Inertia – English Lyrics

• By: AJR
• Album: The Maybe Man

Lyrics & Translation

Delve into 'Inertia' by AJR, a powerful pop track that vividly portrays the universal feeling of being stuck in life's routines despite the desire for change. Its direct and introspective lyrics offer an excellent opportunity to explore English vocabulary related to emotions, daily struggles, and self-reflection, while its unique musical style makes the learning experience engaging and memorable. Discover how AJR uses compelling storytelling to make complex feelings accessible through song.

[English]

(Inertia) I've worn the same skinny jeans

Since I was 15, it's probably nothing

(Inertia) my friends say they're quitting this week

To chase down their dreams, they're probably bluffin' but

Don't you like it bigger, better?

But you do what you can (do what you can)

Don't you like a little better

When you don't understand? (Don't understand)

I was gonna save the planet, but today, I got plans

I guess this is just what I am

I'm an object in motion, I've lost all emotion

My two legs are broken, but look at me dance

An object in motion, don't ask where I'm going

'Cause where I am goin' is right where I am (oh, man)

Oh-ah, oh-ah

Where I am going is right where I am

(Inertia) you said you'd break up with her

But she met your family and dating's the worst, yeah

(Inertia) now you're not in love anymore

But you'll stick it out for like 20 years more, sayin'

(Oh) don't you like it bigger, better?

But you do what you can (do what you can)

Don't you like a little better

When you don't understand? (Don't understand)

I was gonna save the planet, but today, I got plans

I guess this is just what I am

I'm an object in motion, I've lost all emotion

My two legs are broken, but look at me dance

An object in motion, don't ask where I'm going

'Cause where I am goin' is right where I am (oh, man)

Oh-ah, oh-ah

Where I am going is right where I am (oh, man)

Oh-ah, oh-ah

Where I am going is right where I am

(Inertia) I wanna move out of this town

But everyone knows me and packing is tiring

(Inertia) I said I would start working out

But I'm fucking hungry, and screw you, I'm trying

(Inertia) I wanna be big like my plans

So why am I so tiny, and why am I so mad?

It's inertia, guess this is just what I am

I'm stuck in this life, and I'm stuck in these pants

...

I'm an object in motion, I've lost all emotion

My two legs are broken, but look at me dance (look at me dance)

An object in motion, don't ask where I'm going

'Cause where I am goin' is right where I am (oh, man)

(Oh-ah) don't you like it bigger, better?

But (oh-ah) you do what you can

Where I am going is right where I am (right where I am)

(Oh-ah) don't you like it bigger, better?

But (oh-ah) you do what you can

Where I am going is right where I am

Oh, inertia

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
inertia /ɪˈnɜːrʃə/ C2	noun - the tendency of an object to continue in its state of rest or motion unless acted upon by an external force
motion /ˈmoʊʃn̩/ B1	noun - the act or process of moving
object /ˈɑːbdʒɪkt/ A2	noun - a material thing that can be seen and touched
emotion /ɪˈmoʊʃn̩/ B2	noun - a strong feeling such as love, anger, or joy
broken /ˈbroʊkən/ A2	adjective - having been fractured or damaged
dance /dæns/ A1	verb - to move rhythmically to music
chase /tʃeɪs/ B1	verb - to pursue in order to catch or catch up with
save /seɪv/ A2	verb - to keep safe or rescue from danger
planet /ˈplænɪt/ A2	noun - a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star
plans /plænz/ A2	noun - detailed proposals for doing or achieving something
move /muːv/ A1	verb - to change or cause to change position
stuck /stʌk/ B1	adjective - unable to move or be moved
skinny /ˈskɪni/ B1	adjective - very thin
bigger /ˈbɪɡər/ A1	adjective - of large or more than average size
better /ˈbetər/ A1	adjective - of a more excellent or effective type
tiny /ˈtaɪni/ A2	adjective - very small
mad /mæd/ A2	adjective - very angry adjective - mentally ill

Key Grammar Structures

• I've worn the same skinny jeans since I was 15

  ➔ Present Perfect with 'since'

  ➔ The phrase 'I've worn' is in the Present Perfect, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present. 'Since I was 15' specifies the starting point of the action.

• Don't you like it bigger, better?

  ➔ Tag Question

  ➔ The phrase 'Don't you' is a tag question, a short question added to the end of a statement to seek confirmation or agreement.

• I was gonna save the planet, but today, I got plans

  ➔ Past Continuous with 'was gonna'

  ➔ 'Was gonna' is an informal way to express the Past Continuous, indicating a planned action in the past that did not happen. 'I got plans' contrasts with the original intention.

• I'm an object in motion, I've lost all emotion

  ➔ Present Continuous and Present Perfect

  ➔ 'I'm an object in motion' uses the Present Continuous to describe an ongoing state. 'I've lost all emotion' uses the Present Perfect to indicate a past action with present relevance.

• Where I am going is right where I am

  ➔ Present Continuous in a Clause

  ➔ The phrase 'Where I am going' uses the Present Continuous in a clause to describe an ongoing action. 'Is right where I am' contrasts the action with the current state.