I Never Learned French
Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
like I said I would
Never returned your calls
that book you gave me
is still on the shelf
I forgot about others
and remembered myself
I worried my parents
Too scared and too lazy
to pick up the phone
and I've sung the tune
and forgotten the words
and I let love
and others be hurt
The song "I Never Learned French," by Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, is a poignant reflection on missed opportunities and relationships left unfulfilled. The lyrics describe a person who has failed to follow through on promises and obligations, leaving behind a trail of broken promises and shattered hearts. The singer confesses that they never fulfilled their intention to learn French, an admission that underscores their failure to commit fully to anything. They also failed to return phone calls and let a book languish on a shelf.
The song's verses are threaded with nostalgia and regret, as the singer remembers the people they let down and the chances they didn't take. At the same time, they also sing of their own resilience and determination to survive. They may have hurt others and let love slip through their fingers, but they have also learned to be self-reliant and take care of themselves.
Overall, "I Never Learned French" is a sobering reminder that life is short and opportunities should not be taken for granted. The song's melancholy tone underscores the importance of making the most of our time and cherishing the people and experiences that matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
I never learned French
I never took the time to master the French language despite having said that I would.
like I said I would
similar to many things I promised to do, I never followed through with learning French.
Never returned your calls
I ignored your attempts to communicate through phone calls, messages, and other means.
that book you gave me
referring to a book that you gifted to me as a present.
is still on the shelf
the book remains untouched on my shelf, collecting dust.
I forgot about others
I neglected the people in my life, ignoring their needs and feelings.
and remembered myself
instead, I was preoccupied with my own wants and desires.
I worried my parents
I caused concern for my parents due to my reckless behavior and lack of communication.
when I didn't come home
referring to a time when I failed to return home and caused worry and panic for my loved ones.
Too scared and too lazy
the reasons why I failed to reach out to those who cared about me were due to fear and laziness.
to pick up the phone
I didn't have the motivation or courage to initiate communication with those who reached out to me.
and I've sung the tune
I continued to go through the motions of life and follow familiar patterns.
and forgotten the words
however, I lost sight of the true meaning behind my actions and disregarded the consequences of my behavior.
and I let love
my disregard for others caused me to neglect the love and care that they offered.
and others be hurt
as a result, my actions caused pain and suffering for those around me.
Contributed by Abigail S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.