Released: 2023
Chance Peña’s ‘i am not who i was’ paints a vivid picture of life on the road and the emotional toll it takes. The theme is clear: the struggle between following a dream and the fear of losing the people you love.
The first verse sets the stage, with lines like I’ve been living on the road / Made a buck off my soul. Peña talks about the sacrifices he’s made for his music career, including being away from home for a long time. He reflects on what might have been if he’d stayed put, pondering Maybe in another life.
The chorus asks the big question: Will I still have a place inside your heart?. Peña is worried that his changes might alienate those he cares about. He wants to be loved for who he is now, not who he used to be.
The second verse shifts to the person he misses. They keep him grounded, even when he’s chasing fame. That spotlight, though it shines bright / Could never drown you out is a beautiful line showing that, no matter how successful he becomes, this person is always on his mind.
The final chorus drives home the song’s message. Peña is essentially pleading, Will you love me for who I am, not who I was?. It’s a universal fear many can relate to—whether our changes and growth will be accepted by those we care about.
