Lyrics

"How Did I Miss This?")
By Yves Stilmant © 2025

Verse 1A
I said what they wanted, I smiled on command
Made my whole life feel like someone else's brand
I learned to nod, to never stir
Became the echo, not the word
Verse 1B
Told my kids, "Be proud of who you are"
While I was busy hiding every scar
Built a version I could sell
But I lost the real me somewhere else

Pre-Chorus
And now the silence screams too loud
With every truth I never allowed

Chorus
How did I miss this?
The sound of my own name
How did I miss this?
I called out in the dark
But it never felt the same
How did I miss this?
I fooled the world, played every role
But never once felt truly whole
Now I'm standing here, and it cuts like this--
How did I miss this?

Verse 2A
There were moments I almost broke
But I'd laugh it off, make a joke
Told myself it's just the way things go
And kept the mask so no one'd know
Verse 2B
I kept it quiet, bit my tongue
Made peace with things that felt all wrong
I lied to them, but worse than that--
I lied to me, and I wore that mask

Pre-Chorus
And now I'd give the world to hear
The voice I buried all those years

Chorus
How did I miss this?
The pain I wrapped in pride
How did I miss this?
The truth that kept on knocking
While I stayed locked inside
How did I miss this?
I said I'm fine, I looked composed
But not a soul really knows
How deep the ache goes when you fake your bliss--
How did I miss this?

Bridge
I wasn't weak, just scared as hell
Of showing cracks, of being real
But what I ran from all those years
Is the only thing that feels sincere

Final Chorus
How did I miss this?
The man I should've been
How did I miss this?
The love I tried to earn
When I had it from within
How did I miss this?
I wore a face that pleased the crowd
But I'm done with hiding now
If this is truth... then let it hit--
How did I miss this?... How did I miss this ?