Her self-titled debut album, Mathilde Santing, came out in 1982 and she gas released well over fifteen studio albums since, most of them sung in English, although she sometimes performs and records in her mother tongue as well. Known for her whispery and vulnerable vocal style, Santing is a prominent gay role model in The Netherlands. She sang at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1998 Gay Games in Amsterdam.
Santing's biggest chart success came in 1999 with the lush ballad 'Wonderful Life', which hit #6 in the Dutch Top 40. The song was taken from the 1999 album To Others To One, which is her highest charting album in her native Netherlands to date, reaching #4 in the Dutch album charts.
Only a Motion
Mathilde Santing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He talked so happily
Four drinks separated
My behaviour and me
When he slipped the final blow
I fell into the impact
We were only a motion
It's easier now for him
No attempt was even made
He loves you now
Tales slipped out his memory
And easy through his mouth
Guess that just his way of
Smoothing these things out
Finally we spared each other
The labour of regret
'cause that's too hard
We were only a motion
Though tenderly played
It's easier now for him
No attempt was even made
He loves you now
Guess I'll just remember
His hands clean of jewelery
We always had respect
I'd be stupid to turn it into sympathy
One day when he took his life jacket off
I always thought he'd offer it to me
I can't help myself
We were only a motion
Though tenderly played
It's easier now for him
No attempt was even made
He loves you now
The song "Only a Motion" by Mathilde Santing is a melancholic and introspective ballad about a past romantic relationship that was short-lived and ultimately ended without any effort to save it. The singer recalls the sweet moments they shared with their partner, who spoke happily and made them feel special, but also remembers the final blow that led to their breakup. Despite the tenderness of their connection, it was only a fleeting motion, as no attempt was made to salvage it. Instead, the partner moved on and found love elsewhere, leaving the singer with memories and a sense of regret.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on the partner's way of dealing with the situation by smoothing things out with tales that slip out of their memory. This is a sign that they have moved on and have no interest in revisiting the past or reconciling with the singer. The singer acknowledges that it is too hard to labor in regret and accepts that the relationship was only a motion and cannot be salvaged.
The final verse introduces a bittersweet moment where the singer recalls a gesture of love from their partner, who took off their life jacket and offered it to them. This symbolizes protection and care, but also highlights the fact that the opportunity for a deeper emotional connection was missed. The singer is resigned to accept that the relationship was short-lived and that it is better to remember it with respect than turn it into sympathy.
Overall, "Only a Motion" is a contemplative and poignant song that explores the themes of lost love, regret, and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet without the sugar's edge
He spoke kindly and happily without being overly sweet or fake.
He talked so happily
He was genuinely happy and in good spirits during the conversation.
Four drinks separated
They had a few drinks before having a serious conversation about their relationship.
My behaviour and me
She had some insecurities or issues with her behavior that may have contributed to the end of the relationship.
When he slipped the final blow
He delivered some painful news or ended the relationship in a final way.
I fell into the impact
She was deeply affected by what he said or did to end the relationship.
Tales slipped out his memory
He shared stories from the past that he may have forgotten about until that moment.
And easy through his mouth
He spoke freely and comfortably about these memories and stories.
Guess that just his way of
That's just how he copes with difficult situations or emotions.
Smoothing these things out
Sharing stories from the past helps him deal with the present situation and ease any tension.
Finally we spared each other
They both avoided saying or doing anything hurtful or spiteful to each other.
The labour of regret
It's too hard to dwell on the past and regret what's already happened.
We were only a motion
Their relationship was just a fleeting moment or temporary connection.
Though tenderly played
Despite being temporary, there was still care and affection in their interactions.
It's easier now for him
He has moved on and found happiness with someone else.
No attempt was even made
He didn't have to put in much effort to find someone else to love.
He loves you now
He has found true love and happiness with someone else.
Guess I'll just remember
She will simply hold onto certain memories of their relationship.
His hands clean of jewelery
He didn't try to give her any gifts or tokens of affection to ease the ending of the relationship.
We always had respect
Their relationship was built on mutual respect and understanding.
I'd be stupid to turn it into sympathy
She won't try to turn the end of their relationship into a pity party or seek his sympathy out of desperation.
One day when he took his life jacket off
He may have removed a protective layer or facade that he had put up during their relationship.
I always thought he'd offer it to me
She thought he may have opened up more to her or been vulnerable with her instead of hiding behind a facade.
I can't help myself
She still has some lingering feelings or attachment to him despite the end of their relationship.
Contributed by Caleb O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.