Wide open my life is now
I hide no more behind the mask
And what you see is what I am, it’s reality

For too long I walked alone
I tried to prove that I was strong
But now that part of me is gone
And I am free, free to be

I need you
And there is nothing I must prove
For you are a friend who loves at all times
I thank God for you
I love you
I need you

I think back to all the times
That you have shown the meaning of love and grace
Your embrace inspires me
To be better

And now I want to be
The one who loves you like you love me
And comforts you with the comfort I’ve been given from above
Now I’m giving you my love
‘Cause…

Written by Rebecca St. James and Shaun Shankel ©2005 Up In The Mix Music / Rambuka Music (BMI), admin. by EMI CMG Publishing / 10 Free Trees Music (ASCAP)

Behind the Song:
“I wrote this song about my best friend, Karleen. I think for a long time I felt like I needed to be this strong, independent young woman who didn’t really show weakness. I felt like it was not a positive thing to be vulnerable. God has really seriously changed my thinking on this. In the beginning of the song, I’m talking about this shift that happened in my life. I’m singing this song to my best friend and just saying, ‘I need you.’ Also I’m talking about the beautiful unconditional love she has for me—and that I thank God for her. She has truly enriched my life with this God-given friendship she has offered me. It’s a song that I hope people can sing to their friends. It’s a song that embraces ‘community’ –which is a word that I love.” - Rebecca St. James