Back To The Middle

India.Arie · Acoustic Soul [2001]

She is twenty-five, spent over half of her life

So afraid to speak her mind, it's such a shame

Cause what a brilliant mind she has



[chorus]

And now that she's been introduced to confidence

She doesn't see, that she is bordering on arrogance

When will she learn to come back to the middle



He is a young black man, grew up without his father

And now it falls into his hands, to protect his mother

Cause if he doesn't, well then who will

His older brother lives in fear of everything

Especially, trying to fill his father's shoes



[chorus]

Respectively, they go to extremes, of masculine and feminine

Chasing dreams, but they keep on falling

Cause they don't know no balance

When will they learn to come back to the middle



You gotta take the good with the bad, and you might hit the wall

Sometimes you'll fly and sometimes you will fall

There ain't no way to avoid the pain

But it's getting burned, that's how you will learn

To come back to the middle



[chorus]

Needing to protect yourself, now that is just a part of life

If you let your fears keep you from flying

You will never reach your height

To get to the top, you must come back to the middle

When will we learn to come back to the middle



Come back to the middle, come back to the middle

Don't make no mind about falling down

Cause it's when you're in that valley

You can see both sides more clearly



Come back to the middle

Back To The Middle

India Arie's "Back To The Middle" serves as a poignant centerpiece on her 2001 debut album, Acoustic Soul. Recorded with her signature raw, intimate style, the track exemplifies her ability to blend soulful vocals with socially conscious storytelling. Released during the early 2000s, the song reflects the era's emphasis on authenticity and spiritual grounding within the neo-soul genre. Arie's performance captures a reflective mood, inviting listeners to consider personal and communal balance. The recording stands as a testament to her early career, showcasing her unique voice and lyrical depth that would define her subsequent discography.