Song: “This is Me” from the movie The Greatest Showman (click here for lyrics)
Artisit: Keala Settle
Overall Message:
〉This song embodies what it means to accept yourself and to be strong for yourself when people drag you down. It also talks about how we all have emotional damage and scars but that is what makes us unique.
Analyzing the Lyrics:
〉Stereotypical Feminine Traits
- Despite the other songs I have analyzed, this is the first song that I believe holds no feminine stereotypical traits. This is all about taking a stand and being strong in the face of adversity. It is a very empowering song and defies the common stereotypical traits we often see in songs sung by women.
〉Counterstereotypical Feminine Traits
- Self-reliant: “When the sharpest words wanna cut me down, I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out”
- These lyrics are expressing that when someone is trying to tear you down, you have to choose to not let it affect you. You have to rely on yourself to realize your worth and when no one else will stand up for you, you have to do it yourself.
- Willing to take a stand: “Look out ’cause here I come”
- This phrase is powerful in that when people are out to make you feel insecure and self-conscious you have to fight back. You have to face them head on and show them that their words are only coming from their own insecurities.
- Confident: “I’m not scared to be seen”
- This phrase is saying that although we have our own insecurties and struggles, we have to learn to embrace them. We cannot hide behind a closed door forever and we have to show people that we are all beautiful in our own ways.
Stay tuned for the next post on…Ella Henderson!
Shared by: Emily Calewarts
Image Credit: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/keala-settle-in-concert/