Momentum
mann aimee Lyrics
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I've allowed my fears
To get larger than life
And it's brought me to my current agendum
Whereupon I deny fulfillment has yet to arrive
And I know life is getting shorter
I can't bring myself to set the scene
I've got my routine
Oh, for the sake of momentum
Even thought I agree with that stuff
About seizing the day
But I hate to think of effort expended
All those minutes and days and hours
I've have frittered away
And I know life is getting shorter
I can't bring myself to set the scene
Even when it's approaching torture
I've got my routine
But I can't confront the doubts I have
I can't admit that maybe the past was bad
And so, for the sake of momentum,
I'm condemning the future to death
So it can match the past
In "Momentum," singer-songwriter Aimee Mann reflects on her fear of change and the comfort of routine. She admits to allowing her fears to become so overwhelming that they've prevented her from fully embracing life and fulfilling her potential. The line "And it's brought me to my current agendum, whereupon I deny fulfillment has yet to arrive" suggests that she's become stuck in a self-reinforcing cycle of fear and avoidance. Despite knowing that life is short and that she should seize the day, she finds herself unable to take action.
The chorus, "Oh, for the sake of momentum," reflects Mann's ambivalent feelings about change. On one hand, she acknowledges that momentum is necessary for progress and growth. On the other hand, she's afraid of expending the effort required to make changes and is comfortable with her current routine. She laments the time she's wasted and the opportunities she's missed by succumbing to her fear.
The final verse, "But I can't confront the doubts I have / I can't admit that maybe the past was bad / And so, for the sake of momentum, / I'm condemning the future to death / So it can match the past," brings the song full circle. Mann admits that her fear of change is driven by doubts and regrets about the past. By refusing to confront those doubts and admit to herself that the past was less than ideal, she's consigning herself to a life of stagnation and missed opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, for the sake of momentum
I am driven by the need to keep moving forward and not lose the pace.
I've allowed my fears
I have let my anxieties take over my life and control my actions.
To get larger than life
My fears have become so intense that they seem to dominate and overwhelm me.
And it's brought me to my current agendum
My fears have led me to where I am currently and shaped my current goals and aspirations.
Whereupon I deny fulfillment has yet to arrive
Despite my efforts, I cannot seem to find satisfaction or fulfillment, and I deny that it even exists.
And I know life is getting shorter
I am aware that time is passing quickly and that life is fleeting.
I can't bring myself to set the scene
Despite my awareness of the preciousness of time, I cannot motivate myself to take action towards my goals.
Even when it's approaching torture
Even though I feel like I am stuck and unfulfilled, I cannot muster the courage and strength to push myself beyond my routine.
I've got my routine
I am comfortable in my day-to-day life and find solace in my repetitive routine.
Even though I agree with that stuff
Despite my recognition of the importance of taking action, I cannot seem to apply it to my own life.
About seizing the day
I understand the concept of living in the present and making the most of every moment.
But I hate to think of effort expended
Despite my recognition of the value of taking action, I fear the effort required and the possibility of failure.
All those minutes and days and hours
I am aware of the amount of time that has passed and the possibility of wasting it.
I've have frittered away
Despite my awareness, I have wasted much of my time and have not made significant progress towards my goals.
But I can't confront the doubts I have
I struggle to face and address my insecurities and fears.
I can't admit that maybe the past was bad
I cannot accept that past experiences, choices, or actions may have been detrimental and have contributed to my current situation.
And so, for the sake of momentum,
In order to keep moving forward, I continue to ignore my doubts and fears.
I'm condemning the future to death
By ignoring my inner struggles and failing to take action to improve my situation, I am dooming my future to be as unfulfilling as my present.
So it can match the past
I fear that my future will be as dissatisfying and uneventful as my past, so I continue to avoid taking action and remain stagnant.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aimee Mann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind