© JP Asher 2026 _____________ During my recent breakdown, I got to a stage where I could neither listen to nor talk about music - trying to do so would cause me to panic and burst into tears. Making songs and running streams obviously therefore had to go on hold. I have spoken to numerous mental health professionals as part of my recovery. I had a conversation with one particular woman that truly resonated with me and helped to lift me out of the gloom. She said we were all "like Russian dolls", and that my final top layer of the doll was revealing itself as I healed. She described how in days gone by, circuses would whip elephants from infancy so that even when they became powerful fully-grown animals, they would remain afraid and compliant ... until the day they realised their own strength, at which point their tormentors would have no more power over them. The analogies resonated with me profoundly. I sat right down and wrote this song ... and was able to do it without panicking, losing control or melting down. The strength and the ability did remain within after all ... and I realised that I was indeed beginning to heal. I will keep on getting all the help I need to be the best JP I can be. Thank you all for the support. I love you all. ✨ JP _____________ Hidden deep Riven, weep Round and round my soul Like a Russian doll Layers and layers Say your prayers Dread-flex press Confess, say bless Goin' full pelt, like I'm gonna melt But I was born to be myself...! Round and round my soul Like a Russian doll Nobody's coming? Fine! I'll save myself...! Round and round my soul Like a Russian doll I won't melt (no!) Born to be myself...! Elephant the circus Whipped from birth Throwin' off the curse, I Know my worth Vie si surréelle, à la fois si réelle Yeah, I was born to be myself...! Round and round my soul Like a Russian doll Nobody's coming? Fine! Fine, I'll save myself! Round and round my soul Like a Russian doll I won't melt (no!) Born to be myself...! Goin' full pelt, like I'm gonna melt But I was born to be myself...! Round and round my soul Like a Russian doll Nobody's coming? Fine! I'll save myself, myself...! Round and round my soul Like a Russian doll I won't melt (no!) I won't melt I was born To be Myself...! Russian doll Russian doll Russian doll Russian doll... Russian doll Russian doll Yeah, Russian doll... Yeah, Russian doll. _____________ English translation of French line Vie si surréelle, à la fois si réelle = Life so surreal, at once so real
