Released: 2017
Features: MNEK
“Never Forget You” by Zara Larsson and MNEK is a poignant testament to enduring love and the lasting impact of a past relationship. The lyrics navigate through the tortuous alleyways of nostalgia, grafted with the pain of separation, and breathe life into an enduring promise— to never forget.
The first verse establishes the tone of melancholy and sets up the story line of the song. “I used to be so happy but without here I feel so low” communicates Zara’s longing for a past lover. The lines “once upon a time you were my everything / It’s clear to see that time hasn’t changed a thing” signify that despite the passage of time, the feelings are still raw and the memories of their love remain vivid.
The chorus, “I’ll never forget you, You’ll always be by my side, From the day that I met you, I knew that I would love you ’til the day I die”, is a powerful affirmation of enduring love. It acutely captures the crux of the song—that even in separation, the person will always have a special place in their heart.
In the second verse, “Funny how we both ended happy but everything seems alright”, Zara reflects on the irony of how they both ended up happy, which implies that they’ve moved on, but deep down, there is this unshakeable feeling of loss and longing.
The lines “Doing it, loving it, Everything that we do, And all along, I knew I had something special with you” give us glimpses into the depth of their relationship and how special it was. The lyrics “But sometimes you just gotta know these things fall through, But I’m still tired and I can’t hide my connection with you”, underline the acceptance of the end of their relationship, while asserting that the emotional connection is still alive.
The repeated phrase ’til the day I die’, underscores the intensity and sincerity of their emotions. It marks a refusal to forget, instead promising to hold on to the memories till the end of their lives. The song wraps up with the heartbreaking repetition of the phrase, “I’ll never forget you” capturing the agony of a love that was, and perhaps still is, profound and deeply felt.
Overall, “Never Forget You” is a soul-stirring dive into the bittersweet world of memories and unending love that continues to thrive in the face of separation and time.
