The song 'Never Meant' by American Football reflects on the dissolution of a deep personal relationship, marked by a tender, introspective examination of the process of letting go. The lyrics grapple with the painful realization that the love between the two individuals has faded, and the only path left is to forget the past and move forward separately. The chorus focuses on words and actions that may not have been sincere, indicating regret and the difficulty of accepting that what was once thought to be meaningful was perhaps never truly meant to be.
The emotional journey of 'Never Meant' is complex, intimate, and brimming with melancholy. As the song opens, we encounter an almost conversational setup, creating an intimate atmosphere likening the beginning of a personal confession. American Football invites us to be privy to a poignant moment of two people on the brink of acknowledging that their relationship is beyond repair, setting a reflective and somber tone.
The first verse dawns with a heavy-hearted proposal to forget 'everything said and everything we did,' which conveys a deep sense of loss and a desperate attempt to numb the pain by erasing cherished memories. American Football paints a picture of a couple who were 'best friends and better halves,' a recognition of the depth and multiplicity of their bond. The 'goodbyes' and the emblem of 'autumn night,' a season often associated with change and decay, underscore the moment they realized love was slipping away.
In the chorus, the repetition of 'there were some things that were said that weren't meant' becomes a haunting mantra, evoking the confusion and regret often surrounding a relationship's end. American Football captures the bitter aftertaste of unfulfilled promises and words tossed carelessly in the heat of a moment, that although not meant, profoundly bruised the ties that tethered them together.
By the end of the song, the notion 'you can't miss what you forget' serves as a desperate coping mechanism, advocating for selective amnesia as a way to staunch emotional wounds. American Football adapts a tone of resigned acceptance as they propose that everything 'between you and me was never meant,' crystallizing the heartbreaking resolution to close this chapter and accept the ephemerality of their past love.
"Let's just forget everything said and everything we did"
This line reveals the yearning to escape the pain of a past relationship by erasing memories which now serve only as reminders of loss.
"Best friends and better halves"
Here, American Football captures the concept of duality in relationships, where partners are both a friend and a lover, amplifying the depth of the connection and the pain of its dissolution.
"And the autumn night when we realized we were falling out of love"
The autumn night serves as a metaphor for change and fading, painting the season as a backdrop to the moment of heartrending realization.
"'Cause you can't miss what you forget"
This line pushes the idea that forced forgetfulness could be a remedy to heartache, reflecting the struggle to liberate oneself from emotional attachment.