Amnesia

"Amnesia" delves into the profound pain and emotional turmoil following a serious breakup. The song's core message is a desperate longing to erase the memories of a past love to escape the persistent heartache. The narrator finds himself trapped in a cycle of remembrance, constantly revisiting moments, both big and small, from the relationship. He questions the reality of the love he shared, wondering how his ex-partner could move on so easily while he remains broken. This leads to the central metaphor of the song: the wish for amnesia. It's not about truly forgetting everything, but about a desire to be free from the 'stupid little things'—the intimate, everyday memories that are often the hardest to let go of. The song captures the universal experience of heartbreak, where memories become both a cherished treasure and an unbearable burden.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of someone grappling with the aftermath of a painful breakup. The protagonist is haunted by vivid, recurring memories of a past relationship. He drives by places they used to frequent, like spots where they would hang out, and each location triggers a fresh wave of nostalgia and pain. The memory of their last kiss, its taste and feel, is still fresh in his mind. He feels an inescapable sense of loneliness, which is amplified by looking at old pictures of his ex-partner that he still keeps on his phone. These images are a form of self-torture, a constant reminder of what he has lost.

He learns from mutual friends that his former lover is seemingly doing well and has moved on, which only deepens his suffering. He questions the sincerity of their past relationship, wondering how she could be fine when he is completely shattered. He imagines her with her new partner, questioning if she feels lonely even in this new relationship. He wonders if, when her new boyfriend says hurtful things, she finds solace in the loving words the protagonist once wrote to her. This internal monologue reveals his deep-seated hope that he still holds a place in her heart and that their connection was real and meaningful.

The central and most powerful theme is the desperate desire for amnesia. He wishes he could wake up one morning with no memory of the relationship, specifically erasing the 'stupid little things' that cause the most pain—the intimate, mundane moments like the feeling of falling asleep next to her. He remembers the day she left in painful detail, recalling the sight of makeup running down her face as she cried. He also remembers the shared dreams they had, which she has now abandoned, leaving him to grapple with the remnants of their shared future. The repetition of the line, 'I'm not fine at all,' serves as a raw, honest confession that contradicts any facade he might present to the world. He even fantasizes about a world where the breakup was just a twisted dream, a reality where he could wake up with her beside him and hold her close, ensuring she would never slip away again. This highlights the depth of his despair and his inability to escape the all-consuming memories of the love he lost.

"Amnesia" was included on 5 Seconds of Summer's self-titled debut album, released in 2014. The song was officially released as the third single on July 15, 2014. Notably, it is one of the few songs on the album not written by the band members themselves. The track was penned by the experienced songwriting duo Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, along with Louis and Michael Biancaniello, and Sam Watters. The production was handled by Louis Biancaniello, Michael Biancaniello, and Sam Watters. Drummer Ashton Irwin described the song as 'really heartfelt' and 'special to us as a band,' highlighting its significant emotional weight on the album despite the band not being the writers. The music video was filmed in Los Angeles in late April 2014 and directed by Isaac Rentz.

The most significant metaphor in the song is the titular concept of amnesia. It symbolizes a desperate desire to escape the pain of memory. The narrator doesn't wish for a complete loss of self but a selective erasure of the 'stupid little things'—the small, intimate details of the relationship that are now sources of pain. This highlights the idea that the most profound heartache often comes from the most mundane and personal moments. Another metaphor is found in the line, 'The pictures that you sent me they're still living in my phone,' where the pictures are personified as 'living' entities, symbolizing their active and tormenting presence in his life. The 'dreams you left behind' also serve as a symbol for the shared future and aspirations that were shattered by the breakup, representing a loss that goes beyond just the person.

The predominant emotional atmosphere of "Amnesia" is one of deep sadness, nostalgia, and longing. It's a quintessential heartbreak anthem, steeped in melancholy from the first acoustic guitar strum. The emotional landscape is painted through the vulnerable vocal performance, which conveys a sense of genuine pain and confusion. The lyrics express a conflict between cherishing memories and being tormented by them, creating a bittersweet feeling. There's a palpable sense of loneliness and isolation as the narrator feels left behind while his former partner has moved on. The song builds emotionally, starting with a quiet, reflective verse and swelling to a more powerful, desperate chorus, mirroring the internal struggle of suppressing pain versus being overwhelmed by it. The bridge, where he imagines it all being a 'twisted dream,' introduces a brief, almost hopeful fantasy before crashing back into the painful reality, intensifying the overall feeling of despair.

"Amnesia" was a significant single for 5 Seconds of Summer, showcasing a more vulnerable and mature side compared to their more energetic lead singles. It was the third single from their self-titled debut album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and in 13 other countries, marking a massive commercial success for the Australian band. The single performed well on charts globally, peaking in the top 10 in several countries including Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and Denmark. It was certified double platinum by ARIA in Australia and platinum by the RIAA in the United States. The song became a fan favorite and a staple of their live shows, often performed as an emotional, acoustic moment. Its popularity solidified the band's ability to deliver impactful ballads alongside their pop-punk hits, broadening their appeal and demonstrating their versatility.

The song follows a relatively conventional rhyme scheme, often using couplets (AABB) and alternating rhymes (ABAB) within its verses and chorus, which makes the lyrics flow smoothly and enhances their memorability. The rhythm is slow and deliberate, set in a common time signature that is typical for ballads. The tempo contributes significantly to the song's melancholic and reflective mood. The lyrical rhythm often syncs closely with the simple, steady pulse of the acoustic guitar. The vocal melody carries the primary rhythmic interest, with phrases that often start on the off-beat, giving it a conversational and sincere feel. The chorus sections build in intensity, with longer-held notes that emphasize the emotional weight of the lyrics, particularly on the line '’Cause I'm not fine at all'.

Musically, "Amnesia" is a departure from the more upbeat pop-punk tracks on the album. It's a mellow, pop-rock slow jam built around a foundation of acoustic guitar and prominent, heartfelt vocals. The instrumentation is relatively sparse, featuring simple chords and the occasional addition of strings, which ensures the emotional delivery of the lyrics remains the central focus. The production is polished and clean, fitting for a mainstream pop ballad. Lyrically, the song employs a direct address, speaking to the former lover, which creates a sense of intimacy and personal confession. It uses strong, visceral imagery, such as 'makeup running down your face,' to create vivid and relatable emotional pictures for the listener. The use of rhetorical questions ('If what we had was real, how could you be fine?') effectively conveys the narrator's confusion and inner turmoil.

Who wrote the song 'Amnesia' by 5 Seconds of Summer?

'Amnesia' was written by Benji and Joel Madden of the band Good Charlotte, along with Louis Biancaniello, Michael Biancaniello, and Sam Watters. It is one of the few songs on the band's debut album not written by any of the 5SOS members.

What is the meaning behind 'Amnesia' by 5SOS?

The song is about the excruciating pain of heartbreak and the longing to forget a past relationship to escape the memories. The narrator feels trapped by constant reminders of his ex-girlfriend and wishes for amnesia to erase the 'stupid little things' that cause him pain.

When was 'Amnesia' by 5 Seconds of Summer released?

The song was released as a promotional single on June 23, 2014, and was officially sent to US contemporary hit radio as the third single from their debut album on July 15, 2014.

What genre is 'Amnesia' by 5 Seconds of Summer?

'Amnesia' is best described as a pop-rock and power-pop ballad. It's a slower, more melodic track compared to the band's usual pop-punk sound, focusing on acoustic elements and emotional vocals.

What album is 'Amnesia' on?

'Amnesia' is a track on 5 Seconds of Summer's self-titled debut studio album, '5 Seconds of Summer', which was released in 2014.

What do the lyrics 'the dreams you left behind you didn't need them' mean?

This line refers to the shared hopes and plans the couple had for their future. When the relationship ended, the girl seemingly abandoned these dreams, implying to the narrator that they, and by extension he, were not important to her anymore, which deepens his feeling of loss.