Mena was thirteen years old she moved to live with her musician father. She sang and wrote lyrics as a form of therapy for her feelings and frustrations. Not all the stories in her diary became songs, but "My Lullaby" was one of them, expressing her pain from her parents' divorce. After pleading with her father to make a demo, he contacted some industry experts to record Maria's songs in the studio. Then he presented his daughter's demo to the music industry. Sony Music signed Maria Mena to their label.
In March 2002, Mena's single "My Lullaby" reached number five in the Norwegian charts. The young singer quickly gained fans and soon earned her first platinum record. 2005 saw the release of Apparently Unaffected, including singles "Miss You Love" and "Just Hold Me". A significant success in Norway, the album gained three Spellemann nominations: best female artist, best hit, and best music video.
In September 2008 Mena's fifth studio album was released, Cause and Effect.
Power Trip Ballad
Maria Mena Lyrics
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The devastating childhood the powertrip you forced me through
But how could he leave you
Could he fuck that whore
He left you for
Get revenge
And by all means ask your nine year old daughter to choose between you
Now let her in on how he's the devil
He's just been falsely portrayed
But force her to go stay at his house once a week
Because you wanna get laid
Hahaha
Ask me why he scares me
Do you wanna know why I'm angry?
Can't you tell I'm crying?
Mother I don't feel good
You will always be the bitter saddest part of me
Your girl's in the bathroom washing her hands again
Why doesn't she eat?
Her father left us
What about me?
I can't rest
I can't sleep
Momma loves you
I'm just tired of you and your brother's shit
And I didn't mean to hit you
But you were asking for it
Hahaha
Ask me why she scares me
Do you wanna know why I'm angry?
Can't you tell I'm crying?
Mother I don't feel good
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
In this song, Maria Mena sings about the lasting impact that her mother's abusive behavior has had on her. She describes how her feelings are a reflection of her mother's actions, specifically the power trip that she forced Maria through during her childhood. Maria hints that her mother may have tried to turn her against her father and even forced her 9-year-old daughter to choose between her parents. Despite this, her mother still tries to maintain a relationship with her daughter by saying "Momma loves you" but also shows her frustration with her daughter and son by hitting them. Maria feels trapped by her mother's behaviors and is unable to escape her influence.
The lyrics of "Power Trip Ballad" reveal the insidiousness of psychological abuse and the toll it can take on an individual. Maria Mena's description of her mother's behavior paints a picture of a woman who is manipulative, controlling, and emotionally unstable. She forces her daughter to choose between her parents and even abuses her children physically. All of these actions have lasting negative effects on Maria, leaving her feeling scared, angry, and sad. Ultimately, Maria recognizes that her relationship with her mother will always be a painful part of her life that she will continue to carry with her.
Line by Line Meaning
The way in which I feel is solely a reflection of you
My emotions are completely intertwined with my experiences with you.
The devastating childhood the powertrip you forced me through
My childhood was deeply traumatizing because of the control and manipulation you exerted over me.
But how could he leave you
I don't understand how anyone could willingly stay with someone as toxic as you.
Could he fuck that whore
Did he cheat on you with someone else?
He left you for
He ended the relationship because of your behavior.
Get revenge
You want to hurt him for leaving you.
And by all means ask your nine-year-old daughter to choose between you
You're willing to manipulate a child to get what you want.
Don't stay friends
You see no value in maintaining a peaceful relationship with your ex-partner.
Now let her in on how he's the devil
You're willing to make baseless accusations against your ex-partner to demonize him in your child's eyes.
He's just been falsely portrayed
Your accusations against your ex-partner are unfounded and untrue.
But force her to go stay at his house once a week
You're willing to inconvenience your child to punish your ex-partner and regain control.
Because you wanna get laid
You're prioritizing your own desires over your child's wellbeing.
Hahaha
You take pleasure in the pain you cause others.
Ask me why he scares me
You're trying to justify your irrational fear and anger towards your ex-partner.
Do you wanna know why I'm angry?
You feel justified in your anger towards others, despite the pain it causes.
Can't you tell I'm crying?
You're expressing your emotions in a desperate attempt to be validated.
Mother I don't feel good
You're expressing your physical and emotional discomfort to your mother.
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
Your toxic behavior and influence will always haunt me.
Your girl's in the bathroom washing her hands again
Your daughter is struggling with anxiety and OCD-like behaviors.
Why doesn't she eat?
Your daughter is experiencing disordered eating habits, likely due to the trauma you've inflicted on her.
Her father left us
Your ex-partner left the relationship because of your behavior.
What about me?
You refuse to take responsibility for the role you played in the relationship's end.
I can't rest
Your own inner turmoil is consuming you.
I can't sleep
Your guilt and anxiety keep you awake at night.
Momma loves you
You're trying to reassure your child of your love, despite your toxic behavior towards her.
I'm just tired of you and your brother's shit
You're not willing to deal with the normal behaviors and emotions of your children.
And I didn't mean to hit you
You acknowledge the physical abuse you've inflicted on your child.
But you were asking for it
You refuse to take responsibility for your own actions and instead blame your child.
You will always be the bitter, saddest part of me
Your toxic behavior and influence will always haunt me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARIA MENA, ARVID SOLVANG, ARVID WAM SOLVANG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind