Biting My Tongue

Joshua Bassett's 'Biting My Tongue' delves into the emotional turmoil of holding back words and feelings in a strained relationship. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the internal conflict that arises when one chooses silence over confrontation. The opening lines, 'Silence speaks louder than I ever could / I can't breathe, I'm suffocating on my words,' set the tone for the entire song, highlighting the suffocating nature of unexpressed emotions. This metaphor of silence as a form of self-imposed suffocation is a powerful depiction of the struggle to maintain peace while dealing with unresolved issues.

The chorus, 'I'm biting my tongue / Avoiding the words I can't take back,' emphasizes the fear of saying something irreversible. This fear is a common experience in relationships where communication has broken down, and every word feels like it could be the final straw. Bassett's plea to 'forget the promises we can't keep' and his repeated request to be set free reflect a desire to move past the pain and find closure. The repetition of 'I'm begging you to set me free' underscores the desperation and longing for release from the emotional burden.

In the second verse, Bassett contrasts his silence with his partner's incessant talking, 'You're running your mouth, it's wearing me down / I'm screaming out, but you won't hear a sound.' This juxtaposition highlights the imbalance in the relationship, where one person's words dominate while the other's feelings are suppressed. The line 'I'm tryna be better than I've ever been' suggests a personal growth journey, where Bassett is striving to rise above the conflict and become a better version of himself. The song concludes with a sense of resignation and a hope for mutual understanding, as Bassett expresses a desire to end the cycle of hurt without seeking revenge.