"Who I've Always Been" is an unreleased song by American singer and songwriter Taylor Swift. The song was recorded in 2004 and leaked in 2020.
Background[]
The song is rumored to be about Ashley Gearing. Lyrically, the song is about a girl who is trying to become a singer "the quick and easy way". A frustrated Swift describes how hard she had to work to make it while the other girl just had success handed to her.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
You walk in here with your guitar, man
Your shiny boots and your full on band
A smile on your face, a knife in your hand
Singing songs you've got memorized
With whatever talent money buys
So polished that it slips right through your hands
[Pre-Chorus 1]
But don't worry yourself
I ain’t your competition
Don't flatter yourself
That was never my intention
[Chorus]
I want to talk about what you are that I ain’t
Let's talk about what you do that I can't
Let's talk about me and you
And that empty room and who wins
Let's talk about what you did to get here
Let's talk about blood and sweat and tears
Let's talk about what you want to be
And who I've always been
[Verse 2]
I walk in here with a beat-up case
The same guitar I've always played
And the words I wrote down on a page
When I was twelve years old and small town raised
You tell the crowd you're paying dues
I tell them, "This is what I do"
And it’s what I put my life into
As I breathe the smoke and cheap perfume
[Pre-Chorus 2]
And say, "Life on musical road
Is rough conditions
But the easy ride was never my ambition"
[Chorus]
I want to talk about what you are that I ain’t
Let's talk about what you do that I can't
Let's talk about me and you
And that empty room and who wins
Let's talk about what you did to get here
Let's talk about blood and sweat and tears
Let's talk about what you want to be
And who I've always been, oh
[Bridge]
Let's talk about your childhood days
You were the prom queen, I was on this stage
So, where's that crown gotten you these days?
When it's me and you and the same damn games?
[Chorus]
So what have you got that I ain't?
And what do you do that I can't?
Let's put me and you in an empty room
And see who wins
Let's talk about what you did to get here
Let's talk about blood and sweat and tears
Let's talk about who you want to be, girl
And who I've always been (Who I've always been)