The song I present here is written from the viewpoint of a woman and her struggles with infertility. The music is simple and repetitive emulating the ‘ticking clock’ and the cyclical nature of female fertility. At 2.20, there is a contrast which represents the despair of the protagonist, but the cyclical guitar pattern continues. 

Lyrically, there is no happy ending, and this highlights the reality of the low success rates of IVF and other assisted reproduction treatments. For women under 35, there is a 40% success rate, and for those over 42, the success rate dramatically drops to just 4%. It can therefore be very disappointing and many couples suffer depression as a result of failed IVF cycles. It is not only an emotional strain, but it can also be a financial strain for many couples. In the UK, the NHS offers three rounds of IVF for women under 40, but after that, the couple must pay themselves and this can cost around £5000. 

Women are often made to feel inadequate if they can’t, or even don’t want to produce children and I challenge the idea of the ‘magic line to happiness’ with the line representing the positive symbol on a pregnancy test. Although this song is about one woman’s struggle with infertility, it brings to life the reality that one in eight couples face. 

Lyrics: 

She feels a rhythmic ticking inside
She wants it to be kicking
Fighting for its life

She wants to feel the good mother
That she sees in magazines
That’s all over our TV

She wants to feel like the good mother
Though she knows its an ideal
She can’t help the way she feels

She wants to see the magic line to happiness
But she’s tried so many times
She’s lost faith in IVF

So mind your own business
Don’t ask about her womb
Don’t assume that she’s like you

Mind your own business
It may be getting late
But we’re not in control of fate

Maybe it won’t happen for her
And it will take her time to recover

So mind your own business
You don’t know what she’s been through 
And the topic’s still taboo

So mind your own business
It may be getting late
But we’re not in control of fate

She wants to see the magic line to happiness
She wants to see the magic line to happiness

She wants to feel like the good mother
That she sees in magazines
That’s all over our TVs