This is an amazing song and clip, and here's why. Inevitably, Jen feels envy over Courtney's success. They don't tour together, for reasons outlined in another song of hers, from the same album. They spend a lot of time apart. They communicate sporadically through long distance, which as she says, can leave vacancies in replies where the anxious mind can run wild and fill in blanks, dangerously. Forgetting Myself relates to forgetting the solidness of one's relationship and having those anxieties and fears run rampant, and take control. As she's searching for her 'partner' (herself), as everyone else pictured has another 'self' that they interact with. She has no balance, no calming internal voice. She has no reflection. As she tries to rediscover herself, to regain control; she causes damage and destruction while she's trying to 'remember' herself. And she's self aware through all of it, but can't stop it. Then, when she does discover herself, at the end, it's too late. And she has to tidy up, rebuild and reconstruct. And the worst, most bitter thing is, it's an entirely self aware process. "I forgot myself" means that she knows herself, but for a brief moment, lost herself and then it's a self-fulfilling action. It's an utterly incredible song and an incredible clip. The amazing fact is we have two incredible female musicians in a relationship, writing songs specifically TO and FOR each other, and as the listening public, we're the audience for their messages to each other. I wonder if they intend us to be the audience, or if it's just written earnestly, for each other.
Perhaps you know of Jen & Courtney's dynamic more than I do (which is nada). But I sense that your over-analyzing it. Haven't we all forgotten ourselves in deep 1:1 relationship before? At least for a spell. I met Jen years ago, and she struck me as an incredibly self-aware person. An incredible person in fact. It's hard to imagine her subscribing to something as basic as envy over her partner's success.
I feel like this often when i come home from working night shift in healthcare... sometimes you give so much of yourself helping people you forget about yourself... and the zombielike empty loneliness blahness you feel while trying to catch up on your sleep...and then missing out on things with loved ones
The more of this Indie/Alternative music I listen to, the more I feel like abandoning my country roots and driving around the country in a camper van 💙💚💛💜
I am in love with this album so much it's like a cross between PJ Harvey, Liz Phair and the Velvet Underground. Just so amazing. Jen you are a genius. That you aren't as famous as your wife is a fucking tragedy. Tonnes of love from Auckland.
This is such a great song and a outstanding video..The raw honestly of the lyric is so brave and the little 'satisfaction' reference just adds subtle bit of humour..
"There's only so much you can say or tell". May have heard this on RRR or PBS or somewhere on community radio. And she's filling in the Saturday Paper crossword! In this country pub/camp hall.
Great tune. Sounds like Jen's time has been very long in coming. Very frustrating being an artist in this country. No doubt some sour grapes associated with her 'new found' publicity. It's not her fault that we live in a country that values sport and not art. Looking forward to the album.
Doesn’t it? The final shot is her seeing herself in the mirror, implying that she’s escaped whatever weirdness was beguiling her, and that she can finally see herself, which is the point of the song.
Esto suena a Pavement por los cuatro costados, pero se le perdona por el buen gusto por música de los noventa. Si es que esa década ('when I was young') tenía mucho mojo. Lo de los 551 dislikes no me lo explico, salvo que se trate de un robot o una epidemia de mal gusto.
Sounds a little like Courtney Barnett Similar and think they are on the same label ( and CB might have been in the video) Fantastic though and equally damn great Man, got a friend in Melbourne, and need to get my ass there as they have some fantastic artists emerging there Milk records is a goldmine
Conor Boyland ah, didn't know that although was pretty sure they played together at some point and were friends Thanks for the info; two great artists and hope their marriage is a happy one
