Alex Malliaris - Lyrics

“All the days collided
One less perfect than the next
I was stuck inside someone else's life and always second best
Oh, I love you now 'cause now I realize
That it's safe outside to come alive in my identity

So if you're listening
There's so much more to me you haven't seen
Living in the shadow
Of someone else's dream
Trying to find a hand to hold but every touch felt cold to me
Living in a nightmare
A never-ending sleep
But now that I am wide awake
Then I can finally see”

Identity is a concept with which every person struggles. Men, women, and children are all wrestling with the question of who they are. It’s not necessarily a struggle that can be seen from the outside, but it is very real.
In this song, performed by Ashlee Simpson, we are allowed a glimpse inside the mind of a celebrity. It is a rare peek into the authentic experience of a young woman trying to make sense of who she is in the context of her family. Her sister, Jessica Simpson, has enjoyed tremendous fame and success. Ashlee is constantly comparing herself to her sister. Not only that, but everyone in the media compares them, which makes it even more difficult for Ashlee to establish an identity of her own.
She feels trapped within her association with her sister. She is not just a little Jessica or an underdeveloped artist. Ashlee is a blossoming young woman who can stand on her own merit. It’s hard for her to communicate who she is apart from her relationship with her sister, but with time and great effort, she is able to be herself.
The book discusses the issue of identity and our understanding of ourselves. Most often, we make sense of who we are as we compare ourselves to others around us. There is a context of relationships within which we fit as puzzle pieces.
This song is very refreshing, particularly to a celebrity obsessed culture. These people appear to have it all together and to enjoy complete peace with who they are. But, the truth is that they struggle just like any one of us. They ask themselves the same questions about who they are as contrasted with others and who they want to be known as.
I often think about who I am. I look back to who I was in high school and sometimes I think that I knew myself better, then. Perhaps it was just that I was better known. There’s no replacement for being understood. Sometimes others know us better than we know ourselves. When you feel unknown to others it’s easy to forget who you are. But, once we gain a better understanding of ourselves we will finally be able to see.