About the song
A story for this song hasn’t been added yet.
Words from the artist’s archive
OFF-CENTER lyrics
Artist-supplied lyric sheet, matched by title. The sheet may differ from this released performance. Production notes and alternate promotional cuts are omitted.
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Intro
They told me fix it, polish it, make it clean But I found power in the in-between Wabi-sabi, baby, that's my whole aesthetic
Verse 1
Growing up they said to hide the gap between my teeth Cover all the scars, tuck the pain beneath Tried to fit the mold they had designed for me But the cracks in my foundation set me free Scrolled a thousand faces, every single one the same Filters on the truth, everybody playing games Then I found a concept from another continent Celebrating flaws, yeah, that's my testament They want perfect symmetry, I want something real Not the manufactured vibe, want that raw appeal Like a crooked smile that lights the darkest room Or the weathered pages of your favorite book consumed
Pre-chorus
This ain't about the shine, this ain't about the glow This is beauty in the messy, let the real you show
Chorus
I like mine a little off-center, got that wabi-sabi flow Finding gold in all my flaws, that's the only thing I know They can keep their perfect pictures and their filtered fantasy I'm embracing every crack, that's what makes me, me
Verse 2
Bobby Hill spoke truth back in '97, facts Finding beauty in the broken, can't take that back Eastern philosophy meets Western validation Self-acceptance is the only transformation You can chase the trend, spend a check on your face But you'll never find your power in somebody else's space I got stretch marks telling stories of my growth I got laugh lines from the joy, that's an oath Look around, everybody morphing into clones Trading authenticity just to get likes on their phones But the algorithm shifting, people tired of the fake Real recognize real, that's the move we gotta make
Pre-chorus
This ain't about the shine, this ain't about the glow This is beauty in the messy, let the real you show
Chorus
I like mine a little off-center, got that wabi-sabi flow Finding gold in all my flaws, that's the only thing I know They can keep their perfect pictures and their filtered fantasy I'm embracing every crack, that's what makes me, me
Bridge
The Liberty Bell cracked but it still rings true Cindy's mole made millions, what's imperfect about you? Japanese gardens where the stones sit slightly wrong That's where you find the magic, where the soul belongs
Verse 3
Social media pressure got us all comparing metrics But your quirks and all your edges make you more magnetic Asymmetrical and beautiful, that's the new direction Self-love revolution, yeah, we changing the perception Sixteen hundred philosophy meeting twenty-six Ancient wisdom in the modern world, watch how it sticks From the TikTok to the streets, everybody catching on Finding freedom in their flaws, yeah, we singing the same song Beauty standards always changing based on who's in power But the beauty in imperfection never gonna sour So embrace your wabi-sabi, wear it like a crown Most authentic version of yourself is going down
Pre-chorus
This ain't about the shine, this ain't about the glow This is beauty in the messy, let the real you show [Chorus] x2 I like mine a little off-center, got that wabi-sabi flow Finding gold in all my flaws, that's the only thing I know They can keep their perfect pictures and their filtered fantasy I'm embracing every crack, that's what makes me, me
Outro
Perfect is played out Real is revolutionary
Inside the recording
They told me fix it, polish it, make it clean But I found power in the in-between
This ain't about the shine, this ain't about the glow This is beauty in the messy, let the real you show
Perfect is played out Real is revolutionary
Excerpts from artist-supplied lyric files matched by title. Lyric sheets may differ from the released performance.