"When I Look at You, I See Me" written by Justin Michael is an Infinity Train song that was referenced in Book Two and fully performed in Book Three by voice actors Keith Ferguson, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Kyle McCarley.
Although the song was not released on any music streaming service, a full version and Justin Michael's demo version was made available on the crew merchandise Chicken Choice Judy demo tape as released by Gallery Nucleus.
History[]
According to Jesse Cosay, this song was sung at his elementary school to teach students about being kind to others. In "The Family Tree Car," he attempted to use this song to stop the car's denizens from fighting with each other.
In "The Musical Car," it is shown that Jesse must have stopped off at said car and taught the lyrics to the denizens. The song is featured in a play called "Empathy Goes", which credits Jesse as its writer. They are shown performing it in the opening scene of Book 3, while The Apex is simultaneously getting ready to launch an assault on the Musical Car. When this song plays as The Apex go through their daily routines, it serves as haunting juxtaposition and contrast that highlights the views of The Apex: not caring for the train, its denizens, and trying to be superior to others.
Lyrics[]
When I look at you, I see me
And when I look at me, I see you
It may sound kind of funny at first, but you'll see
If you give it a try you'll like it, too
I'm from the west, and you're from the east
You like to rhyme, and I don't know how
We're not the same, and that's a good thing
There's a whole lot of good being different can bring
Life's too short to only look for difference
We should learn to celebrate our difference
I'm blue!
I'm brown!
I smile!
I frown!
I eat things backwards and upside-down
I've got legs!
I've got none!
Where I'm from, vacuuming's fun
Here, there, everywhere!
Who are you? I don't care
Just be kind and understand
We all hail from equal lands
Everybody!
When I look at you, I see me
When I look at me, I see you
It may sound kind of funny at first but you'll see
If you give it a try
When you give it a try
Won't you give it a try
You'll like it, too
Trivia[]
- The choice to have Howell-Baptiste and McCarley who voice the season's two leads Grace Monroe and Simon Laurent is likely meant to highlight the season's focus on empathy and the parallels between the two characters at the start of their journey. The lines "I'm from the west/And you're from the east/You like to rhyme/And I don't know how" are sung by both voice actors.