Who You Thought I Was

"Who You Thought I Was" is a soaring ballad that finds Brandy Clark reflecting on the end of a relationship. The singer remembers things she wanted out of life in her younger days. I used to wanna be a cowboy A shadow in a sunset That's why I started smokin' cigarettes. Because of her time with her now-ex, Clark's priorities have changed. She wants to be a better person now that her lover has gone. Now I wanna be better I wanna be the me I should have been when we were together I wanna be at least almost close to worth your love I wanna be who you thought I was

A John Prine joke at an Americana Honors & Awards ceremony kick-started the song. Clark recalled at an album preview event: "John Prine walked out, and everybody stood up and clapped for a long time. I think in an attempt not to get emotional, he made a joke of it. He said, 'I'm John Prine, but I'd like to go back to being who you thought I was.'" The songwriter in Clark instantly recognized a song, so she put the idea in her phone. Her heart recognized a truth, which bought her to tears. She explained: "I cried because I'd felt that way. Like, 'Man, I'd love to be who somebody thought I was,' you know? It can really be anything. I'd like to be who my dogs think I am, on most days." The very next day Clark sat down and penned the song.