Matthew Arnold Thiessen (born on August 12, 1980 in St. Catharines, Ontario… Read Full Bio ↴Matthew Arnold Thiessen (born on August 12, 1980 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) most notably is the lead singer, guitarist, pianist, and primary songwriter for the Christian rock band Relient K. He founded the band with fellow guitarist Matt Hoopes and bassist Brian Pittman in 1997. His songs generally draw influence from both his Christian faith and adolescent past.

His parents were divorced when he was only six years old. Later, his mother remarried and he moved to Canton, Ohio. Shortly after this, he met two of his best friends and future bandmates, Hoopes and Pittman. As a teenager Thiessen was well known for his very authentic goat impressions. The Beach Boys and The Beatles are two of his biggest musical influences. He likes wearing plaid, but doesn't like high-tops. He is loveable toward all animals (especially penguins). Thiessen is also known for being a prankster. Some of his favorite memories include getting massive sunburns and riding a yacht in Jacksonville, Florida. He now resides in Bolivar, Ohio. Some of his hardcore fans call him "Matty T" or "T-Sun."

In addition to being in Relient K, Thissen plays in his own solo piano project called Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes. The songs are typically emotional and very personal. He currently has 6 songs produced for many different CDs, including various compilation albums.

While primarily seen playing the guitar and the piano, it is said that Thiessen can play ten instruments. Other known instruments that he can play include bass, drums, bells, organ and trumpet.

Forward Motion
Matthew Thiessen Lyrics

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Whoa - oah
I've been banging my head against the wall
Whoa- oah
For so long it seems I knocked it down
Yeah it got knocked down
Whoa- oah
And the heating bill went through the roof
Whoa- oah

And the wall I knocked down is the proof
That my landlord needed to kick me out
I got evicted now I'm living on the street
My spirits lifted, oh wait that wasn't me
Too many turns, have turned out to be wrong
This time I learned that, I knew it all along
Got crashed where you burn and I'll be what you were
Whoa- oah
And I'll see what I should, and I'll see that its good, that its good

To experience the bitter-sweet, to taste defeat
Then brush your teeth
Experience, the bitter-sweet, to taste defeat
Then brush your teeth

Cause I struggle with forward motion
I struggle with forward motion
We all struggle with forward motion

Cause forward motion is harder then it sounds
Well everytime I get some ground I gotta turn myself around again
It's harder then it sounds
Well everytime I get some ground I gotta turn myself around again

Whoa- oah
I've been banging my head against the wall
Whoa- oah
For so long it seems I've got knocked out
Yeah got knocked out cold
Whoa- oah

And the medical bills went through the roof
And the scar on my head is the proof, that I'll still remember this when I get old
I got evicted now I'm living on the street
My spirits lifted, oh wait that wasn't me
Too many turns, have turned out to be wrong
This time I learned that, I knew it all along
Well I grasped to concept that I'll sleep where you slept
Whoa- oah
Well I know I need help when I allow my self
Allow myself

To experience the bitter-sweet, to taste defeat
Then brush your teeth
Experience, the bitter-sweet, to taste defeat
Then brush your teeth

Cause I struggle with forward motion
I struggle with forward motion
We all struggle with forward motion

Cause forward motion is harder then it sounds
Well everytime I get some ground I gotta turn myself around again
It's harder then it sounds
Well everytime I get some ground I gotta turn myself around again

Cause I struggle with forward motion
I struggle with forward motion
We all struggle with forward motion
Cause I struggle with forward motion
I struggle with forward motion

We all struggle with forward motion
Well everytime I get some ground I gotta turn myself around again
Cause I struggle with forward motion

I struggle with forward motion
We all struggle with forward motion

Overall Meaning

The song “Forward Motion” by Matthew Thiessen tells the story of a person who has been banging their head against a wall for a long time, figuratively speaking. They may have been trying to achieve something, working towards a goal, or perhaps just stuck in a rut. However, in their effort to break through the wall, they end up knocking it down completely, and as a result, they get evicted from their place. They find themselves on the street, feeling confused and lost. But as they struggle to find their footing again, they realize that sometimes it takes experiencing failure and defeat in order to move forward. The bitter-sweet taste teaches a lesson and brushing one's teeth is a fresh start, to try again.

The lyric “cause forward motion is harder than it sounds” repeats throughout the song, suggesting that it’s easy to get stuck in a pattern of not moving forward. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the struggle that everyone experiences when they try to move forward. Thiessen conveys that accepting failure and adapting to change is the key to overcoming struggles in life, to continue trying despite the setback, and to reach the final destination.

Line by Line Meaning

Whoa- oah
Expressing frustration and exhaustion from banging one's head against a wall

I've been banging my head against the wall
Having been struggling to overcome an obstacle for a long time

For so long it seems I knocked it down
Finally making progress but realizing it has negative consequences

And the heating bill went through the roof
Suffering financial repercussions from knocking down a wall

And the wall I knocked down is the proof That my landlord needed to kick me out
The consequences of one's actions leading to eviction and homelessness

Too many turns have turned out to be wrong
Past mistakes leading to a fear of taking risks and making decisions

This time I learned that, I knew it all along
Realizing the truth that was always present but not fully recognized until now

To experience the bitter-sweet, to taste defeat Then brush your teeth
Embracing the ups and downs of life and taking care of oneself

Cause forward motion is harder than it sounds
Recognizing the difficulty in making progress and moving forward

Every time I get some ground I gotta turn myself around again
Feeling like progress is being made only to encounter obstacles and setbacks

And the medical bills went through the roof And the scar on my head is the proof, that I'll still remember this when I get old
Suffering physical consequences from actions, leading to a lasting memory

Well I grasped to concept that I'll sleep where you slept
Realizing a need for support and learning from others' experiences

I know I need help when I allow myself
Acknowledging the need for assistance and support

We all struggle with forward motion
Recognizing a common struggle to overcome obstacles and make progress

Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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