I’M IMPRESSED TOO Testing, testing, one, two, three… You told me you were impressed, But I'm impressed too, 'Cause long before you ever knew my name, Your music helped me make it through. You never knew where those melodies traveled, Never knew what I was going through, So if something in my music touched you, Just know— I'm impressed too. I used to drive those streets for hours, Getting people where they had to go, Doctor visits, medical appointments, Taking the long way nice and slow. Through beautiful neighborhoods, Big houses sitting beneath the trees, Some of those homes I'd cleaned before, So I knew every backstreet. And I'd turn that music on, No words, didn't need a thing to say, Just instruments filling up that vehicle, And somehow changing everybody's day. People who might've been struggling, People having a difficult time, Would settle down and look out the window While that beautiful music played behind. I'm impressed too, You don't know what your music did. You don't know how many hurting souls Found a little peace inside of it. You told me you were impressed, And those words came right on through, But before you ever heard my sound, I was already impressed by you. Sometimes words ain't necessary, Sometimes the melody understands. A horn can say, "Keep going," Better than another human can. A piano can hold your sorrow, A saxophone can let it breathe, And when your mind is carrying too much, Music can give your spirit relief. And I needed that too. See, people look at my smile And think happiness is all they see. They don't know there's metal underneath it, They don't know about the pain in me. They don't know what I've carried While still showing up to work, Still giving people everything I had, Even on the days I hurt. I kept happiness on my face, I kept kindness in my hands, Because somebody else was fighting something I might never understand. And maybe that's why that music reached me, Because it didn't ask me to explain. It just rode beside me quietly Through sunshine and through pain. I'm impressed too, You don't know what your music did. Beautiful homes through the windows, Beautiful sounds surrounding us. People seeing places they'd never seen, Maybe forgetting trouble for a minute or two, And while I thought I was helping them, That music was helping me too. I almost quit this morning. Yeah, I almost put it down. Started wondering if all these songs Were worth me sticking around. Then encouragement came unexpectedly, Just a few words—but right on time. Sometimes God don't send a sermon, Sometimes He sends a little sign. Keep making your music. Keep putting your heart in sound. Keep going when nobody's clapping. Keep creating when nobody's around. Because you never know who's listening, You never know who you're helping through, And somebody who inspired your journey Might turn around and notice you. I'm impressed too, More than you could ever know. You helped put music back inside my heart A long, long time ago. And now I'm making thousands of songs, Giving everything I've lived through, So when you tell me you're impressed with me, All I can say is— I'm impressed too. I'm impressed by the gift. I'm impressed by the peace. I'm impressed that music without one word Could make somebody's troubles cease. I'm impressed that years can pass And a seed can still come through. You might've just discovered my music, But I've been inspired by you. Thank You, Most High, For putting music in my heart. Thank You for my mama For teaching me where my faith should start. There'll be brighter days, There'll be harder ones too, But I pray these great days keep on coming And I keep doing what I'm called to do. So I'll keep making music. I'll keep smiling through the pain. I'll keep thanking God in sunshine, And I'll thank Him in the rain. And if one little melody of mine Does for somebody what yours helped do— Then everything was worth it. You said, "I'm impressed." I smiled and said, "I'm impressed too." Testing, testing… One, two, three. Keep going, Mary. Keep making your music. I'm impressed too.
