Aquarium
Meshell Ndegeocello Feat. Sabina Sciubba Lyrics
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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
The lyrics of “Aquarium” by Meshell Ndegeocello, featuring Sabina Sciubba, revolve around the feeling of isolation and confinement that both artists experience, just like they are fish trapped in an aquarium, cut off from the outside world. Sabina begins by describing the aquarium and the water in which she exists, which is always lukewarm. She watches people outside the aquarium, but no one takes notice of her. She observes her own reflection in the water and feels like she is always in motion, unlike the outside world, which seems to move slowly. She wonders why she is kept in the aquarium and imagines whether she will be starved or fed.
Later, she describes the absence of storms in the water, which makes it stale and mundane. However, sometimes the tension keeps her hanging on. She is not sure whether she will be fed or neglected. She describes how the aquarium is like a detention center, but also like a mountain. Her love for the aquarium makes her feel like she is dying slowly, and she wishes for it to end.
The chorus of the song repeats the line, “I'm a fish in an aquarium, cut off from the outside world, the water's always lukewarm, and I observe,” which emphasizes the monotony and mundanity of her life.
Overall, the song provides a mood of confinement, isolation, and longing for freedom. Both artists express their feelings of being trapped like fish in an aquarium, unable to venture out into the world and experience new things.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a fish in an aquarium
I feel trapped and isolated
Cut off from the outside world
I am disconnected from the world around me
The water's always lukewarm
My life is stagnant and unchanging
And I observe
I am a silent observer of my own life
Hardly anyone takes notice of me
I feel invisible and alone
But I am, here
I exist, even if unnoticed
Quietly floating
I am adrift and aimless
My lips, moving
I am speaking, even if unheard
Just like yours
I am not so different from those around me
Always in motion
Life keeps moving, even if I feel stuck
You, never seem to rest
Others keep going, even if I cannot keep up
Through my reflection
I see myself, but often distorted by my surroundings
I watch you
I am an observer of others, even if they do not notice me
Why do you keep me here, like this
I question my circumstances and my role in them
No storms in these waters
My life is calm, but also stagnant
So quiet, they're turning stale
My surroundings are suffocating
Sometimes the tension
There is underlying turmoil, even if not visible
Keeps me hanging on each day
I am barely able to cling to hope and possibility
Will you starve me or feed me
I question whether my circumstances will improve or worsen
I never really know
I am uncertain about what the future holds for me
This love
My current circumstances are a mixed blessing
My mountain
My struggles are a heavy burden
My detention
My life feels like a form of imprisonment
I'm dying slowly
My situation is slowly suffocating me
I just want to fall
I long for escape from my current life
And so I will remain
Despite my struggles, I am stuck where I am
Where I slowly stir the water
I am only able to create small ripples in my life
And everyday's the same
My life is monotonous and unchanging
The same
I am trapped in a repetitive cycle
The same
I am powerless to break free from my circumstances
The same
My life is a stagnant, unchanging aquarium
The same
I am unable to move forward or grow
The same
My life is a constant, repetitious struggle
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@w.l.barlow8014
First off, Thank you, Gentle Logansaan for uploading this delightful selection from one of her best albums, of which I have all. If you have no objections, am attaching the Lyrics so all can reap the benefit and enhance the listening experience.
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...
@DesireeAnnette
W.L. Barlow Thanks for providing these beautiful lyrics. You are loved.
@suaggysounds
I really appreciate it! Thanks
@MTGHugo
My fucking god. This is incredible.
@logansaan
Hugo N All of her music is incredible ❤️
@iblamesummers
thank you Frankie Burns.
@frankieburns5091
lol yw!