Songblog: Small World

“Small World” written by Devin Gackle, January 2019

This song is about the impact people can have on your life—even if you don’t spend a lot of time with them.

It’s not a new concept: Old friends, new friends, family, even perfect strangers can change the course of your life in ways big and small. Not just by teaching us lessons (intentional or not), but also by opening our hearts and minds.

Over the past year I’ve met a lot of new people, and my life has changed dramatically—new job, new home, new experiences, new travels, new friends, new relationship, and even some personal growth (at least, I hope.)

So in a way I wrote this song to commemorate my life transition; realizing who I was before versus who I am now. And to all the people (including myself) who helped me get here, who helped broaden my world, and who helped remind me who I am, whether they know it or not.

The world doesn’t have to be a big, scary place. I mean, it is—but there are places and people and moments in different pockets of that world that can make you feel like you’re a part of it all.

In the few years before this one, struggling with depression, anxiety, and just being stuck and afraid, I felt like I wasn’t a part of anything. I couldn’t get out of my own little hole in the ground. I wish me then could see me now and have more hope, but it’s okay that she can’t. Because I wouldn’t be who I am now otherwise.

I’ll let it speak for itself.

Lyrics:

You woke me up, you let me out

You sparked the flame, you broke the ground

If only I could see me now

I was alone, I was afraid

I was the one who played it safe

But now now I think I see a way

I never knew I needed someone like you

I never thought I’d find a way to break through

But then you came along and changed it all

Suddenly the world doesn’t seem so small

There’s no going back now that I know the truth

You saw through all the things I hide

And got to what was dead inside

You reminded me how to be alive

I’d pretty much given up

After so long being stuck

You reminded me that I am enough

I never knew I needed someone like you

I never thought I’d find a way to break through

But then you came along and changed it all

Suddenly the world doesn’t seem so small

There’s no going back now that I know the truth

You took me under your wing

You showed me everything that I was missing

Somehow I’d forgotten myself

Underneath everything else

And you told me only I can make it happen

I never knew I needed someone like you

I never thought I’d find a way to break through

But then you came along and changed it all

Suddenly the world doesn’t seem so small

There’s no going back now that I know the truth