When Will My Life Begin?
Mandy Moore Lyrics


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I've got my mother's love
I shouldn't ask for more
I've got so many things
I should be thankful for
Yes, I have everything, except, I guess, a door
Perhaps it's better that I stay in
But tell me, when will my life begin?




Overall Meaning

The song "When Will My Life Begin" by Mandy Moore is a story of a woman, who seems to be stuck in life with mundane chores consuming her day. The singer talks about her usual morning routine of starting at 7 am by sweeping the floors, cleaning, polishing, and waxing. Her life’s work is limited to tedious tasks and leaves no time for her passion or creative interests. After completing her chores, she spends countless hours reading, knitting, and cooking. Although she indulges in new activities like pottery, ventriloquy, ballet, and painting, she feels like she’s stuck in the same position she has always been in. Throughout the song, the singer questions when her life will begin, a representation of the monotonous life she has been living.


The woman seems to lead an unsatisfactory life, and her longing for something bigger and better is evident. She explains her curiosity about life beyond her small sphere of existence. The line “Tomorrow night the lights will appear, just like they do on my birthday each year, what is it like out there where they glow?” signifies her curiosity about the outside world. Her mother might let her go into the world that night, giving her a chance to experience life beyond the mundane activities she has been doing. As the song progresses, the woman keeps wondering when her life would start, hinting at the monotony of her life.


Line by Line Meaning

Seven A.M., the usual morning lineup
My day always starts at 7 a.m. with me getting ready for daily chores.


Start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean
My chores involve sweeping until the floor is spotless.


Polish and wax, do laundry, and mop and shine up
I have to do laundry, polish, wax, mop, and shine the floor.


Sweep again, and by then it's like 7:15
After cleaning up, it's already 7:15 a.m.


And so I'll read a book
To pass the time, I read books.


Or maybe two or three
Sometimes I read two or three books.


I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery
I paint and add new artworks to my gallery.


I'll play guitar and knit
I play guitar and also knit.


And cook and basically
I experiment with recipes and do various other things.


Just wonder when will my life begin?
Although I keep myself busy, I wonder what my true purpose in life is.


Then after lunch, it's puzzles and darts and baking
After lunch, I spend time doing puzzles, playing darts, and baking.


Paper mache, a bit of ballet, and chess
I enjoy doing paper mache, ballet, and chess.


Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making
I indulge in pottery, ventriloquy, and candle making.


Then I'll stretch, maybe sketch, take a climb
I then stretch, and maybe sketch and even take a climb.


Sew a dress!
I even sew dresses when I have the time.


And I'll reread the books
If I have the time, I re-read books.


If I have time to spare
If I'm done with everything, and still have time, I'll do more.


I'll paint the walls some more
I'll add more paintings on the walls if I can.


I'm sure there's room somewhere
I believe there is always a room for more art.


And then I'll brush and brush
I brush my hair to look presentable.


And brush and brush my hair
I brush my hair again and again.


Stuck in the same place I've always been
I feel like there has been no progress in my life so far.


And I'll keep wondering and wondering
I'll never stop wondering about what lies ahead for me.


And wondering and wondering
I remain unsure of what the future holds.


When will my life begin?
I keep asking myself when I will find my true purpose in life.


Tomorrow night
The next night


The lights will appear
There will be lights.


Just like they do on my birthday each year
Similar to the lights on my birthday.


What is it like
I wonder what it's like there.


Out there where they glow?
Where the lights shine, what's out there?


Now that I'm older
I'm older now.


Mother might just
My mom may allow me.


Let me go
To go out and explore the world.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Irwin Menken, Glenn Evan Slater

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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