The road to finding yourself is a long journey with different decisions leading to different paths. The choices you make can lead to pivotal moments in your life. Once you begin the quest to find who you really are, you’re able to explore the endless possibilities the world has to offer. You can see beyond the little bubble of what you’re used to and step out of your comfort zone. Luckily, we live in a world where our differences are being celebrated, but our minds are programmed to conform to the stereotypes society has provided for us. We bend and twist ourselves to fit into the mold that grants acceptance. Being different makes you stand out in a room where people are born to fit in. “Hide” by Francis On My Mind follows the journey of self-love and acceptance to deprogram the thought that fitting in is the better solution than being authentically yourself.
The song opens with “Mirrors staring back at me/ Who the hell am I supposed to be?” which is a plea from Francis, where she’s waiting to see if her reflection in the mirror will give her the answers she’s looking for. Reflections can be deceiving because we choose to believe what we see, even though there is a clear image right in front of us. It is up to Francis to decide if she is going to let the “mirror”, or in this case society’s expectations, define her or if she will embrace her true self. “I'm always not enough or too much” is how Francis believes other people perceive her, and she feels like she is not what the people around her are looking for. She believes if she blends in with whoever is being socially accepted, she will finally get the approval she's seeking. “Sick and tired of fitting in/ Just wanna feel like home in my skin” is wanting to feel comfortable and at peace with yourself. It’s the realization that everyone will have different traits that make them unique and maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Embracing these traits is one step closer to feeling like you’re at home.
The chorus takes us through the journey of self-love where Francis is “learning to let go” of the social constructs and opinions of others and “Leave it all behind”. This gives her the opportunity to genuinely express her own feelings where she can “love myself one step at a time”. Building up your confidence and self-esteem does not happen overnight; it truly takes one step at a time. “This burning that’s in my soul / Can you see the light?” could be a representation of the determination she has and that the light at the end of the tunnel is a bright one. “I set it free, yeah why should I hide?” now she can fully shine in her own skin instead of hiding behind it. She’s no longer letting her insecurities and fear of not being accepted take over. She is doing this for herself, not for anyone else. “I don't wanna be defeated but it's hard sometimes/ I know even in my weakest now I’ll be fine” is the reality of this process. She knows that it won’t be easy and there may be ups and downs, but she is going to push through. If she is really struggling, she now knows there’s a light to look for and deep down she knows she will be okay.
“Hide” is the song you put on when you’re looking for motivation and comfort. The message behind the song is very relatable and it is comforting to know that this is a universally shared experience. Produced by Diandian, “Hide” is about the desire to be yourself instead of a carbon copy of another. It’s an upbeat pop track with an electric feel. This song makes me want to dance and scream the lyrics at the top of my lungs. Her vocals drive the song forward. The way Francis sings this song almost sounds like a conversation where her frustrations only intensify her emotions. The more passionate she is, the more powerful her voice sounds. The switch in the mood of the song goes from wanting to fit in right to building her confidence. The drums and bass also help amp up the track to make it more upbeat, and the reverb of her vocals give the song more texture. The use of synths and electronic beats in the production gives this song an 80s feel.
Francis On My Mind is a rising pop star and songwriter from Romania. She is originally from Onesti but is now based in Bucharest. Francis was always interested in music from a young age and credits her parents for supporting her dreams and encouraging her to pursue them. Her overall style is blending pop with 80s influences. She released her debut single “On My Mind” in 2020 which instantly became popular with people around the world. She has since released various other singles, but her popularity skyrocketed when her single “Swimming Pools” was featured in season one of Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty. Her single “I’m Alright” was featured in the HBO MAX “Get MAX with Xfinity” advertising campaign that was released in North America. Francis released her first EP “Circle of Love” in 2023 which shares a title with a single she dropped in 2021. She now has over 139,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. “Hide” shouldn’t be hidden on your playlist, check it out and give it a listen!
Written By Alexa LaMalfa
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