This Is Me (feat. Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman Ensemble)

The song 'This Is Me' by Alan Walker, featuring Keala Settle and The Greatest Showman Ensemble, is a powerful anthem of self-acceptance and resilience. The lyrics speak to the experience of feeling marginalized and rejected by society due to perceived imperfections or differences. The opening lines, 'I am not a stranger to the dark / Hide away, they say / 'Cause we don't want your broken parts,' highlight the societal pressure to conform and hide one's true self. The protagonist has learned to be ashamed of their scars and flaws, but the song quickly shifts to a message of defiance and self-empowerment.

The chorus, 'When the sharpest words wanna cut me down / I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out / I am brave, I am bruised / I am who I'm meant to be, this is me,' serves as a declaration of self-worth and courage. The imagery of a flood drowning out harsh words symbolizes the overwhelming force of self-acceptance and the refusal to be diminished by others' judgments. The repetition of 'This is me' reinforces the theme of embracing one's identity without apology.

The song also touches on themes of solidarity and collective strength. Lines like 'We are bursting through the barricades / And reaching for the sun / (We are warriors) / Yeah, that's what we've become' suggest a sense of unity among those who have faced similar struggles. The use of 'we' instead of 'I' emphasizes that this journey of self-acceptance is not solitary but shared by many. The song's triumphant tone and uplifting melody further amplify its message of empowerment and resilience, making it an inspiring anthem for anyone who has ever felt outcast or undervalued.