WELL SHE’D SEND ME OFF TO SCHOOL IN A FRILLY DRESS
WITH MY PONYTAIL CURLED JUST SO
I’D GRAB MY BASEBALL GLOVE ON MY WAY OUT THE DOOR
SHE’D JUST SHAKE HER HEAD AND SAY “DON’T YOU KNOW THAT
I’M YOUR MOTHER, LET ME TELL YOU WHO YOU NEED TO BE
LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER, I’M GOING TO TELL YOU WHO YOU NEED 
TO BE”

WELL I GREW UP AND WENT OFF TO COLLEGE
ON MY OWN I EXPLORED THE WORLD OUT THERE
WHEN I CAME BACK HOME SHE SAID “WHERE’D YOU GET THOSE CLOTHES AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR”
MOM I’M NOT PERFECT BUT I’M WHO I NEED TO BE
NO I’M NOT PERFECT BUT I’M WHO I NEED TO BE
WHO I NEED TO BE

THEN I FELL IN LOVE WITH A WOMAN
YOU CAN GUESS WHAT HIT THE FAN
SHE SAID “HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME, DON’T YOU KNOW
YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE, SUPPOSED TO BE WITH A MAN”
MOM I’M NOT PERFECT BUT I’M WHO I NEED TO BE
NO I’M NOT PERFECT BUT I’M WHO I NEED TO BE
I’M WHO I NEED TO BE, WHO I NEED TO BE

WELL SHE’S GONE NOW AND SHE NEVER QUITE FORGAVE ME
FOR JUST BEING WHO I AM
BUT I COULDN’T LIVE SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE
SO I GO ON DOING THE BEST I CAN
NOT BEING PERFECT JUST BEING WHO I NEED TO BE
NO I’M NOT PERFECT BUT I’M WHO I NEED TO BE