In the Back of My Mind
Ryan McMullan Lyrics


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Oh back when
We were young and foolish
I still felt resistance
From your hand in mine
Oh then you Got in my good graces
With unfamiliar faces
And that's where we were wrong
But in the back of my mind i know
I wanna get over you
In the back of my mind i know
I'll get over you

Oh I know
That you have every reason
To hate me but don't do it
I have my reasons too
For instance
You burnt my coat to pieces
The one i got for Christmas
From my own mother's arms

But in the back of my mind i know
I'm gonna get over you
In the back of my mind i know
I'll get over you
Yeah

Oh back when
We were young and foolish
I still felt resistance
From your hand in mine
Oh then you
Got in my good graces
With unfamiliar faces
And that's where we were wrong

But in the back of my mind i know
I'll get over you
But in the back of my mind i know
I'll get over you
In the back of my mind i know
I wanna get over you
In the back of my mind i know
I'll get over you





I know i'll get over you
Someday soon

Overall Meaning

Ryan McMullan's song "In the Back of My Mind" is a nostalgic reflection on past love and the effort that goes into moving on from a failed relationship. The song begins by reminiscing about a time when the two protagonists of the song were young and foolish, holding hands but not entirely committed to each other. However, as the relationship progresses, they make mistakes - the singer suggests they got in his good graces with unfamiliar faces and acknowledges that they were wrong. Despite all of this, the singer desires to move on from this relationship, recognizing the need to let go and get over this person.


The second verse addresses the anger and hurt that come with ending a relationship. The singer suggests that the other person has every reason to hate him, but he also has his reasons - the fact that they burned his coat, a present from his mother, to pieces. But even with this hurt, the singer remains resolved to move on, recognizing that he needs to let go and move forward. The repeated refrain of "in the back of my mind, I know I'll get over you" underscores this sentiment, expressing a recognition that this relationship is in the past and that the singer is ready to focus on the future.


Overall, "In the Back of My Mind" is a thoughtful and introspective song that captures the feelings of someone who is trying to move on from a past love. Through its lyrics and melody, the song conveys the sense of nostalgia and hurt that come with losing someone important, but also the sense of hope and determination that is needed to move on and find happiness elsewhere.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh back when
Reflecting on a time in the past


We were young and foolish
Acknowledging one's own naivety


I still felt resistance
Not everything was perfect


From your hand in mine
Even though they were physically together, there was tension


Oh then you
But then something changed


Got in my good graces
The relationship improved


With unfamiliar faces
Met and befriended new people


And that's where we were wrong
But this change ultimately led to problems


But in the back of my mind i know
Despite everything


I wanna get over you
A desire to move on


In the back of my mind i know
Acknowledging reality


I'll get over you
Confidence in the ability to move on


Oh I know
Recognizing a potential problem


That you have every reason
Acknowledging the other person's perspective


To hate me but don't do it
Requesting forgiveness


I have my reasons too
Explaining one's own actions


For instance
Providing an example


You burnt my coat to pieces
Highlighting an impactful event


The one i got for Christmas
Personalizing the event


From my own mother's arms
Emphasizing the sentimentality of the item


Yeah
Expressing agreement with previous statement


I know i'll get over you
Reiterating the confidence in moving on


Someday soon
Looking forward to the future




Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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NLee


on If This Is The End

This song is probably the saddest song ever written. I first heard it after a dear friend lost her significant other to Covid. She couldn't visit him. He would call her and beg her to come see him. He was hospitalized for 30 days and passed away on the 31st day. I'll never forget the sound of her voice when she called to tell me. She couldn't speak but I knew. I cannot listen to this song without thinking about their situation. And I cry every time.

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