Manafest - Be Yourself Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse I
Be yourself man
Be your own girl
What you want huh??
Why you concerned
Want to be a super star
Like you got hot
It don't rain
Just rock
Why not let's talk
Of the days growing up things got tuff
Grade 9 is so rough want to be so loved
By the popular kids
When ye walk in the place they all trip
Chicks want to be kissed
In your dreams that are wet
When reality hit's
Gravity kicks
Ye phone calls seemed to be missed
It's apparent that you starring and comparing your self
You need stop caring, forget everyone else
Hook
To be a child forever
Innocent surrendered
Figured out who I want to be
I'll just be myself yo!!!
Verse II
Sitting by the phone again
Wishing it will ring
Watching friends on TV it's a trend
Never go out, and no where to go
Lonely in ye home chilling with the 5 year olds
Lonely all alone chilling with your mom at home
I know it ain't perfect you
You wanna learn about the bees and the birds in the trees
And your urge to succeed its dream that you have
And all that you got
Come as you are let no one else stop it
Break Down
I hate when I look around
All I see is a generation dying for love I want peace
It's the game you play
You never win
It's just not you
Who you gonna be
Verse III
I don't want to be me, I want to be him, be in
Be new school set the latest trends
Fashion expos up to your nose in clothes,
With the models live your life pro like ye maestro
You don't want the pressure dog
I'm telling you, so you better not
Live your life for it, it's not better off
Why have strangers depict how you dress
How you feel, it's a mess, be real you want respect
Video
Manafest - Be yourself and Jimmy.wmv
Meaning & Inspiration
Manafest’s "Be Yourself," released on September 9, 2003, as part of the *Epiphany (Deluxe Edition)* album, stands as a powerful anthem against the relentless tide of societal pressure and the pervasive quest for external validation. From its opening lines, the song plunges into the all-too-familiar human struggle of striving for acceptance, particularly during formative years, and the profound longing to find one's authentic voice amidst the clamor of comparison. It paints a vivid picture of the internal battle against the desire to conform, to be "popular," and to live up to an often unattainable ideal dictated by others, ultimately guiding the listener toward a liberating truth found in self-acceptance and a deeper, divinely inspired identity.
The song immediately tackles the common anxieties of youth, where the yearning to be "hot" or "loved by the popular kids" can overshadow genuine self-worth. Manafest vividly captures the pain of unreturned calls, the sting of being overlooked, and the constant, draining cycle of "starring and comparing yourself" to others. This mirrors the biblical wisdom found in Romans 12:2, which exhorts believers, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The world often dictates what is desirable, urging us into a mold that stifles our true selves, leading to a deep dissatisfaction when reality inevitably "hits" and "gravity kicks." The song’s urgent call to "stop caring, forget everyone else" is not an encouragement to isolation, but a vital reminder to divest from the fleeting approval of others in favor of a more stable, God-given sense of self, echoing Galatians 1:10, which asks, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."
The recurring hook, with its yearning to "be a child forever, innocent surrendered," encapsulates a profound spiritual desire for purity and freedom from the world’s complexities. This resonates deeply with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:3-4, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." To be innocent and surrendered is to cast off the burdens of adult anxieties and ego, trusting in a greater power, and finding peace in simply "being myself." It speaks to a journey of discovering an authentic identity rooted not in outward performance but in an inward transformation, aligning with the spirit of Romans 12:1, which urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, surrendered to God’s will.
The second verse delves into the quiet despair of loneliness, of "sitting by the phone again, wishing it will ring," and the emptiness of watching others’ seemingly perfect lives unfold on a screen. This isolation and sense of being left out are powerful deterrents to embracing one’s unique path. Yet, the song quickly pivots, affirming the listener's inherent dreams and urges to succeed, proclaiming, "Come as you are, let no one else stop it." This phrase carries significant spiritual weight, echoing invitations from Scripture such as Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," and Revelation 22:17, "Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." It’s a divine affirmation that our worth is not contingent on achievement or popularity, but on our created being, uniquely fashioned by God as Psalm 139:13-16 beautifully describes. Our dreams, our "urge to succeed," are often God-given seeds of purpose that no one else should be allowed to obstruct.
The "Break Down" section offers a poignant observation of a "generation dying for love," caught in a self-defeating "game" of comparison where "you never win." This speaks to the futility of chasing worldly accolades, which are often fleeting and leave a void that only true love can fill. The peace the artist longs for is not just an absence of conflict, but the profound inner tranquility that Philippians 4:7 promises: "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This peace is found when we stop trying to be someone we're not and embrace who we are, as God designed us. The final verse then confronts the allure of "new school, set the latest trends," and the pressure to live a "pro" life dictated by fashion and external appearances. Manafest warns against this pressure, emphasizing that living "your life for it, it's not better off." It challenges the listener to ask why "strangers depict how you dress, how you feel," and boldly declares, "be real you want respect." This resonates with Colossians 3:2, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things," reminding us that true value and lasting respect come from integrity and living authentically according to God’s design, rather than conforming to the ever-shifting standards of the world. The song ultimately encourages a foundational shift: moving from seeking approval in the fickle eyes of people to finding true contentment and purpose in the unwavering gaze of our Creator, a powerful and inspiring message for anyone navigating the complexities of identity in a demanding world.