I Told Myself
311 · From Chaos
311 - I Told Myself
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Picked up on the wrong scent
Not gonna make a dent
How many times are you in my rhymes
Burn me once shame on thee
But burn me again shame on me
I'm chasing and facing the point misplacing
When I think of you my mind's racing
I'm spacing out when I get to the point of no return
I get burned, I told myself I'm through with you
The last thing that I'll ever do
Let down my guard shouldn't be too hard
I know it's over got to elevate, disregard
Chorus:
I can't believe I fell for it, but did it again
I told myself I'm gonna quit, but did it again
I can't believe I fell for it, but did it again
I told myself I'm gonna quit, but
This was supposed to be the last time
I told myself, this wouldn't happen again
I told myself I wasn't ever going to call you
I told myself I wouldn't let you back in
But here I am dialing, trying
I told myself to get a hold of myself
I won't freak out, let you tweak out on ecstacy not next to me
Somethin tells me baby girl that you're testin me
I told myself to get ahold of myself and I'm tryin, I'm not lyin
Don't make me mad, you know I love you bad
I want to sniff the glue that holds me to you
I told myself to get a hold of myself
But don't rush me, can't you trust me
The sound I hear whenever you are near
I know it's never wrong and it's my favorite song
(Chorus)
And now it's all turned bad, turned bad, turned bad
Your ploy to make me jealous is obvious and sad
It has the opposite effect
Now you're left with what you had, you had
The rain comes down as love turns to dust
I was joking she took me serious
The rain comes down as love turns to dust
I was joking she took me serious, yes serious
This was the last time that I was ever going to call
I told myself, I wouldn't let you back in
But here I am dialing, tryin
About I Told Myself
"I Told Myself" stands as a defining track from 311's 1993 album *From Chaos*, serving as a pivotal moment in the group's evolution from hardcore rap to a more melodic, hip-hop oriented sound. The song features the group's signature vocal interplay, with the lead vocals delivered by the late Darryl "D-Town" Moore, whose distinctive tone anchors the track's emotional core. Released during the height of the East Coast hip-hop boom, the recording captures the raw energy and lyrical precision characteristic of the era, while simultaneously showcasing the band's ability to blend aggressive delivery with reflective storytelling. Musically, the track exemplifies the transition of 311's discography, moving away from pure aggression toward a style that prioritizes flow and thematic depth. It remains a staple of their catalog, often cited by fans and critics alike as a prime example of their early work that balanced commercial appeal with artistic integrity. The song's enduring popularity reflects its ability to resonate across generations, cementing its place within the broader landscape of 1990s hip-hop and the legacy of the group's collaborative dynamic.