​a matter of time

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone yearning for self-discovery and authenticity, feeling a strong pull towards a future self and connections that lie beyond their current circumstances. There's a palpable sense of being out of sync with their immediate environment, hearing a "distant calling" and feeling their heart drawn to "people who don't live around me." This initial feeling sets up a core tension between the present and a desired future state of being. The central conflict emerges from the pressure to conform versus the innate desire to embrace one's true identity. The narrator expresses a desperate wish to "grow up" not just chronologically, but to reach a point of self-understanding where they can "see myself and know / That it's me." This is juxtaposed with the external forces, implied to have lasted "sixteen years," that have been "trying to change me" and labeling them as "not important." The most striking aspect of the writing is the repeated, almost defiant assertion that the desired future is "only just a matter of time." This phrase, coupled with the word "Wasted" immediately following it in the chorus, creates a complex emotional landscape. It suggests that while time is passing and the pressure to change has been significant, the narrator holds onto the belief that their true self will eventually emerge, even if the intervening years feel like a loss. The repetition of "I'll wake up every morning / And be who I want to be" acts as an internal mantra against the external negativity. This lyrical approach is effective because it grounds a universal feeling of adolescent or young adult uncertainty in specific, relatable desires for connection and self-acceptance. The contrast between the internal conviction of future authenticity and the external pressures to change creates a powerful emotional resonance. The narrator’s unwavering resolve, despite the perceived "wasted" time and external dismissal, makes their pursuit of self-definition feel both vulnerable and incredibly strong.