It Hurts Until It Doesn't

Mothers' song "It Hurts Until It Doesn't" delves into the complex emotions of self-awareness, unfulfilled promises, and the struggle with one's own ego. The opening lines, "I felt alive for a little while / But when I died I had the time to notice," suggest a fleeting moment of vitality followed by a metaphorical death, which allows for introspection. The singer acknowledges being overwhelmed by their own ego but admits to never being honest enough to confront it. This sets the tone for a song that is deeply introspective and laden with regret.

The lyrics continue to explore the theme of unfulfilled love and the inability to fully commit. The lines, "I felt your love for a little while / But never had the guts to give myself up," reveal a temporary connection that was never fully realized due to a lack of courage. The singer's admission, "I said that I could be just what you wanted / As if I could ever keep a promise," highlights a sense of inadequacy and the realization that they could never meet the expectations set by their partner or themselves.

The recurring line, "You have eyes in every room / But you won't see me," suggests a feeling of invisibility and being overlooked, despite being constantly watched. This could symbolize the emotional distance and lack of true understanding in the relationship. The haunting imagery of being "more than just a song to play / On your haunted tape" evokes a sense of being trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled potential and emotional haunting. The final lines, "I don't like myself / When I'm awake," encapsulate the singer's struggle with self-acceptance and the pain of facing their own shortcomings.