Release date: February 19, 2021
Lyrics
I don’t need them
Everybody’s after me again
Go tell them they can catch me if they can
If they ain’t tryna be your friend
Then I don’t need them
You can catch me on the beach
Got sun on me and got sand up on my feet
They won’t ever get no drama out of me
There’s somethin’ about myself
I like
It wasn’t just overnight
To love yourself takes some time
To love myself took some time
And now I’m great, I’m fine
If you ask me, I’m doing killer
I see myself a little clearer
Lately, I’ve been dancing in the mirror
Lately, I’ve been dancing in the mirror
Everybody hating on the net
I won’t take no disrespect
Go and give it all a rest
‘Cause I don’t them
Too much, you can’t look away
They don’t see my lemonade
That’s a game that I don’t play
There’s something about myself
Oh, yeah, I love myself
I like the way I feel, I feel
Oh, yeah, I love myself
I like the way I feel
From the band:
“I remember the first time I ever saw stretch marks on my legs. I just stared at the mirror and cried. I was so embarrassed. I changed the way I dressed, I was too self conscious to go swimming in front of anyone, I avoided my reflection in the mirror. Something so small changed my perception of myself. What I didn’t realise was that so many people were going through the same thing.
Ive wanted us to write this song for so long because it’s easy to be unkind to yourself, but learning to love yourself is something that’s worth celebrating.
It’s been a long journey and sometimes I still catch myself thinking unkind thoughts (especially last year) but this girl is seeing herself a little clearer, and lately she’s been dancing in the mirror.”
– Karina, February 19, 2021
Reflection & Info
One of the more anticipated tracks amongst GLADES fans and friends, DITM sets itself apart from other songs in the band’s discography, addressing topics of self-worth and self-love. This is not a typical GLADES relationship or friendship message at all; instead, this song is all about valuing oneself despite natural imperfections, popular opinion, and external criticism. In three minutes, listeners are encouraged to take charge of their own lives and practice acceptance of self. Karina’s own testimony captures the essence of someone going through personal struggles and overcoming them.
The title of the song pretty much sums everything up. There are plenty of people who have a hard time watching themselves dance alone in a room without feeling ridiculous. Getting to that level of comfort and acceptance of oneself is a pathway towards self-confidence.
Okay, so, the music in Dancing In The Mirror is incredible, and there is so much to unpack. Beyond the usual alt-pop / dance / rock, this song also delves into elements of funk and R&B throughout the verses. The descending chord progression and melody adds plenty of flair throughout the track. Most notably, there are so many layers of lead guitar; I’m not sure if I can even distinguish them all. The chorus alone contains power chords, palm-muted riffs following the progression, some solo licks, and high-end funk chord strumming.
Aside from this being a great song, the most important line comes from the bridge, which in my opinion, is not easy to pull off and sound good, as opposed to cheesy or cringing. Yet, Karina’s front-role and GLADES’ high-energy music allows us to believe and relate to the necessity of saying something as simple as, “I love myself.”
TL;DR & Related Media
• Karina’s message to fans, relating to the song
• Remember to love yourself despite any other opinion
• Some funk genre fusion in this song