I'm Still Here (John Rzeznik)

keep in mind the songwriter is Johnny Rzeznik and the song was written for the film Treasure Planet:

it's about a young man from a dysfunctional, broken family who is struggling with growing up and finding his identity, self confidence, meaning in life and his role in the world, similar to the theme of growing up in "Name".

Johnny Rzeznik came from a dysfunctional family with an absentee, alcoholic father (hence the song "Broadway"), very similar to how the character Jim Hawkins in Treasure Planet grew up fatherless, abandoned by his father as a child.

Through it all, he is "still here" and finds the confidence and peace within himself to stand on his own as a person and as a man.

watch the official music video on youtube or something and you'll see what i mean

The metaphorical song is about a young man who grew up without having a father, struggles to find his place in life and wants to be accepted as he is (I'm Still Here – Treasure Planet / John Rzeznik).

My Interpretation (Lyrics):

The society doesn't understand and don't want to accept him for who he is, because he is different (I am a question to the world. Not an answer to be heard).

Referring to his father, who was never there for him (Or a moment, that's held in your arms).

People treating him like a boy, because he doesn't know things, that others probably do in his age, even though he is a young man and had no father in his childhood (And what, do you think you'd understand? I'm a boy, no, I'm a man. / And how, can you learn what's never shown? Yeah you stand here on your own).

They are telling him how to be, so that he fits into their stereotypical male image. They judge him without really trying to understand him. He will not change for them, because he wants to be accepted as he is (And what, do you think you'd ever say? You don't know me. And I'll never be what you want me to be / And I want a moment to be real. And how, can the world want me to change? They're the ones that stay the same).

They perceive him as they want to and don't accept him differently. He wants to be accepted for his true self (They don't know me, cause I'm not here / They can't see me, but I'm still here).

This is when he possibly finds someone to look up to and remain true to himself. That person understands and accepts him as who he is, perhaps because he has had similar experiences. (And you, see the things they never see. All you wanted, I could be. Now you know me, and I'm not afraid. / And I, wanna tell you who I am. Can you help me be a man? As long as I know who I am).

At the end, he gains more self-confidence and is certain that the people are wrong and that they will change their minds eventually. He will never believe them (Yeah, the world is still sleeping. While I keep on dreaming, for me. And their words are just whispers and lies. That I'll never believe. / And how, can they say I'll never change? They're the ones that stay the same. I'm the one now, cause I'm still here).

Conclusion:

Ultimately, I think you can relate to this song even if you had a father, because there are always people that want to tell you how you should be, so that you fit in a specific stereotype for them or something. Therefore, these song lyrics kinda remind me of the song Stand Out Fit In by ONE OK ROCK.

Never change for a person who doesn't even try to understand you in the first place. Stay true to yourself.

this is one of my all time favourite songs. I think its about someone who is being pressured to change but he know he can't... He knows if he changes he won't be himself anymore. He's not going to listen to them, no matter what they say. Conforming means he'll never see the things he was meant to see.

This song was in this site, but by the name of JOHN RZEZNIKm and obviously just 4 persons wrote what this song means to them. So i put it here because this son is PERFECT. This song is made for me, it talks about a guy that doesn't feel part of this world, and everybody try to make him change, but no one figure out that maybe he's the only one that is awake in this world and all of the other people is whe have to change...

I think you have to listen it if you hadn't you will be amazed how incredible is this song....

so true!!!

yea its true...about the chracter jim...and probably a little more of john too! i like this song

I am in love with this song, I also love "Treasure Island" which is awkard cuz I don't usually like Disney movies that much :P

I LOVE this song. It is so good. I love the movie to. It is one of the better ones.

love this song! the movie is pretty kick ass for a disney movie too. the movie is about a boy who is misunderstood & searching for something better for himself. the song pretty much describes the way the boy feels and i can totally relate to the boy & the song.

This song is really my life right now. The world is changing and I just want to get the hell out.