Lost then found - the story behind the song
"Lost Then Found"
When Jim, the drummer in FOURTOLD, first mentioned he was dealing with a parent with Alzheimer’s, the idea of writing a song about the struggle came to mind. I’ve fortunately never dealt with a parent, family member or friend with the disease but I know enough about it to understand the frustrations loved ones must feel.
This song is very much about those frustrations.
The song structure is verse, pre-chorus, chorus - verse, pre-chorus, chorus - bridge - chorus.
I’ve had people refer to the pre-chorus and the chorus as one collective chorus. But I don’t think of them that way because. The pre-chorus in this song is equally as important as the chorus. They are two different thoughts that needed to be repeated. I hope that’s helpful during this song description.
The first verse is situational. A description of some thing that might happen in “a day in the life” of someone dealing with a parent with Alzheimer’s..
The second verse which doesn’t happen until after we hear the chorus for the first time is also meant to be situational. This verse is a memory or flashback of what life once was.
The pre-chorus in my opinion is the most important part of this story. It’s about the struggle between love and obligation. Similar to what I would imagine a strained relationship might be like. Remembering the good times but knowing they are lost forever.
The chorus is the heart of the song and helps describe the disease. Its focus is very much about what you’d think it would be, how people with Alzheimer’s fade in and out of reality.
Their reality is lost and then found.
Song Art and Lyrics Below:

Lost then Found
2 am and you’re standing over me
You never sleep and that’s what worries me
What do you think, what do you see
We can’t have you out on the streets
You don’t know so you spit in my face
All I can do is take my place
You can’t say it’s not my fight
When It’s my birthright
You’re lost then found do you remember me
You’re in there it’s so clear to me
You’re lost then found you’re lost then found
Right here in front of me
You stood tall when you took care of me
You saw me when I couldn’t see
Back in the days when I was carefree
Nothing you said made any sense to me
But you don’t know so you spit in my face
All I can do is take my place
You can’t say it’s not my fight
When it’s my birthright
You’re lost then found do you remember me
You’re in there it’s so clear to me
You’re lost then found you’re lost then found
Right here in front of me
I see you, I see you
You try to breathe
I see you, I see you
It won’t let you leave
You’re lost then found do you remember me
You’re in there it’s so clear to me
You’re lost then found you’re lost then found
Right here in front of me
You’re lost then found you’re lost then found
Yea!
You’re lost then found you’re lost then found
Right here in front of me
Written by: Eric Helmstetter (c) 2022 - All Rights Reserved