Remember
Jolie Holland Lyrics
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When I think of your fist
Narrowing in on and cracking his ribs
It brings a smile to my lips
Can I stay here till dawn?
I don't know how to get home
My phone is broken and my friends are gone
Mockingbirds sing at the moon
And the stars fall from the sky
If you don't catch me when I fall for you
I'm going to have to remember how to fly
Can I stay here all night?
Just until it gets light?
My heart is heavy and the stakes are high
Can I stay here all night?
Mockingbirds sing at the moon
And the stars fall from the sky
If you don't catch me when I fall for you
I'm going to have to remember how to fly
All it takes is a little lift
And the feathers in your arms
Take a little jump at the top of your jump
And fly away from, fly away from harm
I've been betrayed and I'm not afraid
To call a spade a spade
It's going to hurt like hell
When he rips the bandage away
And I stay away
Mockingbirds sing at the moon
And the stars fall from the sky
If you don't catch me when I fall for you
I'm going to have to remember how to fly
Mockingbirds sing at the moon
And the stars fall from the sky
If you don't catch me when I fall for you
I'm going to have to remember how to fly
Remember
Remember
"Remember" by Jolie Holland is a ballad about a woman who is in a vulnerable position and seeking comfort from her lover. The lyrics are full of contrasting emotions, with elements of violence and betrayal paired with a desire for protection and love.
The opening lines, "It brings a smile to my lips / When I think of your fist / Narrowing in on and cracking his ribs," suggest that the singer finds pleasure in violence and that her lover is capable of defending her. However, this is juxtaposed with her request to stay with him until dawn because she doesn't know how to get home and her phone is broken. Here, the singer is portrayed as small and helpless, seeking protection and comfort from her lover.
The chorus, "Mockingbirds sing at the moon / And the stars fall from the sky / If you don't catch me when I fall for you / I'm going to have to remember how to fly," adds another layer of complexity to the song. The mockingbirds and stars represent nature's beauty and freedom, while the singer's desire to fly away from harm underscores her need for safety. The title, "Remember," could be interpreted as a plea for her lover to not forget her or their moment together, or as a warning to herself to remember how to fly if she's ever alone and vulnerable again.
Overall, the lyrics in "Remember" paint a picture of a complicated and emotional relationship, one in which the singer is seeking both protection and autonomy.
Line by Line Meaning
It brings a smile to my lips
Recalling how you beat up someone is pleasing to me
When I think of your fist
I remember how your hand made contact with his body
Narrowing in on and cracking his ribs
I recall how you specifically punched his chest, breaking his ribs
Can I stay here till dawn?
I don't know how to get home and my phone is broken, can I spend the night?
I don't know how to get home
I don't have a transportation plan or the confidence to find my way home
My phone is broken and my friends are gone
I cannot contact for a ride, and my friends are unavailable
Mockingbirds sing at the moon
The sound of mockingbirds is audible, and they are singing to the full moon
And the stars fall from the sky
I notice shooting starts in the dark sky
If you don't catch me when I fall for you
If you don't care for me when I show love and commitment towards you
I'm going to have to remember how to fly
I will have to learn how to be strong on my own and not depending on someone else
Can I stay here all night?
Can I wait until sunrise?
Just until it gets light?
Only until dawn breaks?
My heart is heavy and the stakes are high
I am burdened with emotions and the consequences of my actions
All it takes is a little lift
A small amount of motivation is enough
And the feathers in your arms
The feathers are wet with sweat, and you are holding me tightly
Take a little jump at the top of your jump
Leap from the highest point of your jump
And fly away from, fly away from harm
Escape from danger and risk by taking flight
I've been betrayed and I'm not afraid
I have been let down, but I am not scared
To call a spade a spade
I am not afraid to speak honestly
It's going to hurt like hell
The truth will be painful
When he rips the bandage away
When he removes the protective layer guarding me from the truth
And I stay away
I will isolate myself from the pain
Remember
Don't forget
Remember
Don't forget
Contributed by Kayla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.