Long Time Coming
Maria Mena Lyrics

In "Long Time Coming", Maria Mena delivers an emotional and introspective monologue in which she opens up about her struggles with self-esteem, her childhood trauma, and her longing for support and understanding. The first line of the verse, "Your patronizing stare can watch me heal," suggests that the singer is undergoing some kind of personal growth or recovery process, perhaps in therapy or in a relationship that challenges her. The address of the "you" in the line is ambiguous and could refer to different people or entities the singer is dealing with, including a therapist, a friend, a lover, or even her own inner voice. However, the use of the word "patronizing" implies a power dynamic in which the other person assumes superiority or authority over the singer's healing process, which could be counterproductive or harmful to her.

The second line of the verse, "What I would give for you to take the wheel," expresses the singer's desire to relinquish control and trust someone else to guide her through the difficulties she faces. The image of someone else driving the car is a metaphor for leadership, guidance, and safety, as well as a recognition of the singer's limitations and vulnerability. The line also implies that the singer has been carrying a heavy burden for a long time and is tired of doing it alone. The chorus of the song, "It's just been a long time coming," reinforces the idea of a prolonged struggle or battle that the singer has been enduring for a while. The use of the phrase "long time coming" suggests that the singer's issues are deeply ingrained and difficult to overcome, but also implies a sense of inevitability or progress, as if she knows that she has to face them sooner or later.

The next verse of the song, "The strong resemblance to my mother's womb/Is the reason why I will not leave this room," sheds light on the singer's past and how it affects her present. The line refers to the psychological concept of the womb imprint, which suggests that the experiences and emotions a fetus goes through in the womb can shape their personality, behavior, and mental health later in life. The singer's mother's womb is a symbol of safety, comfort, and familiarity, but also of confinement, limitation, and trauma. The fact that the singer sees a strong resemblance between her current situation and her mother's womb implies that she feels trapped, stuck, and unable to break free from her past. The line "It's been a long time coming" in this verse suggests that the singer has been carrying the weight of her mother's influence for a long time and that it's not easy to let go of it.

The third verse of the song, "The lack of self-esteem has grown on me/I'm not as strong as I appear to be," is a candid admission of the singer's inner struggles with confidence and identity. The line "It's been a long time coming" in this context suggests that the singer's low self-esteem is not a recent development, but rather a chronic condition that has worsened over time. The line "My lullaby sounds more like distant screams" is a powerful metaphor that captures the singer's emotional turmoil and how it affects her sleep and mental health. The image of a lullaby turning into screams suggests that the singer's inner voice or memory is haunting her, disturbing her peace, and robbing her of rest. The line "It's been a long time coming" in this verse implies that the singer has not been getting the emotional support or validation she needs to overcome her self-esteem issues, and that it's been a struggle for her to cope with them on her own.

Overall, "Long Time Coming" is a poignant and relatable song that combines personal experience, psychological insight, and poetic imagery to convey the complexity of healing and growth. The song addresses some of the most common and pressing themes of human psychology, such as self-esteem, trauma, identity, support, and vulnerability, while also showcasing Maria Mena's powerful voice and lyrical talent.