Imagine seeing him on the town holding another hand
She’s staring me down
So I figure that he told her who I am
But it don’t matter either way
What they do or say
‘cause ain’t nothing changed
He’s standing with her
But his soul is calling out my name
Chorus
In my mind I’ll always be his lady
In my mind I’ll always be his girl
Saw his mama just the other
Said he’d been through a spell
‘Had a bad break up
Thinks he’s on his way up
It’s hard to tell
She said
I think it’d do some good if you call him every now and then,
You see he’s been through some things and I’m thinking
He could really use a friend
Chorus
In my mind I’ll always be his lady
In my mind I’ll always be his girl
Only time will tell if I’m his lady
But in my mind, I’ll always be his girl
Bridge
They say if you love something
You’ve got to let it go
And if it comes back
Then it means so much more
But if it never does
At least you will know
That it was something you had to go through
To grow
Chorus
In my mind I’ll always be his lady
In my mind I’ll always be his girl
Only time will tell if I’m his lady
But in my mind, I’ll always be his girl
Heather Headley - In My Mind (Official Video)
In My Mind Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Heather Headley's song "In My Mind" presents a narrative centered on enduring emotional connection despite the physical separation and the former partner moving on. The lyrics open with the speaker encountering the ex-partner with someone new, observing the new partner's reaction, and acknowledging that external circumstances have changed. However, the speaker maintains that despite the external reality, the internal bond remains, as expressed in the chorus that declares a constant identity as his "lady" and "girl" within the speaker's own mind.
The song further explores the complexities of this past relationship through an interaction with the ex-partner's mother. This conversation reveals that the ex has been going through difficulties following a breakup, and his mother suggests the speaker could be a supportive friend. This interaction highlights the lasting ties and shared history that persist even after the romantic relationship has ended, painting a picture of lingering care and concern between the families or individuals involved.
The bridge introduces a reflective perspective on loss and growth, referencing the adage about letting go of something loved. The sentiment conveyed is that if something returns, its value is amplified, but if it does not, the experience of the separation serves as a necessary part of personal development. This suggests an acceptance of the situation as a potentially painful but ultimately beneficial journey towards self-growth, framed within the context of the past relationship.
Ultimately, the core meaning derived from the lyrics revolves around the internal experience of holding onto a connection or identity tied to a past relationship, even as external circumstances evolve. While acknowledging that only time will reveal the future of the relationship's status ("Only time will tell if I'm his lady"), the speaker firmly asserts the permanence of their internal feeling and identity within the relationship's history ("But in my mind, I'll always be his girl"). The song's message resonates with the idea that emotional reality within one's own mind can differ from external reality and the process of navigating this discrepancy while learning and growing from past experiences. An official music video for the song was released on October 25, 2009.
