I Don't Remember Me (Before You)

Album: Port Saint Joe (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This romantic and endearing ballad finds John and TJ Osborne offering their hearts to a lover. The idea for the song came out of something co-writer Shane McAnally told the brothers during a writing session.

    McNally said, "I literally can't think of who I was. I don't remember who I was before [my] husband Michael."

    TJ Osborne and his brother thought that was a great concept for a song and they couldn't recall that subject being said that way before.

    When they played their idea to their producer Jay Joyce, he suggested, "it would be really cool to save the 'before you' till the end of the song." The brothers thought that was a "killer idea" and took it on board.

    "So now," TJ Osborne explained, "it kind of goes in a turn around. You don't know what the hell I'm talking about. 'I don't remember me,' you keep hearing this, and then at the end is the reveal 'I don't remember me before you,' which I think is great."
  • The sentimental video centers on a professional bull rider who, struggling with substance abuse, alienates himself from his loved ones. It ends with a twist that will tug at your heartstrings. The clip was directed by Wes Edwards and Ryan Silver, the same team that was behind the Brothers OsBourne's CMA-and-ACM winning visual for "It Ain't My Fault."

    "We're very excited to release this emotional example of someone's life being changed by another," said John Osborne.

    The Brothers Osborne have cameos in the clip. John Osborne plays a spotter in the ring, while TJ is an EMT trying to save the bull rider's life.
  • As soon as Wes Edwards and Ryan Silver shared the visual's concept with the brothers, they were immediately on board. "When Wes and Ryan sent us their idea for it, we fell in love immediately with it," they said in a behind the scenes video.

    "We thought it was really cool, considering the lyrics and the chorus: 'I heard I was a wild one I feel like a child, son.' I think that's very indicative of what the rodeo life is, they're all crazy, wild characters and they're obsessed with this. They wake up every morning and go to bed every night thinking about it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.