From the recording EP "Le Salon Vert" (mp3 version)
In “Kindness Is Strong,” I revisit my experiences of being bullied as a child and teenager. The story takes an unexpected turn, building toward an emotional finale that is at once uplifting and heart-wrenching.
It is a song about letting go, and about finding the courage to protect your sense of self-worth, your joy in life, and your motivation — refusing to let others take these things away from you.
Drums: Alexander Jezdinsky
Producer: Ken Stringfellow
Vocals: Mimi Schell
All Instruments: Ken Stringfellow
Background Vocals: BAAST!
Mixing Engineer: Ken Stringfellow
Mastering Engineer: Marc Ebermann
Lyrics
KINDNESS IS STRONG
Lyrics written by Mimi Schell
Music written by Mimi Schell, Jürgen Scholz
I was a chubby girl, bullied at school
Called names by the boys and some teachers, too
To stop their harassment, all I could do
Was playing the goofy fool.
Yeah, pretend I’m a goofy fool
I laughed the loudest and wore funny clothes
Ridiculous costumes in which I could pose
Fighting fire with fire, saved me the the most
And when sneezing to crinkle my nose,
Yeah, when sneezing, crinkle my nose
When I first fell in love, oh my God was I shy
Trapped in costume before the most introvert guy
I could catch his attention, but never his eyes
At the bus stop, waiting in line
For two years, waiting in line
Ladada dadaa
Ladada dadada dadada
Ladada dadaa
Laa dadada da-ah
Discouraged by love, turning seventeen
I socially engaged, grew courageous and keen
Got elected in high school and in my handball team
As the head girl and captain, I mean,
My broken heart turned from nightmare to dream
I spoke for the weaker, who hadn’t been heard
I negotiated with all I had learned
Becoming a speaker of our youthful herd,
The look of my teacher grew stern,
Yeah, the look of my teacher grew stern
She called me some whirlwind, who couldn’t do harm
I felt affronted after all I’d become
Deeply underrated, but I smiled like the sun
`Cause I’d learned my kindness is strong
Yeah, forgiveness and kindness are strong
Ladada dadaa
Ladada dadada dadada
Ladada dadaa
Laa dadada da-ah
Ladada dadaa
Ladada dadada dadada
Ladada dadaa
Laa dadada da-ah
Kindness is strong
Kindness is strong