Goin' Thru the Motions
Michael W. Smith Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Actions have been justified
All is compromised
Looking for approval there
In someone else's eyes, oh
Dodging all you really are
Becomes your greatest task
Acting out your lonely part
You hide behind your mask

Never true to yourself
Knowing well this is not like you
Fooling yourself
You're just living a lie

Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions

Victim of the circumstance
Prisoner of the shame
But it's the double standard life
That keeps you in the game
Taken by your own disguise
But when it's wearing thin
You'll do anything it takes
To impress your friends

Never true to yourself
Knowing well this is not like you
Fooling yourself
You're just living a lie

Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions

Never true to yourself
Knowing well this is not like you
Fooling yourself
You're just living a lie

Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions
Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions




Goin' goin'
Goin' through the motions

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Michael W. Smith's song "Goin' Thru the Motions" speak to the struggle of conforming to societal pressures and expectations, even when it means sacrificing one's own authenticity and true self. The first verse acknowledges the difficulty of breaking free from this cycle, as it becomes habit to hide behind a mask and play a role that is expected of us. The second verse speaks to the shame and guilt that can come along with this, as we are held captive by our own facade and the pressure to impress others.


The chorus repeats the phrase "goin' through the motions" as a reminder of the repeated patterns we fall into when we prioritize external validation over our own genuine emotions and desires. The verses and chorus together paint a picture of a person who is stuck in a cycle of performative behavior, living a life that is not entirely their own and struggling to break free from the expectations of others.


Overall, the song serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of living a life that is not true to oneself and encourages listeners to find the strength to break free from societal expectations and live authentically.


Line by Line Meaning

Actions have been justified
Justification has been made for the actions that have been taken


All is compromised
The situation is in a state of compromise


Looking for approval there
Searching for acceptance from others


In someone else's eyes, oh
In the perception of another person


Dodging all you really are
Avoiding your true self


Becomes your greatest task
Becomes the most important thing to do


Acting out your lonely part
Pretending to be someone else to hide loneliness


You hide behind your mask
You conceal your true self from others


Never true to yourself
You are not honest with yourself


Knowing well this is not like you
You are aware that this is not how you want to act


Fooling yourself
You are deceiving yourself


You're just living a lie
You are leading a false life


Goin' goin'
Continuously moving forward


Goin' through the motions
Going through the routine without feeling a true sense of purpose or direction


Victim of the circumstance
Someone who is affected by the situation they find themselves in


Prisoner of the shame
Feeling trapped by the guilt or embarrassment that comes with a situation


But it's the double standard life
There are two different sets of expectations that exist in life


That keeps you in the game
That forces you to continue playing the game


Taken by your own disguise
Trapped by the mask that you have created for yourself


But when it's wearing thin
But when the mask is becoming less effective


You'll do anything it takes
You will go to great lengths to maintain the illusion


To impress your friends
To gain the admiration of those around you


Goin' goin'
Continuously moving forward


Goin' through the motions
Going through the routine without feeling a true sense of purpose or direction


Never true to yourself
You are not honest with yourself


Knowing well this is not like you
You are aware that this is not how you want to act


Fooling yourself
You are deceiving yourself


You're just living a lie
You are leading a false life


Goin' goin'
Continuously moving forward


Goin' through the motions
Going through the routine without feeling a true sense of purpose or direction


Goin' goin'
Continuously moving forward


Goin' through the motions
Going through the routine without feeling a true sense of purpose or direction


Goin' goin'
Continuously moving forward


Goin' through the motions
Going through the routine without feeling a true sense of purpose or direction


Goin' goin'
Continuously moving forward


Goin' through the motions
Going through the routine without feeling a true sense of purpose or direction




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KIRKPATRICK, SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Elsa Chapa Mendoza


on Above All

i love it thank you so much god is good !!

More Versions