Cortini debuted the project in the summer of 2010 with four tracks online, which would appear on his debut LP, Blue, released later that fall. Explaining that the project name stems from the Italian phrase "sono io" ("it's me"), Cortini also announced that the effort was recorded entirely with one of his favorite instruments, the Buchla modular synthesizer. He put out a remix album of the record in December of 2010 titled Non (Blue), which featured reinterpretations of Blue's tracks from the likes of Big Black Delta and Ladytron. Sonoio's sophomore effort, Red, arrived six months later and featured one of the project's definitive tracks, "Enough," as its lead single. Another companion remix album arrived later that December and, in keeping with the theme of previous efforts, was titled Non (Blue). The release featured remixes from Telefon Tel Aviv, Drumcell, and erstwhile Jane's Addiction bassist Eric Avery.
Several years of inactivity followed while Cortini focused on working and touring with Nine Inch Nails and creating a string of instrumental records under his own name. He returned with new Sonoio material in late 2014, a song titled "Thanks for Calling," which he had made available online. The project remained quiet for the next three and a half years while he returned to his duties in Nine Inch Nails and worked with Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Mariqueen Maandig Reznor in a new band called How to Destroy Angels in addition to other creative endeavors. Sonoio's third record, Fine, was released in July 2018. "Thanks for Calling" appeared on the LP as its lead single, and Cortini announced that the record would be the last under the Sonoio moniker.
Just Me
SONOIO Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would like for once to see you smile
Maybe I'm the one afraid to leave
Or maybe you're the one afraid to speak
Take yourself
With someone else
There's no one left
I would like to take you for a ride
I would like for once to see you smile
Maybe I'm the one afraid to speak
Maybe you're the one afraid to leave me
See yourself
With someone else
There's no one left
Just me
The lyrics of SONOIO's song "Just Me" are open to interpretation, but they seem to reflect the feelings of loneliness and isolation that can come with a failed relationship. The singer is trying to reach out to their former partner, expressing a desire to spend time with them and potentially reconcile, but they are met with silence and distance. There is a sense of frustration and desperation in lines such as "Maybe I'm the one afraid to leave / Or maybe you're the one afraid to speak," as the singer struggles to identify the root of the problem and make things right again.
At the same time, there is also a sense of resignation in the repeated refrain of "Just me," suggesting that the singer has come to accept their solitude and is trying to move on. The final lines, "Maybe you're the one afraid to leave me / See yourself with someone else / There's no one left / Just me," reinforce this idea, shifting from a plea for connection to a realization that the only person the singer can rely on is themselves.
Overall, "Just Me" is a poignant and introspective meditation on the aftermath of a breakup and the difficulties of letting go. Its haunting melody and sparse yet evocative lyrics capture the complexity of emotions that can arise in such a situation, making it a powerful and relatable entry in SONOIO's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
I would like to take you for a ride
I want to take you somewhere special and create a memorable experience for us
I would like for once to see you smile
I hope to bring happiness to your face and alleviate any worries you may have
Maybe I'm the one afraid to leave
Perhaps I am hesitant to move on from this relationship since it is comfortable and familiar
Or maybe you're the one afraid to speak
Maybe you are holding back your true feelings and are scared to express them to me
Take yourself
Take the opportunity to be alone and discover who you are without me
With someone else
Explore new experiences and relationships with other people
There's no one left
After our relationship ends, there will be no one else for us to turn to and confide in
Just me
Only I will remain, left to deal with the aftermath of our relationship and take responsibility for my own actions
Contributed by Nathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheDelayInTheUniversalLoop
"sono io che mi sveglio ogni giorno in mezzo al niente, e ho paura di tutto. sono io che rimango a guardare, senza parole, solo rumore. sono io che mi guardo allo specchio, vedo me stesso e rispondo sconnesso. sono io che ti fa [?], solo un pensiero mi può far arrivare a te" I'm Italian but I had to use equalizers to make these lyrics intelligible, I can definitely tell you that this track is unearthly. In Italian these lines sound beautifully
@Xcel271
This is literally my all time favorite song... and I listen to A LOT of music.
@helicopterus1934
amazing. simply. amazing.
@rg1283
what a sound!
@Xcel271
I think he is speaking in italian, the most I could make out was "o no permesso" toward the end.
@Xcel271
It's hard to describe with words, this song really touches me...
@BloxPlox
Great song, keep 'em coming!
@shugshooter
Superb!
@RezyGD
this song is awesome
@LucidDreamOfficial
Thank you a lot for this ! My cover was actually like 50% done but i paused it because i was unable to progress on that part. Thx again !