How Much of Me Can Stay? | Kiba Snowpaw

A personal song about changing yourself to fit in, second-guessing every word, and wondering whether being accepted still counts if you had to leave parts of yourself outside. Lyrics: [Intro] I left my colours with my coat Before I came inside. You told me I could feel at home. I wondered what to hide. [Verse 1] I talk a little quieter, I check before I laugh. I watch your face for little signs And cut my stories down by half. I tuck my tail beneath the chair, Keep every answer short and light. You tell me I fit in so well. I barely said a thing all night. [Pre-Chorus] The welcome feels so warm at first. Then I remember what it cost. How can I feel so glad you found me When I’m the one who’s getting lost? [Chorus] How much of me can stay? How much must disappear? If I keep changing just to be wanted, Who’s being wanted here? I want to know I’m welcome With my whole self still in view. If I have to leave myself outside, Who’s coming home to you? [Verse 2] Some of these rules were spoken; Some I wrote inside my head. I learned to hear rejection In things you never said. I catch myself agreeing Before I know what I believe. I’m scared that if I sound like me, You’ll find a reason just to leave. [Pre-Chorus] I used to think that being loved Meant being easy to keep near. Now every compliment feels strange If I’m the one who isn’t here. [Chorus] How much of me can stay? How much must disappear? If I keep changing just to be wanted, Who’s being wanted here? I want to know I’m welcome With my whole self still in view. If I have to leave myself outside, Who’s coming home to you? [Bridge] I’ll learn. I’ll change. I’ll get things wrong. There’s room for me to grow. I got so good at fitting in, I lost the things I used to show. The songs I love, the way I laugh— Those weren’t faults I had to mend. I want to meet that wolf again And let you meet him as a friend. [Final Chorus] How much of me can stay? I’m scared to let you see. But I don’t want another welcome For someone I pretend to be. I want to know I’m wanted With my whole self still in view. Tonight I’ll tell you something real And hope there’s room for me with you. [Outro] I tell you why I wrote that song. For once, I let it stay. I don’t laugh off the things I mean. There’s more I’d like to say. #KibaSnowpaw #HowMuchOfMeCanStay #FurryMusic #WolfSong #EmotionalSong #HowlStrom