Farewell Faded Memory
John K. Samson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, another numbing light of early morning
Another pile of half-read books
Nice and safe in my serene surroundings
Evil smiles and empty looks
Why justify why you can think at all?
I guess I'm far too sane
Cry, falsify this turmoil of emotion
Until you feel no pain, but

I'm pretty sure some sun will rise, and
Give me the strength to shield my eyes, from
All the lights and all the lies of compromise
And I always try to understand, but
Looking back it's hard to know
That you were bought and sold for a box filled full of Spanish gold

I sifted through some archives yesterday
Met you in a photograph
I saw your face and simply had to look away
I know that that would make you laugh

So many things I guess I should remember
But I don't know how
So many things so easy to forget
I guess I miss you now, but

I'm pretty sure some sun will rise, and
Give me the strength to shield my eyes, from
All the lights and all the lies of compromise
And is this a faded memory, or
Did I see you crawling
Out towards the open sea, so sad and free without me
Oh, without me





I bid farewell to the faded memory

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to John K. Samson's song "Farewell Faded Memory" are an introspective reflection on the complexities of memory and the struggle to reconcile with the past. The song begins with a description of the mundanity of daily life, with the singer surrounded by "numbing light of early morning" and "half-read books." Despite the mundane surroundings, the singer recognizes the danger of complacency, and questions why people justify their existence without the ability to think critically. The singer then urges listeners to confront their emotions and embrace pain, rather than numb themselves to it.


The second verse of the song delves deeper into the theme of memory, with the singer remembering a past relationship and feeling conflicted about their recollections. The singer attempts to sift through their personal archives, including photographs of the person they once loved. However, they find that memories are malleable and difficult to grasp, with some things easy to forget and others permanently etched in one's mind. The chorus of the song then returns, with the singer expressing a hope that the future will bring both strength and clarity.


The final lines of the song contain the titular phrase "farewell faded memory," suggesting that the singer has come to terms with the fact that memory is not always reliable, and that the past cannot be changed. The song ends with the poignant realization that one must say goodbye to the past in order to fully embrace the present.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, another numbing light of early morning
The monotonous cycle of daily life continues with another morning that is devoid of excitement and stimulation.


Another pile of half-read books
An abundance of unread knowledge exists, yet it remains untouched and unappreciated.


Nice and safe in my serene surroundings
The immediate environment is peaceful and secure, yet it lacks anything that challenges or motivates growth.


Evil smiles and empty looks
The world is full of people who possess malice inside, hiding behind a faรงade of artificial kindness.


Why justify why you can think at all?
The ability to think and feel is a natural human quality, and there is no need to explain or defend it.


I guess I'm far too sane
Perhaps it is strange to be mentally stable in a world filled with chaos and confusion.


Cry, falsify this turmoil of emotion
People often try to suppress or fake their true feelings in order to avoid facing difficult situations or emotions.


Until you feel no pain, but
Eventually, the pain and emotions that are buried within will resurface, regardless of how much someone tries to hide them.


I'm pretty sure some sun will rise, and
Despite the hardships and struggles of life, there is always a new day and a chance for redemption or growth.


Give me the strength to shield my eyes, from
It is necessary to protect oneself from the harshness and falsehoods of the world, in order to preserve one's own sense of truth and purpose.


All the lights and all the lies of compromise
Society often encourages people to conform and compromise their values or beliefs, but this can lead to a loss of integrity and authenticity.


And I always try to understand, but
Empathy and compassion are important, but it is difficult to truly comprehend another person's experiences or emotions.


Looking back it's hard to know
Memories can be distorted or unclear, making it challenging to determine what was truly felt or experienced in the past.


That you were bought and sold for a box filled full of Spanish gold
The value of human life and dignity is often disregarded in favor of material possessions or wealth, leading to exploitation and inequality.


I sifted through some archives yesterday
The past is often preserved in various forms, such as photographs or other media, allowing for reflection and introspection.


Met you in a photograph
Memories and emotions can be triggered by visual reminders of people or past experiences.


I saw your face and simply had to look away
The pain or sadness associated with someone or something can be overwhelming, leading to avoidance or denial.


I know that that would make you laugh
Even in difficult situations, there can be moments of levity or humor, which can offer some relief or catharsis.


So many things I guess I should remember
There are many details and experiences in life that seem important or significant, but can easily be forgotten over time.


But I don't know how
Despite the desire to hold onto memories or knowledge, it can be challenging to retain it all without help or intervention.


So many things so easy to forget
The human brain can only retain so much information, and much of it will inevitably be forgotten or lost over time.


I guess I miss you now, but
Nostalgia can be bittersweet, and often involves an idealized version of a past relationship or experience.


And is this a faded memory, or
The passage of time can cause memories to fade or become distorted, leading to uncertainty or confusion about what was really experienced.


Did I see you crawling
The mind can play tricks or create illusions, leading to perception that may not align with reality.


Out towards the open sea, so sad and free without me
People or experiences can move on without someone, leading to feelings of sadness, loss, and regret.


Oh, without me
The realization that someone has moved on without them can be a painful and humbling experience.


I bid farewell to the faded memory
Reflecting on the past can be a way of acknowledging and letting go of what was lost, offering a sense of closure and peace.




Contributed by Callie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@lilpp1

Tracklist Timestamps
A1 Slips And Tangles 0:00
A2 Greenest Eyes 2:03
A3 Airport Lounge 5:24
A4 Unearthly Refrain 10:46
A5 Happy Song 12:59
A6 Sunday Afternoon 15:51
A7 Summer Rain 18:41
A8 Farewell Faded Memory 22:01
B1 Velveteen 26:50
B2 Maryland Bridge 32:08
B3 Sympathetic Smile 36:38
B4 Saint Cecila 40:10
B5 Little Pictures 43:02
B6 A Story You Have Heard Before 47:27
B7 Agonistes 52:45



All comments from YouTube:

@lilpp1

Tracklist Timestamps
A1 Slips And Tangles 0:00
A2 Greenest Eyes 2:03
A3 Airport Lounge 5:24
A4 Unearthly Refrain 10:46
A5 Happy Song 12:59
A6 Sunday Afternoon 15:51
A7 Summer Rain 18:41
A8 Farewell Faded Memory 22:01
B1 Velveteen 26:50
B2 Maryland Bridge 32:08
B3 Sympathetic Smile 36:38
B4 Saint Cecila 40:10
B5 Little Pictures 43:02
B6 A Story You Have Heard Before 47:27
B7 Agonistes 52:45

@a_drifter_

it's so nice to hear samson's clear-as-a-bell voice through the low-fi crisp, and raw takes; it sounds really great

@zaneridings3789

So beautiful, so sad, and so masterful. I'd absolutely adore an entire re-release off all earlier John K solo demos, there are so many gems.

@benhirsch6479

these songs all cut so deep, brings me back to a very specific time in my youth... damn I'm old.

@jeffduplessis6621

This is clearly the superior version of Greenest Eyes (a.k.a. Showdown G.E.P.)! The second John K. Samsung verse really ties the song together into one cogent, perfect song

@propagandhipod8797

This.

@jorgemartinez-lv4eh

Thanks for upload this gem

@renderedinoperable

Thank you JKS for great music

@moth_man8673

how am i just finding this now this is incredible

@freezing_monkey

Thank you so much! I've been looking for this for a long time and this is brilliant.

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