Be the Whole Thing

[Verse 1]
You fold your sleeves to hide the ink
You laugh too loud, then stop to think
You save your strangest stories up
Like they might spill and break the room

I know that careful little grin
The one you wear to fit right in
But every time you shrink your shape
You leave a little less of you awake

[Pre-Chorus]
Let them keep their measuring tape
They never had to wear your skin
You don't owe them an easier shape
You don't owe them anything

[Chorus]
Be the odd one, be the whole thing
Take up room, let your true self sing
If they don't get it, let them wonder
You were never made to fit their number
Be the odd one, bright and unafraid
You don't need their permission to stay

[Drop Refrain]
Be the whole thing
Be the whole thing
You don't owe them anything

[Verse 2]
Your jokes arrive a beat too soon
Your thrift-store coat's a different blue
You name the clouds above the bus
And make a Tuesday strange for us

That look they give is not a law
Their comfort isn't yours to guard
The ones who fear their own odd parts
May call your open heart too much

[Pre-Chorus]
Let them keep their measuring tape
They never had to wear your skin
You don't owe them an easier shape
You don't owe them anything

[Chorus]
Be the odd one, be the whole thing
Take up room, let your true self sing
If they don't get it, let them wonder
You were never made to fit their number
Be the odd one, bright and unafraid
You don't need their permission to stay

[Post-Chorus]
Be the whole thing
Be the whole thing
You don't owe them anything

[Bridge]
Keep the crooked little drawing
Keep the dance you do alone
Keep the names you gave your planets
Keep the key that fits your own

Maybe they are guarding doors
They've never dared to open wide
You can wish them well and still
Refuse to step back inside

[Breakdown]
Not too strange
Not too loud
Not too much
Not for them

All your colors
All your edges
All your oddness
Let them stand

[Final Chorus]
Be the odd one, be the whole thing
Take up room, let your true self sing
If they don't get it, let them wonder
You were never made to fit their number
Be the odd one, bright and unafraid
You don't need their permission to stay

[Final Drop Refrain]
Be the whole thing
Be the whole thing
You don't owe them anything
Be the whole thing
Be the whole thing
You were never made to fit their number

[Outro]
Keep the key that fits your own
Take up room
Come on home