If We Let Ourselves Lyrics

The first thing I ever wanted was attention

I wanted to be liked and to fit in

And I tried to hide the fact that I was different

So I acted like a shitty little kid

Then the doctor gave me pills for my depression

But I don't really remember how they felt

I took them on and off through adolescence

But they never got me closer to myself

Well I took Marie's affection, never really gave it back

It was selfish desperation and I still feel bad for that

But she's happy now, and married to another guy named Mat

We're getting better if we let ourselves

The second thing I ever wanted was understanding

To know the world and what role I should play

I wrote a couple hundred songs and counting

And met everyone I know along the way

Every person held a small piece of my future

Either something to absorb or to reject

I'm a product of a billion bits of culture

With a crucial little dash of self respect

Well I took my friends' affection, though it mattered less and less

If I went my true direction they would see me at my best

Finally I learned to trust the muscle beating in my chest

We're getting better if we let ourselves

I remember when I realized I loved you

I had never known the meaning of the word

I'm embarrassed to admit that it was tough to

Not just run away for fear of getting hurt

But you helped me break the last pieces of wall down

And I'd like to think I'm helping you out, too

I can say with certainty, once and for all now

The third thing I ever wanted was you

You have all my affection, and I know that I have yours

And that's comfort and protection from the pain that we've endured

While I have my doubts of many things, I've never felt so sure

We're getting better if we let ourselves

We'll be forever if we let ourselves