Reverb-drenched and bittersweet, Alvvays members Molly Rankin and Kerri MacLellan were childhood friends, who began playing music with Alec O'Hanley while in high school. Lead vocalist Molly Rankin is the daughter of John Morris Rankin from the popular Canadian folk family group the Rankin Family. Molly Rankin released a solo EP titled "She EP" in 2010 and then in 2011 formed Alvvays with MacLellan, O'Hanley, and new members Brian Murphy and Phil MacIsaac.
Following tours with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Peter Bjorn and John, the group recorded a full-length album, Alvvays, which was released by Royal Mountain Records (Canada), Polyvinyl Records (US), and Transgressive Records (Europe) in July 2014. Chad VanGaalen, John Agnello, and Graham Walsh of Holy Fuck all contributed to the album's production. Simon Vozick-Levinson, writing in Rolling Stone, called the eponymous album an "indie-pop wonder". Alvvays went to #1 on US college charts on August 5, 2014.
Forget About Life
Alvvays Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought that I had unplugged the phone until it rang
When the phases of the moon, they don't apply
When accomplishing a simple task takes several tries
Did you want to forget about life?
Did you want to forget about life with me tonight?
Underneath this flickering light
Left the apartment in a state of disarray
Tried out the synthesizer you bought yesterday
When the failures of the past, they multiply
And you trivialize the things that keep your hand from mine
Did you want to forget about life?
Did you want to forget about life with me tonight?
Under condominium signs
Did you want to forget about life with me tonight?
Woo
Do you want to forget about life?
Do you want to forget about life with me tonight?
Underneath this flickering light
Do you want to forget about life with me tonight?
Inhaling this undrinkable wine
(Forget everything tonight)
Forget about life with me tonight?
(Forget everything tonight)
Under the condominium signs
Did you want to-whoa-oh-oh (forget everything tonight)
(Forget everything tonight)
The lyrics for Alvvays' song "Forget About Life" dive deep into the complexities of life and the desire to escape it. The first verse suggests a feeling of emptiness and despair, with the singer considering suicide by drowning, until the phone rings and interrupts that thought process. The second verse mentions trying out a synthesizer, perhaps as a way to find solace or distraction from the struggles of life.
The chorus repeats the question "Did you want to forget about life with me tonight?" as a plea for someone to join in the desire to escape reality. The lyrics mention a "flickering light," which could represent a temporary or fleeting moment of happiness or distraction from life's struggles. The bridge of the song brings together themes of escapism and love, with the singer suggesting that they can forget everything together, even if just for one night.
Overall, the lyrics of "Forget About Life" touch upon universal themes of despair, distraction, and a desire to escape reality. However, the song also suggests that there can be temporary solace found in connection with others, even if it is only for a short time.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought of going in the lake and swallowing
I briefly entertained the idea of drowning myself in the lake.
Thought that I had unplugged the phone until it rang
I believed I had disconnected from the world until reality interrupted me.
When the phases of the moon they don’t apply
The usual patterns of life do not hold meaning in this moment.
When accomplishing a simple task takes several tries
Even basic tasks seem insurmountable and require multiple attempts.
Did you want to forget about life?
Are you looking for an escape from reality?
Did you want to forget about life with me tonight?
Would you like to forget together, with me by your side?
Underneath this flickering light
In this uncertain and unstable environment,
Left the apartment in a state of disarray
I exited my home in a state of chaos and confusion.
Tried out the synthesizer you bought yesterday
I played with the new instrument you purchased to distract myself from reality.
When the failures of the past they multiply
As mistakes and regrets accumulate and become overwhelming,
And you trivialize the things that keep your hand from mine
You dismiss the issues that come between us and refuse to address them.
Under condominium signs
Within the confines of the mundane and the ordinary,
Woo
An expression of heightened emotional state.
Do you want to forget life?
Would you like to escape the struggles of existence?
Inhaling this undrinkable wine
Drinking this unbearable and difficult-to-swallow wine,
Forget about life with me tonight?
Let's forget about life together, just for tonight.
Did you want to-Whoa-oh-oh
An expression of sudden intensification of emotion.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: Alec Fraser O'Hanley, Molly Margaret Rankin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Madeline12
These are some of THE best vocals I’ve heard from Molly. Not to mention the awesome intro with its ambiance and build up. This set is possibly the best I’ve seen from them, I’m so happy to have come across it.
Sarah King
I was there and it was sublime. Well worth getting rained on for hours.
Alucard80
So underated band. A true hidden gem ❤️
modifproductions
Molly's Liam Gallagher stance is a mood
TheMusicalElitist
Well she's influenced by Oasis, so it stands to reason.
Michael Shevelin
Yep :) ++
Goemon_ strike
modifproductions Facts
Bobby B
well observed )
ghrockretroby
😯
Brandon
An artist that sounds just as good or better than recorded !