to see my love)The same arguments time and time againAnd you watched them all happenBut they don't understandThinkin' you're the reason that it endsAnd he won't be back againBut they don't understand, noYou want a perfect picture to believe inThen you can't be looking for me thenI don't need to live by your rules, you don't control meUntil you've walked a mile in my shoes, you don't know meAnd I know, I know, I know you don't like itYou don't, you don't, you don't know where I've beenIt's my life so truth be toldYou don't know meThe girl you see in photographs is onlyA part of the one I am, don't judge me'Cause that's not reality and all I can beIs in love with who I'm becoming(Think you know me but there's more to see my loveYou think you know but you don't have no idea)I don't need to live by your rules, you don't control meUntil you've walked a mile in my shoes, you don't know meAnd I know, I know, I know you don't like itYou don't, you don't, you don't know where I've beenIt's my life so truth be toldYou don't know meI don't need to live by your rules, you don't control meUntil you've walked a mile in my shoes, you don't know meAnd I know, I know, I know you don't like itYou don't, you don't, you don't know where I've beenIt's my life so truth be told(I see you thinking but there's just one thing clearYou think you know but you don't have no ideaThink you know me but there's more to see my love)
이 노래 이야기
화자는 타인의 평가와 판단에서 벗어나 자기 자신의 삶을 지키겠다고 선언한다. "They don't understand... Then they try to tell me who I am"이라는 구절은 끊임없이 재단당하는 상황에 대한 피로감을 드러낸다.
"I don't need to live by your rules, you don't control me / Until you've walked a mile in my shoes, you don't know me"라는 후렴은 겪어보지 않은 사람은 함부로 판단할 수 없다는 메시지를 강하게 전달한다. "The girl you see in photographs is only a part of the one I am"이라는 구절처럼, 겉으로 보이는 이미지와 실제 자신 사이의 간극을 분명히 하며 독립적인 태도를 강조한다.