That Year

Brandi Carlile's song 'That Year' is a poignant reflection on the themes of loss, regret, and forgiveness. The lyrics tell the story of a friend who took their own life, and the emotional aftermath experienced by those left behind. Carlile's narrative is deeply personal, capturing the raw and complex emotions that come with such a tragic event. The song opens with a sense of disorientation and numbness, as the narrator recalls the time when they were too young and too cool to fully grasp the gravity of their friend's struggles.

The song's chorus highlights the regret and sorrow that come with hindsight. The narrator wishes their friend had taken a break instead of making a permanent decision. The passage of time is a recurring theme, with ten years passing before the narrator feels able to speak their friend's name again. This delay underscores the long-lasting impact of grief and the difficulty of coming to terms with such a loss. The lyrics also touch on the different ways people cope with grief, contrasting the narrator's anger and hatred with another friend's forgiveness.

In the final verse, Carlile reflects on her own identity and the changes she has undergone since that fateful year. She acknowledges her anger and her religious upbringing, but also admits to being wrong in her harsh judgment. The song ends on a note of reconciliation, with the narrator finally able to call their lost friend a friend once more. 'That Year' is a powerful exploration of the enduring pain of loss and the healing power of forgiveness, set against the backdrop of youthful innocence and the harsh realities of growing up.