What Use is the Bathroom Mirror?
Skirmish: take a look in the mirror (@fairplay)Liner Notes
I sat down to this skirmish very late, and wasn't tracking the time. I think the writing took well over an hour. But the skirmish prompted me to think about mirrors, real and metaphorical, which led to this song, so the skirmish gets credit.
While singing this through the first time, to write the chords down, I realized with surprise that I was letting the minor chords wander off partway through to be used some other time. Then I totally ad-libbed the final chorus on the one-take recording. This is just me and my guitar, unless the kitties snuck in a word or two in the background.
Unlike many of my first-person songs, this one is very much about me and my own quirky life. I have to say, being called Princess Leia back then feels a lot more like a compliment to me now than it did in high school.
Lyrics
What Use Is the Bathroom Mirror? Deirdre M Murphy
Am C Em The bathroom mirror shows dark circles on my face, Am C Em Under my eyes, always, since I was young Dm Am I learned how to take my mother’s makeup base Dm G And blend the dark away, before I was grown
The bathroom mirror shows how thin my hair grows There’s not enough hair now, to twist to hold a pen They used to call me “Princess Leia” in Kendo When I wound my braids tight to pad the helm
C G Ah, but what use is the bathroom mirror? C G Are those wrinkles or streaks of soap? Dm Am It just shows me how old I’m getting Em Am How worn and tired and out of cope
C G Far better to look into this small pixel-screen C G Read stories I’ve told, hear songs that I’ve sung D G The games that I’ve played, the things that I’ve seen D G The people I’ve touched, the friends far-flung
C G Yes, what use is the bathroom mirror? C G When if you look, you can read so many dreams F C These pixels show myself so much clearer F G The real me remembered in electron streams
C G Or listen to the words of family and friends C G Showing me a self that I didn’t perceive D G Like calling me “a saint” when my patience was pretend D G Creating a better truth from my make-believe
Yes, what use is the bathroom mirror? When I can look into the eyes of my dears? And be inspired to become a much better me Than the person (I thought I was) composed of my fears?
(Instrumental)
I guess I’ll toss that bathroom mirror And rely on a truer, better vision And see the best me I can hope to be In my imagination and the words of those I hold dear
Copyright ©2025 Deirdre M Murphy (2/5/2025) FAWM inspired by skirmish topic #lookinthemirror #folk #filk
Comments
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I have a strong suspicion patience is frequently a fake it till ya make it situation, but it still counts. This is a lovely song, wistful isn’t really the right word but… I like the inspirational turn it takes. What we see in the mirror, foggy or clear, (none of us ever really see ourselves clearly) doesn’t count for nearly as much as how we’re seen by people who really know and love us. We almost always focus on what we see as our flaws. This is a very insightful song and I really appreciate getting to hear it. 💗
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As someone who has always hated my reflection, this hit hard. Very hopeful and beautiful! "Showing me a self that I didn't perceive" is a powerful line. Makes me want to try a little at that whole "Self-Love" thing, right?
Thank you for sharing your music with the world! I'm better for hearing it :)
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What use is the mirror when it does not reflect your true self? Profound lyrics indeed. The performance is really emotional and charged. I could feel the heart in this. Terrific song. #tit4tat
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This. Thank you for writing these words. You have a gift for the real ❤️
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Terrific set of lyrics, and I really like your voice and nice simple guitar. Great song! ❤️
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This song is my favorite of the ones I listened to of yours. Your voice and the guitar amplify the lyrics in this song. Truly moving song. "Like calling me a saint when my patience is pretend" is the true mark of beauty in this world.
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@nadine I mean any computer screen. Here, LiveJournal, Dreamwidth, Patreon, Bandcamp, etc. Thanks for stopping by!
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Good write! I can relate so much on the dark circleunder eyes part! When you talked about small screens, are you referring to Instagram and filter corrected beauty? Or is it more about distraction?
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I blame the mirror, I'm having those same issues with mine...stupid mirror! Let's toss 'em! What a clever song and sadly, ....relatable...sigh.... You give this a mournful, melancholy sound to match these stupid mirror problems!!! Dumb mirror!!
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Moving song, singing and playing. Very interesting and creative approach to your lovely skirmish ♥️
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Well done and love the lyrics and tune.
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Fine use of the prompt to examine the aging progress. Photography has a similar role. I look at photos of myself only ten years ago and think: "How young I still looked, back then." Our bathroom mirror has a particularly nasty light above it, which makes the face looking in it harsh and shadowed.
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I love the first part with the makeup! I could imagine the scene clearly.
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…very nice and touching personal - great intense perfomance - good thing that you took the time to participate and the time finish the Skirmish - well done!…
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The specifics let me into your experiences, and the broader ideas I relate to. Seeing a more accurate reflection in your online self and a better version in the words of people you trust hits home with me.