That Was You
Simon Joyner Lyrics
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It's cutting yourself in two
It's everything closing in just to crush you
It's blood on the bathroom tiles
It's a mirror you cannot smile in
It's a cabinet full of medicine to calm you
It's a cage around a silhouette
It's a letter saying forgive but please don't forget me
It's alcohol and pills
It's a heart racing uphill
It's a seizure in the hospital that ends you
It's your kid sister in the pew
It's the stained windows her eyes escaped through
It's suicide, yes that was you, when you were hopeless
It's the rain I strain to hear
It's the street now that it's clear
It's a certain something in the air I can't stop breathing
Loneliness
and despair are heavy themes in Simon Joyner's song "That Was You." The lyrics paint a vivid portrait of a person who is struggling with mental health and addiction, ultimately leading to their suicide. The repetition of the phrase "it's" creates a sense of inevitability and inescapability, as though the person is helpless to resist their own destructive tendencies.
The first few lines refer to the color blue, which is often associated with sadness and depression. The image of cutting oneself in two suggests a deep inner conflict, and the closing in of everything serves to intensify that feeling of being trapped. The references to blood, mirrors, and medicine allude to self-harm and attempts at self-medication.
The second half of the song focuses on the aftermath of the person's suicide. The veil they failed to lift and the cage around their silhouette suggest a sense of being trapped and unable to break free from their suffering. The letter, asking for forgiveness but also begging to be remembered, is a poignant reminder of the pain caused by mental illness and addiction. The final lines of the song tie everything together with a mention of rain, a common symbol of sadness and mourning.
Overall, "That Was You" is a powerful and emotional song that highlights the devastating effects of mental illness and addiction. It is a reminder of the importance of seeking help and support, and of the need to break down the stigma surrounding these issues.
Contributed by Lillian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.