After releasing two albums with this line-up, Sal left due to musical differences, and recruited a drummer for the recording/touring of 'Soul Searching Sun.' Caputo felt that the band's original spirit had left the band, and decided to quit in 1997. After a tour with replacement vocalist Whitfield Crane, the singer from Ugly Kid Joe, the band officially disbanded in 1999.
In 2003, the band reunited with their original line-up and played two sold-out shows before their home-town crowd, receiving great reception. This eventually led to a new studio album in 2005, namely 'Broken Valley'. Caputo came out as transgender in 2011. The band broke up again in 2012.
In 2014 the original 'River Runs Red' line-up returned to stage for several gigs. Their latest album A Place Where There's No More Pain was released in 2017. An upcoming album 'The Sound of Scars' is set to be released in 2019.
Let
Life of Agony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My mouth is wide.
I could see her face.
Her beautiful hair I could recognize.
She looks at me cold.
She probably don't know who I am.
You had me back when...
But sometimes I like to pretend, that she knows me, that she holds me.
Sometimes I like to pretend, that she knows me, that she holds me.
I guess I can't, 'cause she doesn't know who I am.
My mind it's dreaming, God it's so misleading.
Do you thing it's 'cause I've grown old.
Is it true that what I was told?
You cried to leave me?
You know I know it's not your fault.
You had a husband who was (now you're ?) selfish and cold.
Believe me I know.
And now I hear you used to treat me cold.
You disappeared and left me all alone.
I'm sure you didn't know right from wrong.
'Cause both of you were always getting stoned.
But sometimes I like to pretend.
But sometimes I like to pretend, that she knows me
Sometimes I like to pretend, that she holds me.
Sometimes I like to pretend, that she knows me.
Sometimes I like to pretend, that she holds me.
I guess I can't, 'cause she doesn't know who I am.
The lyrics to Life of Agony's song 'Let's Pretend' discuss the power of imagination and the need to escape reality. Keith, the singer, reminisces about his mother and longs for her affection, even though she seems to have forgotten him. He imagines a scenario where his mother recognizes him, accepts him, and shows him the love he has always desired.
However, Keith's mind is deceptive and confusing, and he questions whether his desire for his mother's love is just a product of aging or if it truly stems from his childhood experiences. Keith recognizes his mother's shortcomings and understands the difficult position she was in with his neglectful father. Still, he yearns for a connection with her that may never come to pass due to her estrangement.
The song's repetitive chorus "Sometimes I like to pretend, that she knows me, that she holds me" reflects the concept of denial and how some people choose to escape reality by creating an alternate truth. It also suggests a longing for the love and care that Keith may have missed out on in his early life.
Line by Line Meaning
In the stillness of the night my eyes are closed.
When it's quiet at night, I close my eyes and I am alone with my thoughts.
My mouth is wide.
I am filled with emotions that I cannot express.
I could see her face.
I can vividly remember what she looks like.
Her beautiful hair I could recognize.
I'm able to recall every detail of her appearance.
She looks at me cold.
When I see her, she doesn't show any warmth or recognition towards me.
She probably don't know who I am.
I think she doesn't remember me or know who I truly am.
Mommy it is me, it's Keith.
I'm trying to remind her of who I am and that I'm her son, Keith.
You had me back when...
You gave birth to me at some point in the past but it's unclear exactly when.
But sometimes I like to pretend, that she knows me, that she holds me.
I engage in wishful thinking that my mother remembers me and is close to me.
I guess I can't, 'cause she doesn't know who I am.
I realize that my mother doesn't recognize me.
My mind it's dreaming, God it's so misleading.
My thoughts about my mother are not grounded in reality and are causing me confusion and pain.
Do you thing it's 'cause I've grown old.
I wonder if my mother doesn't recognize me because I've aged and changed since she last saw me.
Is it true that what I was told?
I question if what I've been told about my past and my mother is accurate.
You cried to leave me?
Did you really cry when you left me or is that just something people told me?
You know I know it's not your fault.
I'm aware that my mother likely had her own troubles and reasons for not being there for me.
You had a husband who was (now you're ?) selfish and cold.
My mother had a husband who was self-centered and unfeeling, making it hard for her to provide for me.
Believe me I know.
I have a deep understanding of how my mother's past and present circumstance have impacted her and our relationship.
And now I hear you used to treat me cold.
I am told that when we were together, my mother didn't treat me with love or warmth.
You disappeared and left me all alone.
My mother vanished from my life when I was young and I had to figure out life on my own.
I'm sure you didn't know right from wrong.
I believe my mother didn't know how to parent me and had her own struggles that prevented her from doing so.
'Cause both of you were always getting stoned.
My mother and her partner had substance abuse issues that impacted their ability to care for me.
Sometimes I like to pretend, that she knows me.
I still imagine that my mother remembers me and is present in my life somehow.
Sometimes I like to pretend, that she holds me.
I wish that my mother is there to comfort me and provide the love that I didn't get from her before.
I guess I can't, 'cause she doesn't know who I am.
Despite my desires, I realize that my mother doesn't have any recollection of me and our relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN ROBERT, JOEY ZAMPELLA, KEITH CAPUTO, SAL ABRUSCATO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vero Wien
Having lost my mother at a very young age myself, this song became an anthem to me in my teens. Finally I had found someone who understood! 20 years later I still love that song and sometimes it even makes me cry! Thanks Mina, you are such a great human being and I love your music !
ContentGarden
Have not heard this in 20 years and it still gives me goosebumps, danced on it sooooo many drunk & happy nights!
Treeofwoe13
Love this song sooo much! Life of Agony has been giving me strength for years and years.
Blake Flud
Same here brother! Always has and always will.
DolleHengst
Blake Flud
Same here brothers. This song and their splendid cover of "Redemption Song" gave me strength in times of sadness and weakness.
Actually, that whole tin box gives me strength. Still got the Ugly ongsleeve too. Though i threw away all the other ones. From bands like Nailbomb, Samael, Slayer, Siebenbürgen etc
Wheel.Shredder.
Just started listening to these guys. Love the tunes.
Michael Popek
Yes, and hopefully more years to come.
marcinlukasiak
@Blake Flud aqPf
Lyndsay Mckenzie
This song strikes a cord with me .he sings with such emotion. Great song great band
Sebastian Gębczyński
Najlepszy kawałek na świecie,jest genialny,a kieth odjebał tu mistrza