Need to Work on Myself First

ErickOscar

I Choose Love · 2026

Erick Rivera Reflects on Personal Growth and Lasting Love in Need to Work on Myself First Erick Rivera explores the connection between personal growth and healthy relationships in Need to Work on Myself First. The song encourages listeners to look inward rather than focus on changing someone else, highlighting the importance of self-improvement, mutual understanding and allowing both people in a relationship to grow. At the heart of the track is Rivera's belief that genuine love requires more than expecting another person to change. By working on ourselves first, we can approach relationships with greater awareness and give love the space it needs to develop. The song also holds onto a hopeful message: when love is real, it can overcome difficulties. Rivera's relationship with music spans more than three decades of acoustic guitar playing and songwriting. Born in Panama and now based in the United States, he grew up listening to ballads and love songs, influenced in part by his father's experience as a semi-professional singer. For Rivera, music and guitar have long offered a form of personal expression and therapy. His musical approach draws on a wide range of genres, shaped by years of life and work across Latin America and the United States. Rather than limiting himself to one style, Rivera gravitates towards music with meaningful messages and the ability to connect emotionally with listeners. For the production of Need to Work on Myself First, Rivera uses software to shape the musical setting for his lyrics, selecting elements such as style, tempo, vocals, instruments and arrangement to convey the intended emotion. This process has also allowed him to develop his skills as an amateur producer and experiment with different musical possibilities. With its focus on accountability, personal change and lasting affection, Need to Work on Myself First presents a simple reminder that stronger relationships can begin with the work we do on ourselves.