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.
These Shoes
Maria Mena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would cater to your ego and fold my hands in
Prayer for your religion
If you would love me and walk me every day
You said, you said, you said.
You would not let your indecision get
In the way of my night but you still managed
To my little show
I can not walk in these shoes
They hurt my toes
I can not stay in your grip
You hurt my nose
Because you squeeze too hard let go of my head
They said, they said, they said
I should get a hobby like learn
How to play the accordion
To sell some of my records
But my fingers
Can't keep up
I can not walk in these shoes
They hurt my toes
I can not stay in your grip
You hurt my nose
Because you squeeze too hard let go of my head
In Maria Mena's song These Shoes, the singer addresses a partner who has been selfish and unpredictable in their relationship. The first verse speaks to the sacrifices the singer has made for the partner, even compromising their own beliefs and values to please them. The partner promises to love and devote themselves to the singer, but still manages to let their negative traits show through at a critical moment. The chorus of the song consists of the repeated phrase "I can not walk in these shoes, they hurt my toes" which is a metaphor for the singer feeling trapped and inadequate in the relationship.
The second verse shifts to observations from outside critics or advisers, who suggest that the singer find a hobby or improve her craft, but she reveals that it is more difficult than it seems. The song ends with the same chorus statement, reiterating the singer's feelings of frustration and pain in the relationship. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of being in a toxic and unfulfilling relationship where the singer's efforts to please or improve are not reciprocated. This song is a reminder of the importance of setting healthy boundaries and recognizing when a relationship is no longer worth sacrificing for.
Line by Line Meaning
I said I said I said
I would cater to your ego and fold my hands in
Prayer for your religion
If you would love me and walk me every day
I promised to placate your ego and submit to your beliefs if you showed me love and affection.
You said, you said, you said.
You would not let your indecision get
In the way of my night but you still managed
To bring your bad temper
To my little show
You claimed that you wouldn't let your uncertainty interfere with our night, but you still managed to ruin our time with your anger during my performance.
I can not walk in these shoes
They hurt my toes
I can not stay in your grip
You hurt my nose
Because you squeeze too hard let go of my head
I can't handle being in a relationship with you anymore because it's physically and emotionally painful. You cling too tightly and won't let me go.
They said, they said, they said
I should get a hobby like learn
How to play the accordion
To sell some of my records
But my fingers
Can't keep up
Others suggested that I find a hobby to make myself more marketable, such as playing the accordion. However, I struggle with keeping up with it and may not be successful.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARIA MENA, ARVID WAM SOLVANG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind