From the sound of the latest easy-going, earworm of a single, “I Didn’t Mean To Do That”, Steven van Betten understands how to both learn from yet not sweat the small stuff. The lyrics come off as light and funny at first listen, but by the end, you realize there are bigger themes of forgiveness buried in there that become easily digestible due to the acutely relatable scenarios throughout. His first solo release, an LP entitled Friends and Family will be released in 2023.
The single soundtracks the moment of uninhibited reflection, processing, and forgiveness. He shares, “I Didn’t Mean To Do That” is a reflection on mistakes, and how some mistakes (though painful at the time) can age quite well. They become funny, entertaining, and even cherished memories; parables of personal growth are shared openly with friends around the dinner table. Meanwhile, other mistakes—the kind that hurt those we love most—can haunt us. They weigh heavy on our hearts and grow into demons that appear in our dreams. Instead of sharing these stories with a laugh, we bury them away. But even the most severe mistakes are fundamentally human and universal, and by looking at them with compassion we can forgive each other and ourselves.”
