Seven Months
.Portishead. Lyrics


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How can I forget you?
Disregard how I feel?
Silently listen
To the words I can't see

As long as I have tried
As low as I can be
I will never resign myself
From the trial I seek

Why should I forgive you
After all that I've seen?
Quietly whisper
When my heart wants to scream

For as long as I have tried
And as low as I can be
I will never resign myself
From the trial I seek

There's no time to rest
Or to reconsider
For this cruel unsaid
Won't concede

For as long as I have tried
And as low as I can be




I will never resign myself
From the trial I seek

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Seven Months" by Portishead reflect a difficult emotional state, as the singer is grappling with the aftermath of a relationship that has ended badly. The song starts with the repeated question of how the singer can forget their former partner while disregarding their own feelings. The following lines suggest that the singer is attempting to process their emotions quietly, perhaps to avoid confrontation or reliving the pain of the break-up. However, the lyrics also reveal that the singer is not willing to resign themselves to their current state, as they seek to continue the trial of coming to terms with what has happened.


The second verse of the song continues to explore various conflicting emotions that the singer experiences, such as the question of whether they should forgive their former partner after everything that has happened. This is juxtaposed with the idea of whispering rather than screaming, which could represent a desire to show restraint and not give in to potent emotions. The final verse of the song serves as a sort of statement about the emotional turmoil that the singer is experiencing: there is no time to rest or reconsider in the moment, as they are consumed by what they are feeling.


Overall, "Seven Months" seems to be about resilience in the wake of heartbreak. The lyrics suggest an ongoing struggle to come to terms with the end of a relationship, but also a sense of determination to continue trying to move on.


Line by Line Meaning

How can I forget you
Despite my efforts, I cannot forget about you.


Disregard how I feel
I'm trying to ignore my emotions.


Silently listen
Someone is listening to me without interrupting.


To the words I can't see
I'm struggling to express myself.


For as long as I have tried
Despite my best efforts throughout time.


And as low as I can be
Even when I'm at my lowest point.


I will never resign myself
I am determined to never give up.


From the trial I seek
I'm trying to find a solution to my struggles.


Why should I forgive you
I don't have a reason to forgive you.


After all that I've seen
I've witnessed everything you've done.


Quietly whisper
I am speaking softly.


When my heart wants to scream
Despite feeling overwhelmed, I'm keeping calm.


There's no time to rest
I must keep moving forward, there's no time to stop.


Or to reconsider
I can't afford to second-guess myself.


For this cruel unsaid, won't concede
I'm struggling to deal with a difficult and unspoken situation.


I will never resign myself
I am determined to never give up.


From the trial I seek
I'm trying to find a solution to my struggles.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adrian Francis Utley, Beth Gibbons, Geoffrey Paul Barrow

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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