Happy Birthday

FlipSide's song "Happy Birthday" is a poignant and emotional reflection on the loss of an unborn child. The lyrics delve into the complex emotions of regret, guilt, and what-ifs that accompany such a profound experience. The song is essentially an apology and a tribute to the child that never had the chance to live. The artist imagines what the child could have been like, pondering whether they would have been a tomboy or a tough boy, a genius or a rapper, and how they would have interacted with the world around them. This imaginative exploration serves to humanize the unborn child, making the loss feel even more tangible and heartbreaking.

The song also touches on the difficult decision of abortion, with the artist expressing deep remorse for choosing their own life over the life of the unborn child. This decision is described as a 'murder' before the sex of the child was even determined, highlighting the gravity of the choice and the lasting impact it has had on the artist. The lyrics reveal a struggle with the fear of repeating the mistakes of the artist's own father, and the internal conflict of wanting to create a family but feeling unprepared and scared. This adds layers of complexity to the narrative, showing that the decision was not made lightly and was fraught with emotional turmoil.

In the latter part of the song, the artist finds a glimmer of hope and redemption in the birth of another child, possibly the reincarnation of the lost one. This new child symbolizes a second chance and a way to make amends for past mistakes. The artist expresses a desire to meet the unborn child in a place beyond time and space, suggesting a belief in an afterlife where reconciliation is possible. The recurring refrain of "Happy Birthday" serves as a bittersweet reminder of what could have been, while also offering a form of closure and acceptance. The song is a powerful exploration of loss, regret, and the hope for forgiveness and redemption.