Don't patronize me

Used to hang on every word, believed every single sound

Thought your advice was solid, the smartest one around

Now I hear that tone, dismissive and so slick

Like my thoughts are childish, a foolish, little trick

You nod your head slowly, with that knowing, gentle stare

Like you're dealing with a toddler, with problems beyond compare

Every time I speak up, you cut me off mid-flow

Like you've heard it all before, everything I need to know

Don't patronize me, don't talk down to my soul

This ain't a lesson, love, you ain't in control

I'm grown enough to stumble, to figure out my way

Your sugary condescension ruins every single day

I ain't lookin' for a teacher, just an equal by my side

So drop that fake approval, nowhere left to hide.

You explain the obvious, like I'm new to how things work

Repeating what I just said, with a self-important smirk

"Bless your heart," you mumble, when I share a fresh idea

Like my vision's limited, clouded by some fear

You simplify my feelings, reduce them to a phase

Wrap 'em up in platitudes, lost in a hazy maze

I can see the pity, behind that forced, kind smile

Acting like my struggles are just trivial, for a while

Don't patronize me, don't talk down to my soul

This ain't a lesson, love, you ain't in control

I'm grown enough to stumble, to figure out my way

Your sugary condescension ruins every single day

I ain't lookin' for a teacher, just an equal by my side

So drop that fake approval, nowhere left to hide.

Listen up, please... I ain't playin' these games...

I need respect, pure and simple, plain as day, no more of this blame

I ain't askin' for your answers, just your ears to understand

To listen to my perspective, a partner, hand-in-hand

So stop with the instructions, and that gentle, guiding hand

'Cause I'm standing on my own two feet, makin' my own stand.

Don't patronize me, don't talk down to my soul

This ain't a lesson, love, you ain't in control

I'm grown enough to stumble, to figure out my way

Your sugary condescension ruins every single day

I ain't lookin' for a teacher, just an equal by my side

So drop that fake approval, nowhere left to hide.

Yeah... Don't you dare... no, don't you dare...

I'm an adult, you hear me? A-d-u-l-t...

Respect me, just respect me... that's all I'm askin'...