Forgetery
Dan Mangan + Blacksmith Lyrics
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Like a house in a land-slide, or a TV glow
There in the thick of it, as I reeled in the light,
I was drowned in the happenstance that all this information would leave me
Back to the shadows
Forgetery
Forgetery alive and well
Call it hands tied
Shot-gun wedding
Rock and a hard place
'Cause when I taste it, just one moment of truth,
What I’m wishing would linger seems to leave me
And I fear that distraction ever near me
So I’m open and broken
Feels like teething
The sweet pain of the process
Forgetery
Forgetery alive and well
The lyrics of Dan Mangan & Blacksmith's song Forgetery express the overwhelming impact of information overload and our ability to forget things we wish to remember. The opening line "all the everything pulled me inside" highlights the powerful onslaught of information in our lives that can consume us like a house in a landslide or a TV glow. This imagery emphasizes the suffocating and all-encompassing nature of the constant flow of information in modern society. As the singer becomes engulfed in this deluge, they feel drowned in happenstance, unable to retain the information that is bombarding them.
The chorus of “Forgetery” alludes to the singer's inability to hold on to things, no matter how much they may wish to remember. They are stuck in a state of "hands tied," where the illusion of choice leaves them feeling like they are caught in a "shot-gun wedding" between a rock and a hard place. Even moments of truth that they wish to hold on to seem to slip away like sand through their fingers. The fear of distraction is a constant presence for the singer, which makes them feel open and broken like they are teeth that are aching and falling out. The sweet pain of the process of forgetting is a bittersweet release from the heaviness of information overload.
Line by Line Meaning
All the everything pulled me inside
The overwhelming amount of information and stimuli pulled me in and consumed me.
Like a house in a land-slide, or a TV glow
The force of the information was like a landslide or the bright light of a television screen pulling me in.
There in the thick of it, as I reeled in the light,
I was caught up in the midst of it, dazed and confused by the brightness.
I was drowned in the happenstance that all this information would leave me
I was overwhelmed by the idea that despite all this information, it still wouldn't help me in the end.
Back to the shadows
Retreating to a quieter, less overwhelming place.
Forgetery
Purposefully forgetting information in order to cope with the overwhelming amount.
Forgetery alive and well
The act of forgetting is still prevalent and necessary.
Call it hands tied
Feeling trapped and unable to escape the constant information overload.
The illusion of choice
Feeling like there is a choice, but ultimately the vast amount of information limits options.
Shot-gun wedding
The feeling of being forced into something without much choice.
Rock and a hard place
Feeling stuck between two equally bad choices.
'Cause when I taste it, just one moment of truth,
In moments of clarity, when the truth is revealed.
What I’m wishing would linger seems to leave me
Things I wish to remember or hold onto seem to slip away quickly.
And I fear that distraction ever near me
The fear of being constantly distracted and unable to focus due to the constant information overload.
So I’m open and broken
Being vulnerable and feeling overwhelmed.
Feels like teething
The process of learning and growing can be painful, but ultimately necessary.
The sweet pain of the process
Although painful, the process of learning and growing can be rewarding and enriching.
Forgetery
Once again, forgetting information in order to cope.
Forgetery alive and well
The need to forget is still necessary even after going through the painful process of growth.
Lyrics © ARTS & CRAFT MUSIC INC
Written by: Dan Mangan, Gordon Grdina, John Walsh, Kenton Loewen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JinxyVision💫
I really liked the video (it got deleted and brought me here) where he was talking about how having a kid changed his life and his story telling through song writing. I'm really glad there's a video now, it's very fitting and I love it. I was worried that the live to the produced version would sound very different but I was not disappointed!
iesus68
how I like this kind of moving videos... great song too mr. Mangan
Nate Pike
What a beautiful video!
BNothern
great video for a great song
Isaac
I could've watched a whole 4:02 of Rainn Wilson's scene in this.
pickledbeans
Amazing
Alexander Heemskerk
DOUBLE YEAH
Stephss
💌💌💌
Sam Finlay
YEAH
Adrian Loewen
Stop looking at the friggin videos and listen to the music. Dan Mangan's songwriting really is that good and doesn't need the story/visual interjection.
And from what I can see online, this "Blacksmith" cramps his style.