Chosen Family by Rina Sawayama Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Bonds That Transcend Bloodlines
Lyrics
Tell me your story and I’ll tell you mine
I’m all ears, take your time, we’ve got all night
Show me the rivers crossed, the mountains scaled
Show me who made you walk all the way here
Ooh
Settle down, put your bags down
Ooh
You’re alright now
We don’t need to be related to relate
We don’t need to share genes or a surname
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
So what if we don’t look the same?
We been going through the same thing, yeah
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
Hand me a pen and I’ll rewrite the pain
When you’re ready, we’ll turn the page together
Open a bottle, it’s time we celebrate
Who you were, who you are
We’re one and the same, yeah, yeah
We don’t need to be related to relate
We don’t need to share genes or a surname
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
So what if we don’t look the same?
We been going through the same thing, yeah
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
I chose you
You chose me
I chose (chosen family)
I chose you
You chose me
We’re alright now
We don’t need to be related to relate
We don’t need to share genes or a surname
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
So what if we don’t look the same?
We been going through the same pain, yeah
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
We don’t need to be related to relate
We don’t need to share genes or a surname
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
So what if we don’t look the same?
We been going through the same thing, yeah
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
We don’t need to be related to relate
We don’t need to share genes or a surname
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
So what if we don’t look the same?
We been going through the same thing, yeah
You are, you are
My chosen, chosen family
In an era where the very notion of family is being redefined, Rina Sawayama’s ‘Chosen Family’ emerges as a powerful anthem of inclusivity and unconditional acceptance. Beneath its shimmering surface of synth-pop production, the song delves deeply into the concept of families formed not by birth, but by bond—an idea that has become ever more relevant in contemporary society.
Sawayama’s ballad does more than just soothe; it serves as a testament to the resilient spirits who have sculpted their own kinship networks, pieced together with threads of shared experiences and mutual support. The song isn’t just a personal narrative; it’s a communal proclamation that celebrates the diverse forms of connection human beings are capable of nurturing.
Breaking Down the Family Blueprint
Rina Sawayama peels back the layers of traditional familial structures, offering a fresh perspective that challenges societal norms. ‘Chosen Family’ stands as a beacon for those who have felt marginalized or ostracized by conventional family dynamics. It represents a shift towards the recognition that family can be a curated experience, rather than a default position assigned at birth.
The song’s soaring chorus—’We don’t need to be related to relate’—epitomizes this seismic swing in understanding. Sawayama rewrites the archetypal family experience, highlighting the beauty in the connections we choose for ourselves. This challenges the emphasis on biological or legal ties and instead focuses on the emotional and spiritual bonds that can be equally, if not more, significant.
Solidarity in Shared Struggle: ‘We been going through the same thing’
Sawayama doesn’t shy away from recognizing the shared struggles that often form the foundations of a chosen family. Lyrics like ‘So what if we don’t look the same? We been going through the same thing, yeah’ validate the experiences of those who find kindred spirits through common hardships or mutual understanding.
Here, the song becomes an anthem for solidarity, acknowledging that the paths we walk, riddled with rivers crossed and mountains scaled, often lead us to the family we choose. It’s in this shared narrative of triumph over adversity that Sawayama finds the essence of chosen family—the purest form of human connection.
A Toast to Personal Transformation
Sawayama’s invitation to ‘Open a bottle, it’s time we celebrate / Who you were, who you are’ goes beyond mere festivity. It’s an acknowledgment of growth and evolution, a celebration of individual identity within the context of communal support.
These lines speak to the transformative power of acceptance. By recognizing and honoring both the past and present selves, ‘Chosen Family’ ascribes sacredness to the journey of personal development, highlighting how our chosen families are often the ones cheering us on and aiding in our metamorphosis.
The Hidden Meaning: Finding ‘The One’ in Many
Beyond its overt message of kinship, ‘Chosen Family’ harbors a deeper significance that taps into the zeitgeist of modern love and relationships. The repeated mantra of ‘You are, you are / My chosen, chosen family’ subtly redefines the conventional search for ‘The One,’ celebrating instead the multiple ‘Ones’—the village of souls—that we gather around us.
In an age where the romantic ideal is often funneled into the search for a solitary soulmate, Sawayama’s vision of ‘chosen family’ expands our emotional horizons. She elevates the plurality of human connections and the richness they add to life’s tapestry, supporting the idea that love is multifaceted and need not be confined to romantic partnerships.
Memorable Lines That Resonate with the Rebel Hearts
As the song reaches its crescendo with ‘I chose you / You chose me / We’re alright now,’ it becomes a defiant chant for anyone who has ever felt outside the traditional family unit. These words, simple yet profound, encapsulate the essence of mutual selection—the deliberate act of choosing one another as sanctuary in a judgmental world.
‘Chosen Family’ is a constant reminder that it’s within our power to redefine our networks of support, to choose who we call family, and to find solace in the arms of our allies. Rina Sawayama immortalizes these bonds in a track that, much like family, will uplift, endure, and resonate for years to come.
