The song "I Forget Myself" by Henry Jamison explores themes of memory, identity, and self-reflection. The lyrics depict a sense of forgetfulness and a longing for remembering and understanding one's past. The opening lines reflect on the miracle of existence, mentioning how the odds were low for the speaker's birth. They grew up slowly, navigating through various experiences and storms that shaped who they are today. However, despite these formative experiences, they struggle to remember and reconcile their past, hence the line, "I can't remember now, I forget myself." The chorus raises the hypothetical question of what would happen if the speaker could remember all the time. It suggests that it might bring about a sense of confusion or disorientation, blurring the lines between the past and future. The second stanza introduces a romantic relationship with someone who was also unlikely to be present. The speaker and this person fell in love, but similar to their personal memories, the details of this relationship also elude them. This further highlights the theme of forgetting oneself. The bridge describes the inner workings of the mind, which sometimes descends from heavenly thoughts to darker ones. The speaker acknowledges their tendency to complain, wait, and hesitate when confronted with memories or self-reflection, expressing regret for losing themselves in the process. The final repetition of the chorus and last line, "I'm sorry I forget myself," shows a yearning to regain a sense of self-awareness and understanding. It embodies a desire to remember and make sense of one's experiences, ultimately finding a way to reconcile their past with their present identity. Overall, "I Forget Myself" delves into the complexities of memory and the search for self-understanding, contemplating the significance of remembering and the impact forgetting can have on one's identity.
