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My Gen X Playlist: I Don’t Mind If You Forget Me – Morrissey

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Daily writing prompt
What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
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The other day we were chatting about movies and I found myself trying to remember an actor’s name. This wasn’t some B-lister, mind you. It was a full blown A-list actor and I was drawing a blank. And it wasn’t as if I couldn’t see his face. That was clear as a whistle. I just couldn’t pull the name from my memory bank. When someone finally mentioned the name, I had one of those arms in the air, oh yeah moments. Don’t ask me the name of the actor I’m talking about. I’ve already forgotten the name again.

I find these tip of my tongue moments becoming more frequent. Little things here and there. It might be a word or phrase, or a name or place. My friend’s mother recently is having memory care issues and that sparked a concern for my own brain health. I’m thankful I’m not too bad yet. I mean, I still can pass Trump’s cognitive test, but let’s be honest. That’s not saying much. I know what a whale is and if you place a giraffe right next to it, it won’t confuse my answer. OK, I digress.

I eat all the foods that are good for memory and brain health. I’ve enjoyed them all for years, even before reading the list. I’m good there. But wouldn’t it be easier if my memory was my super power? I’m not sure how I could use this for good instead of evil, but it sure would make my life easier. That’s what I really need. Where do I sign up.

I was looking up songs about forgetting and found a gem from the past. Morrissey released I Don’t Mind If You Forget Me in 1988 on his debut solo album. This song doesn’t quite fit today’s prompt because one, it’s not about my memory, it’s about yours. And two, it’s OK if your memory is lost. Details, schmetails. I haven’t heard this song in twenty years, so I’m adding it to the playlist.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

I don't mind
I don't mind if you forget me
Having learned my lesson
I never left an impression on anyone

So now you send me your hardened 'regards'
When once you'd send me 'love'
Sincerely I must tell you
Your mild 'best wishes'
They make me suspicious

I don't mind
I don't mind if you forget me
Having learned my lesson
I never left an impression on anyone
The pressure to change, to move on
Was strange
And very strong
So this is why I tell you
I really do understand
Bye bye

I don't mind if you forget me
No no no no no no no

You can only be strong for so long
It may not eat you but it will beat you
So this is why I tell you
I really don't understand
This time

Rejection is one thing
But rejection from a fool
Is cruel
Rejection is one thing
But rejection from a fool
Is cruel
And I don't mind if you forget me
I don't mind if you forget me

20 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: I Don’t Mind If You Forget Me – Morrissey”

  2. I don’t know how much of it is “memory” or “focus” these days, if that makes sense. Yeah, I’m older, but it just seems like there’s a lot more general chaos and b.s. to distract the mind. Some of it may be “artificial” memory lapses.

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  3. I am so glad to know that I’m not the only one with memory lapses! My husband and I went to see the new Ghostbusters movie yesterday, and afterwards the conversation went something like this: “That woman who plays the Mom is the same actress from that one show we used to watch ..what was the name of it? You know the one set in the 1800’s in New York? Oh, and that original Ghostbusters guy…you know, the one who was in Christmas with the Kranks? He’s looking old. Ugh! My memory is like swiss cheese!

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      1. It was really good! It had all of the original cast plus the new ones from the last one. The only thing I didn’t like was the long backstory in the middle of the movie. I almost fell asleep. Also, the end wasn’t as grand as some of the others.

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  5. I thought you were building-up to drop Simple Minds’ Don’t you Forget About Me on the playlist, but now I see it’s already on there. I like that you went deep into the Morrissey vault instead! I will definitely enjoy walking to it. Good tempo.

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  6. That feeling of losing a name when it’s right on the tip of your tongue is the worst!

    I’ll usually remember it at some ridiculously random moment, like what I’m getting something out of the refrigerator.

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  7. Oh, man does this resonate. I’ve always been terrible with names. A senior government official I worked for was great at it and told a colleague he was good at it because he really worked at it. I remind myself of that every time I forget something, recall, and then promptly forget it again. Focusing on mindfulness is the way I have found through it. Now… what were we talking about again?

    A Morrissey tune I wasn’t familiar with. Thanks for the introduction.

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