At the 2013 West Australian Music Industry Awards, the song won Single of the Year.
The music video was directed by Joseph Pelling and Becky Sloan, best known as creators of 'Don't Hug Me I'm Scared' web series. The music video consists of psychedelic clay animation.
The song was voted on many year-end best-of lists in 2012. Pitchfork named it the seventh best song of 2012, and said of the track; "it will blow your brain back to its most purely joyous and least cynical recesses." The same website also ranked it #192 on their list of the 200 best songs of the 2010s. It placed ninth on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2012.
"Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" was used in the promotion of Via X's Chilean TV program Moov. The Irish sports podcast Second Captains used the song as the theme music for its 2014 FIFA World Cup coverage. The collaboration version of the song (with Kendrick Lamar) was featured in the movie Divergent. The song was used in the Netflix show The Imperfects.
Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
Tame Impala Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
It feels like we only go backwards, darling
I know that you think you sound silly when you call my name
But I hear it inside my head all day
When I realize I'm just holding on to the hope that maybe
Your feelings don't show
It feels like I only go backwards, baby
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
It feels like we only go backwards, darling
The seed of all this indecision isn't me, oh no
'Cause I decided long ago
But that's the way it seems to go
When tryin' so hard to get to something real
It feels
It feels like I only go backwards, darling
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
It feels like we only go backwards, darling
It feels like I only go backwards, baby
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Feels like we only go backwards, darling
Feels like I only go backwards, baby
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Feels like we only go backwards, darling
The lyrics to Tame Impala's song "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" express frustration and confusion about a relationship that seems to be going in reverse. The singer laments that despite his efforts to move forward, everything seems to be pulling him backward. He admits that he keeps holding on to the hope that the person he loves feels the same way, but he can't be sure.
The line "It feels like I only go backwards, baby" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing the singer's overwhelming sense of stagnation. He knows that he should move on, but he can't seem to let go of the idea of a future with this person. The line "I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again" suggests that this isn't the first time the singer has been in this position; he's tired of getting his hopes up, only to be disappointed again and again.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that sometimes the things we want the most are the things that are most out of reach. The line "When trying so hard to get to something real" suggests that the singer is putting in a lot of effort to make this relationship work, but it's not getting any easier. Despite everything, he can't help but feel like he's only going backwards.
Overall, "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" is a poignant examination of the complexities of love and relationships. It's a reminder that sometimes, no matter how much we want something, we can't force it to work.
Line by Line Meaning
It feels like I only go backwards, baby
The situation seems to be stagnant and not progressing forward, like going backwards in life.
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
Despite feeling stuck, there’s a feeling of willingness to keep trying and moving forward.
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Despite the feeling of being stuck, there is still hope that the situation will change for the better.
It feels like we only go backwards, darling
The situation not moving forward seems to be shared with the other person involved.
I know that you think you sound silly when you call my name
The other person may feel embarrassed or hesitant to express their feelings.
But I hear it inside my head all day
Despite the other person’s hesitation, the singer can’t help but think about them all the time.
When I realize I'm just holding on to the hope that maybe
The singer is aware that they may be holding onto false hope of the other person reciprocating their feelings.
Your feelings don't show
The other person’s true feelings are unknown and not expressed.
The seed of all this indecision isn't me, oh no
The artist does not believe they are the source of the lack of progress in the situation.
'Cause I decided long ago
The artist already made a decision, but it seems like no progress has been made.
But that's the way it seems to go
Despite making a decision, things aren’t going according to plan.
When tryin' so hard to get to something real
The artist is putting in a lot of effort to make the situation work and become something meaningful.
It feels
Overall, the situation feels stagnant and there is a lack of progress and growth.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kevin Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aidanbblp4308
[Chorus]
It feels like I only go backwards, baby
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Feels like we only go backwards, darling
[Verse 1]
I know that you think you sound silly when you call my name
But I hear it inside my head all day
When I realise I'm just holding on to the hope that maybe
Your feelings don't show
[Chorus]
It feels like I only go backwards, baby
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Feels like we only go backwards, darling
[Verse 2]
The seed of all this indecision isn't me, oh no
'Cause I decided long ago
But that's the way it seems to go
When trying so hard to get to something real
It feels
[Chorus]
It feels like I only go backwards, darling
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Feels like we only go backwards, darling
It feels like I only go backwards, baby
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Feels like we only go backwards, darling
It feels like I only go backwards, baby
Every part of me says, "Go ahead"
I got my hopes up again, oh no, not again
Feels like we only go backwards, darling
@trippersweet7632
it sounds like end credits for ur life
@nirad8026
Now that you mention it, I get this vibe of like a creepy-existential-horror short film, where the main character essentially dies and time resets for him, literally the clock resets with a sound, and the song plays at chorus part while time goes back like in a playback. He feels blissful briefly. Then the music semi-abruptly stops and he comes back to his senses, and dread returns. Where he spawns, idk.
@reemjsp3036
💀
@ptproductions3582
Nirad802 😳🤯😱
@cierradeaton724
Best comment
@barry2629
Error 404 likes not found
@Loser4
It feels like I always knew this song.
@JohnnyOnReplay
because you're going backwards
@felixalberto421
you officially win the best comment on youtube
@cfmetal
dude i feel the same way! and ive never heard it lmao