Relient K – Forward Motion

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Whoa-o... I've been banging my head against the wall
Whoa-o... for so long it seems I knocked it down, yeah it got knocked down
Whoa-o... and the heating bill went through the roof
Whoa-o... and the wall I knocked down was 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

When car crashes occur
Then I'll be what you were
When I see what I should
When I see that it's good (that it's good)

To experience the bittersweet
To taste defeat
Then brush my teeth
Experience the bittersweet
To taste defeat
Then brush my teeth

'Cause I struggle with forward motion
I struggle with forward motion
We all struggle with forward motion
'Cause forward motion is harder than it sounds

Well every time I gain some ground
I gotta turn myself around again
It's harder than it sounds
Well every time I gain some ground
I gotta turn myself around again

Whoa-o... I've been banging my head against the wall
Whoa-o... for so long it seems I got knocked out. yeah, I got knocked out cold
Whoa-o... and the medical bills went through the roof
Whoa-o... 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

When I grasp the concept
Then I'll sleep where you slept
When I know I need help
When I allow myself (allow myself)

To experience the bittersweet
To taste defeat
Then brush your teeth
Experience the bittersweet
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 than it sounds
Well every time I gain some ground
I gotta turn myself around again
It's harder than it sounds
Well every time I gain some ground
I gotta turn myself around again

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

('Cause forward motion is harder than it sounds.
Well every time I gain some ground
I gotta turn myself around again
Cause forward motion is harder than it sounds
Well every time I gain some ground
I gotta turn myself around again)

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

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

Send "Forward Motion" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by rjbucs28

Track duration: 03:57

"Forward Motion" as written by Matthew Arnold Thiessen

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Forward Motion song meanings
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17 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:I know Relient K's reputation as a Christian band, but I'm not sure as to why people are saying this song specifically replies to religion? If you ask me, it's about "forward motion" and "change" in general, not specifically about "getting closer to god". I'd say this is one of the songs they've written that barely have any religious relation, contary to songs like "Maybe it's Maybelline" and "When I Go Down" where 'god' is actually specifically mentioned.

    On the other hand, loads of Relient K's songs can be interpreted in various ways as they're often about larger subjects.
    Flag Mozaredon December 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When I grasp this concept
    Then i'll sleep where you slept
    When i know i need help
    When i allow myself
    To experience the bittersweet, to taste defeat, then brush my teeth
    what does that mean...i always thought he was talking about jesus but i guess that doesnt really make sense...so whats it about?
    Flag music_fanatic92on December 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:afoolishtradgedy: i thought that's what they were saying to! hahaa.
    Flag rockstar_reactionon October 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I got evicted now i'm living on the street
    My spirits lifted.. oh wait, that wasnt me
    Too many turns have turned out to be wrong
    This time I learned that, i knew it all along

    I really like this part, especially the second line. Things get better in life and we feel better, but then we realize that it isn't us, it's God.
    Flag donkeykong325on March 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is delightful lyrically except for the mild surrendering of lyrical content for rhyming. The song's about how he can't ever seem to get ahead. No matter what he does, he stays where he is. Yet he knows it's his own fault. He knows that if he could just accept the bittersweet aspects of life and continue,he'd be able to make progress, and become who he wants. But he's still struggling with being able to take life as it comes, he keeps trying to avoid the pain. Yet to move forward, he has to accept it all, the good, and the bad.
    Flag theothroneprcenton January 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:You know i really dont think that the specific lyrics in this mean anything in particular like in some songs. like 'evicted' doesnt really mean condemned or anything. i think this whole song would mean just as much if i said "forward motion is hard" over and over. i dont think i would love it as much if it was like that tho
    Flag not_cinderellaon January 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"experience the bittersweet taste defeat the brush my teeth", my fave part and I reckon that its talking about times when u have 'failed' or felt defeated but you gotta get on with it, pick yourself up and get that awful aftertaste of defeat out of your mouth "brush your teeth"
    Flag clairpatraon January 04, 2006   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:hahahaha I totally thought they said "experience the bittersweet taste of feet", I was like "..woah..gross.." then I came here and checked the lyrics, hahahahaha. awman.
    Flag afoolishtragedyon January 23, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i love this song. "to experience the bitter sweet, to taste defeat then brush my teeth" it just goes to show that even when you are going through hard times, some good WILL come out of it.. because atleast making it through hard times makes you stronger and smarter. and also it's good to experience bad things, because it makes you appreciate good things all the more.
    Flag musickid07on November 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is so awesome. I guess it means that it is hard to accomplish things important, hence the "forward motion" theme..
    Flag Kaylaaaaon November 01, 2004   Link

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