Story Behind The Song
I received a DUI in 2005 and spent a day in jail (being booked several months later) among San Quentin inmate transfers. It was a horrible but poignant experience and I believe that I grew from it immensely.
Song Description
This Won't Define Me is a song about overcoming the shame and humiliation of a personal mistake, moving beyond it, and not allowing it to define yourself.
| Song Length |
4:10 |
Genre |
Rock - Modern, Pop - Rock |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Nervous, Composed |
Subject |
Addiction, Healing |
| Similar Artists |
The Dave Matthews Band, The Wallflowers |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
It's not for long
Just for today
I'm only gonna be here for awhile
Was just a bad mistake oh back in May
Suffice to say involved a breathalizer
But now there's no distinction
Just an addict with a habit in denial
I'm just this animal with my belly half full
And I'm hungry, and I'm desperate, and I'm tired
But I'm trying to stay open
Keep from being broken
Retain this fire
I've got myself to blame
And I'm embarrassed yes
But I...brush it off my shoulder
Get this off my chest
This won't define me
It isn't like I thought it would have been
I didn't know when I was going in
That feeling that comes when they take it all away
And it starts to slowly seep on in
All the anger and bitterness that lurks within
These walls these people just get me out of this place
But I'm trying to stay open
Keep from being broken
Retain this fire
I've got myself to blame
And I'm embarrassed yes
But I...brush it off my shoulder
Get this off my chest
This won't define me
When I was staring out at forever
Didn't see things getting harder before they got better
But sometimes things just change
Things can't stay the same
I've got myself to blame
And I'm embarrassed yes
But I...brush it off my shoulder
Get this off my chest
This won't define me