Before You I Just Forget Lyrics – Fontaines D.C.

Before You I Just Forget Lyrics Meaning

[Chorus]
In the chorus, the speaker talks about suppressing their true self because they feel that’s what others expect. “Decapitate the shine” suggests dulling their brightness or individuality to fit in. They pretend to be okay, even though they’re not, just to please others. It’s a feeling of having to hide their true emotions and personality to be accepted, repeating that people prefer them this way.

[Verse 1]
Here, the singer expresses exhaustion and loss of identity. They feel like they’ve given all they have, but there’s nothing left to offer. Their life seems like it’s been sold off in pieces, and they’re stuck following others’ expectations. The “faces with all the tales of escaping” suggests being surrounded by people who talk about leaving their problems behind, while the singer feels drained and unable to keep up. They used to believe they could handle everything, but now, they realize they’ve forgotten what truly matters to them.

[Chorus]
This chorus repeats the idea of hiding who they are for the sake of others. The singer continues to pretend everything’s fine, again “decapitating the shine” to blend in with what others want. It emphasizes the pressure of fitting into societal expectations and the feeling of erasing their true self to make others comfortable.

[Verse 2]
In this verse, the singer criticizes society’s reward system, where those who are loud or brave are praised, but those who don’t stand out are ignored. They reflect on a person they imagined could be cold and mysterious, but they failed to capture the moment, perhaps losing touch with important parts of themselves. The “laugh from the gallows” suggests dark humor or coping with difficult situations. They also mention that the “showmanship is expired,” implying the façade they once put on has worn out, and the relationship they had is no longer the same, as the emotional connection has faded.

[Chorus]
The repetition of the chorus reinforces the feeling of pretending to be something they’re not, again highlighting the struggle to meet others’ expectations. The singer continues to mute their real self, hiding their true feelings and pretending to be okay just for others’ approval. It’s a continuous cycle of self-erasure.

[Outro]
The outro is a final, simple repetition of “decapitate the shine,” underscoring the theme of suppressing one’s true self, with no more words needed to express the ongoing battle to fit into society’s mold.