Compulsion
Martin L. Gore Lyrics
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And refusing to stretch
That indefinable nothing
Somehow keeps pushing you
Finding the right words
Can be a problem
How many times must it be said
There's no plan
Got to move on sometime
And it's about time
By putting one foot in front of another
And repeating the process
Cross over the street
You're free to change your mind
Strength through diversity
Couldn't have put it more plainly
Got to move on sometime
Charms in limited supply
Under threat of extinction
That indefinable nothing
Somehow motivates you
Finding the right words
Can be a problem
How many times must it be said
There's no plan
It had to happen
Got to move on sometime
And it's about time
By putting one foot in front of another
And repeating the process
Cross over the street
You're free to change your mind
Strength through diversity
Couldn't have put it more plainly
Got to move on sometime
The lyrics of Compulsion by Martin L. Gore showcase the idea of moving forward in life, even when faced with a lack of answers or a plan for the future. The first stanza explores the concept of limited resources, whether it be tangible or intangible. The line "charms in limited supply and refusing to stretch" could refer to physical objects of limited quantity, but it may also reflect a limitation on emotional or mental strength. Gore then brings in the idea of something intangible, an "indefinable nothing" that continues to push the character forward despite the lack of clarity. The idea of finding the right words and expressing oneself also factors prominently in the song. Gore notes that this can be a problem and highlights the difficulty in communicating oneself through creative means. The repeated line "there's no plan" emphasizes the need to accept uncertainty and continue forging ahead.
The second stanza takes the themes of the first and continues to develop them. Here the limited supply is "under threat of extinction," and Gore seems to be referencing the scarcity of something more existential. The indefinable nothing becomes a motivator as opposed to a push. The idea of finding the right words reappears, but this time it's qualified with "can be a problem." This suggests that sometimes words are hard to come by or difficult to express, or sometimes there just aren't any words at all. The song concludes with the repeated line of "got to move on sometime," emphasizing the need to keep going even in the absence of a plan - putting one foot in front of the other and continuing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Charms in limited supply
Things that attract you are rare and becoming less common.
And refusing to stretch
Those things won't change for you, so you must change for them.
That indefinable nothing
The emptiness you feel inside that drives you to seek out something more.
Somehow keeps pushing you
That emptiness will continue to motivate and influence you.
Finding the right words
Expressing your feelings and thoughts effectively and clearly is difficult.
Can be a problem
It's not an easy task to do, and requires much time, thought, and effort.
How many times must it be said
This thought/feeling/action is important, and must be repeated often.
There's no plan
There is no certain path or predetermined destination in life that we are aware of.
It had to happen
This event was inevitable or unavoidable.
Got to move on sometime
We must continue to live our lives, even when things don't go according to plan or when we face hardships.
And it's about time
The time has come for us to accept this and move on.
By putting one foot in front of another
Taking small, consistent steps is the key to making progress and finding a new path forward.
And repeating the process
Persistence and dedication to this process is vital to your success.
Cross over the street
Embrace change and new opportunities, even if it's uncomfortable or unfamiliar.
You're free to change your mind
Don't be afraid to alter your course if it no longer serves you or if you discover something better.
Strength through diversity
Our differences and unique qualities make us stronger and more powerful as a whole.
Couldn't have put it more plainly
This message couldn't be any clearer or more straightforward.
Got to move on sometime
Repeating this thought emphasizes the importance of moving on from the past and looking to the future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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@tomaszmalarczyk4418
Got to move on sometime
And it's about time
By putting one foot in front of another
And repeating the process
Cross over the street
You're free to change your mind
Strength through diversity
Couldn't have put it more plainly
Got to move on sometime
Got to move on sometime
Got to move on sometime
Got to move on sometime
just marvellous
@wojciechmodrzewski1613
❤ love it very much. Anybody in 2023?😊
@AndreaAnd-gg4ye
@jeffcase582
2024 and the song still kicks ass! The beat and the lyrics are outstanding!💥 Never get tired of this amazing track!
@TheHousemen
I am listening to this song in 2024
@anyanikolaeva9619
@@TheHousemenme too! ♥️
@dianamiino7391
Meeeeee ❤
@TheHousemen
I love it very much. Antibody in 2024?
@lisavancoevering8646
If it wasn't for Depeche mode I probably wouldn't have been able to get through this life, I was bullied and music helped me get through so many tragedies especially when my father killed himself when I was twelve thank you for your music
@noChil63
I hope now your life has become better. Wish you happiness.
@HeyManifesto
I’m turning 53 and this music saved my life multiple times