Aquarium
Me'shell Ndegéocello & The Spirit Music Jamia Lyrics


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Sabina Sciubba:

Hmm, hmm, hmm

I'm a fish in an aquarium
Cut off from the outside world
The water's always lukewarm
And i observe

Hardly anyone takes notice of me
But I am, here
Quietly floating
My lips, moving
Just like yours

Always in motion
You, never seem to rest
Through my reflection
I watch you
Why do you keep me here, like this

I'm a fish in an aquarium
Cut off from the outside world
The water's always lukewarm
And i observe

No storms in these waters
So quiet, they're turning stale
Sometimes the tension
Keeps me hanging on each day
Each day

Will you starve me or feed me
I never really know
This love
My mountain
My detention
I'm dying slowly

I'm a fish in an aquarium
Cut off from the outside world
The water's always lukewarm
And I observe

I just want to fall
Fall

I'm a fish in an aquarium
And so i will remain
Where i slowly stir the water
And everyday's the same
The same
The same
The same
The same




The same
The same

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Aquarium" by Me'shell Ndegéocello & The Spirit Music Jamia present a metaphor that depicts the feeling of being confined in a relationship. The singer compares herself to a fish in an aquarium. The water in the tank is always lukewarm and there are never any storms, but she feels cut off from the outside world. She watches her partner through the tank's reflection, observing his constant motion and wondering why he keeps her in this confinement. She feels trapped, uncertain whether she'll be starved or fed, and wonders if this love is her mountain or her detention.


The chorus is particularly poignant, as the singer repeats "I'm a fish in an aquarium, cut off from the outside world, the water's always lukewarm and I observe." She feels trapped and alone, without anyone noticing her or paying attention to her. She dreams of falling, of escaping from the confinement that is stifling her. The lyrics highlight the suffocating feeling of being trapped in a relationship but struggling to leave because of the fear of the unknown outside world.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a fish in an aquarium
I am isolated and confined in a small space, much like a fish that is trapped in an aquarium.


Cut off from the outside world
I am separated from the rest of the world and cannot experience the freedom and diversity that it offers.


The water's always lukewarm
The environment I am in is stagnant and monotonous, providing no opportunities for growth and development.


And i observe
I am aware of my surroundings, watching and perceiving everything that goes on around me.


Hardly anyone takes notice of me
I am often overlooked and ignored by others, as they do not acknowledge my existence or worth.


But I am, here
Despite being ignored, I am still present and alive, and deserve to be seen and heard.


Quietly floating
I am calm and peaceful, even in my isolation and confinement.


My lips, moving
I may be speaking and expressing myself, but no one is listening or responding.


Just like yours
Even though we may seem different, we all experience isolation and disconnection at times.


Always in motion
Life is constantly moving and changing, and we must adapt to survive.


You, never seem to rest
There is always something to do or someone to please, and we often neglect our own needs and desires.


Through my reflection
I see myself in others, and can relate to their struggles and experiences.


I watch you
I am observant and attuned to others, even though they may not notice me.


Why do you keep me here, like this
I question why I am stuck in this situation, and wonder if there is a way out.


No storms in these waters
My environment is stable and predictable, but also stagnant and lacking in excitement or challenge.


So quiet, they're turning stale
The lack of change or growth is making my life feel stagnant and unfulfilling.


Sometimes the tension
Occasionally, there is some excitement or drama that adds some variety to my mundane existence.


Keeps me hanging on each day
Even though life can be difficult, I find a reason to keep going and persevering.


Will you starve me or feed me
I question whether my needs will be met and whether I will continue to survive in this situation.


I never really know
I am uncertain of what the future holds and whether I will be able to escape my present circumstances.


This love
My attachment to this situation, even though it is negative, is like a kind of love that is hard to break.


My mountain
This challenge is like a mountain that must be climbed, and each day is a struggle to overcome it.


My detention
Being trapped in this situation is like being imprisoned, with no clear way out.


I'm dying slowly
My spirit and soul are slowly being eroded by the negative and stagnant environment in which I am trapped.


I just want to fall
I long for a change and a new experience, even if it means taking a risk or letting go of what is familiar.


And so i will remain
Even though I wish for change, I am still limited by my circumstances and unable to escape them.


Where i slowly stir the water
In my limited environment, I can only make small ripples and changes that do not fundamentally alter the situation.


And everyday's the same
I am stuck in a repetitive and monotonous routine that offers little variation or excitement.


The same
Reiterating that each day is repetitive and lacking in novelty or excitement.


The same
Reiterating that each day is repetitive and lacking in novelty or excitement.


The same
Reiterating that each day is repetitive and lacking in novelty or excitement.


The same
Reiterating that each day is repetitive and lacking in novelty or excitement.


The same
Reiterating that each day is repetitive and lacking in novelty or excitement.




Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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