Ovation touches upon facets of vulnerability spanning years, all beginning with my need for parental approval. If I could have understood how contextually complex and compromised those upon whom I depended happened to be, I might have been horrified, fascinated and freed. Instead, I was fraught with confusion. That kind of vulnerability didn't fade after the early years were spent, it just, thankfully, became more conscious and, therefore, more instructive.
I dedicate this song to the drawing of distinctions, tracking of sources and defining of terms--such rigorous mental/emotional activity will not undo the ageless need for social acceptance, but it might give our own vote more weight, alter the criteria and set a clearer precedent for meeting the tender needs of our children.
Composer, performer & producer:
Pamela Sackett
Instrumentals and sound effects:
Guy Nelson
Sound engineering and photography:
Daniel Sackett
CD cover illustration:
Mark Magill
CD design:
Tina Hottovy
verse
If I could become anyone, any time,
any place
I can think of one especially who
I'd like to emulate
when I read about
the things you've done
the honors and the prizes
that you've won
the prestige
and the standing ovations
I can see myself
drawing comparative summations
refrain
but I must discipline myself to
resist the urge to become you
chorus
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
let me just be
my own source of inspiration
verse
so as I become more of who I am
and less of who I'm not
in my own eyes
popular culture might tempt me
but I won't let my envy aggrandize
after all, I don't know
what it's like to be
any of the people that aren't me
even if I could be
who I think I should be
would the world be any less likely
to scrutinize?
refrain
so I must discipline myself to
resist the urge to become you
chorus
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
who more than me bears
that striking qualification
verse
and if I don't ever make your grade
if consensus commendation
eludes my grasp
I'll be sure to carry on my way
evaluating my achievements
task to task
and if you don't read about
all the things I've done
the honors and the prizes
I haven't won
no prestige
and no standing ovations
I won't see their absence
as the ultimate irritation
refrain
cuz I can irritate myself
better than that
I'll win that award in nothing flat
chorus
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
let me just be
my own source of irritation
verse
If I could become anyone, any time,
any place
wouldn't it practical to be myself
I will always win that race
when I think about
all the things I've done
and all the things that I might do
the prestige
and the standing ovations
sit in the heart
of all my genuine creations
refrain
so I must discipline myself to
embrace my grace and my glitches too
chorus
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
let me just become myself
let life itself
be the source of inspiration