Forgotten
Sportchestra! Lyrics


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Old, old limbs move slowly now
Up and down stairs from bed to chair
A balsa puppet struggles to remember
Cheering crowds and famous victories
That was a full life


Now dim in a half-light
Of newsreels and winner's shields
Take care, move slowly now




There are precious few
Who still remember you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sportchestra!'s song Forgotten is a poignant reflection on the inevitable reality that athletes face as their bodies age and their once-famous accomplishments fade away with time. The opening lines of the song paint a vivid picture of an elderly athlete, whose old limbs move slowly as they struggle to navigate stairs from their bed to their chair. The comparison to a balsa puppet is particularly effective because it conveys a sense of fragility and delicacy, highlighting the athlete's vulnerability in their old age.


As the song progresses, we learn that this athlete was once a champion, cheered on by adoring crowds and celebrated for their victories. However, now they are forgotten, relegated to a half-light of dusty newsreels and fading winner's shields. The final lines of the song serve as a warning to the listener – be careful, move slowly, because there are precious few who still remember you. The message is clear: even the most celebrated athletes will one day be forgotten, and it is important to cherish their accomplishments while they last.


Overall, Forgotten is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the bittersweet reality of aging for athletes. It is a reminder that fame and success are fleeting, and that we must appreciate them while they last.


Line by Line Meaning

Old, old limbs move slowly now
Aged limbs move with less speed and vitality


Up and down stairs from bed to chair
Moving from one location to another with difficulty using stairs


A balsa puppet struggles to remember
A frail, weak individual trying to recall old memories with difficulty


Cheering crowds and famous victories
Events of the past where this individual experienced glory and success in life


That was a full life
Despite current struggles, the individual has lived a life that contains moments of great achievement


Now dim in a half-light
Fading away into obscurity, with a weak presence in the public eye


Of newsreels and winner's shields
Being remembered only through old news clips and awards


Take care, move slowly now
Being cautious and gentle when interacting with the individual


There are precious few
Very few people still exist who remember this person's achievements


Who still remember you
Only a small number of people still recognize and recall the great moments of this person's life




Contributed by Carson J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@simonzai7386

I know the Heysel Stadium and hurling songs off by heart.I remember this album well.All the Chumbawamba, Subhumans folks and many many more strutting their stuff at the height of their influence.Legend

@deka7x921

Thank you so much for uploading this! Chumbawamba’s one of my favorite bands and as such this album is one i’ve wanted to hear for a long time. I was beginning to think I may have to fork over the high amount of money that this LP goes for nowadays in order to hear it, but thank you for finally uploading it here to YouTube! It’s such an interesting album with an interesting concept, especially since it’s got a similar sound to the band’s first two albums. Wonder what the idea and intentio was behind forming this pseudo-new group for something this ambitious when Chumbawamba already existed.

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