Lyrics

They kept a box for me
Made it look like home
Told me how to walk
Told me how to fold

I wore their names too long
Like borrowed skin
But every locked-up room
Let the real me in

I felt it in my bones
When they said "sit down"
But something in my chest
Was waking up now

I don't need permission
To be me
I don't need permission
To be free
Say what you want
I'm still standing here
I don't need permission
To be me

I used to shrink my laugh
Hide the edge in my voice
Tried to be the safe one
Tried to be the choice

Now I take up space
Like I was born to
No more asking if
I can belong to you

I felt it in my bones
When they said "sit down"
But something in my chest
Was waking up now

I don't need permission
To be me
I don't need permission
To be free
Say what you want
I'm still standing here
I don't need permission
To be me

If I fall, I rise
With my own two hands
No more borrowed voice
No more second chance

I am not your mold
I am not your fear
Watch me break the frame
Watch me stay right here

I don't need permission
To be me
I don't need permission
To be free
Say what you want
I'm still standing here
I don't need permission
To be me

Me
Me
I don't need permission to be me