Learning in Public

"**Learning in Public**" is a song by Allie X written in sessions with Oscar Görres and James Ghaleb. It is the twelfth and final track on the standard version of her second major-label studio album, *Cape God*. It *w*as released with the album on February 21, 2020.

## Leak History

* January 30, 2022 - Studio instrumental is leaked in 160kbps

## Background & Theme

The song's title was revealed on December 19, 2019, when Allie posted the tracklist of the album on all her social media.

Allie spoke about the song in her track-by-track rundown on Apple Music:

‏‏‎‎ ‏‏‎‎ ‏‏‎‏‏‎‎

During the track's Xplanation, Allie mentioned that she wanted to end the rather melancholy album on a hopeful note. Comparing it to Sky Ferreira's "Everything Is Embarrassing," she explained that the song is about always being embarrassed and scared to be through life, but persevering.

## Official Versions

* Album version — 3:48
	+ Studio instrumental — 3:51

## Cross-references

* The lyric "I didn't mean to make you unhappy. I didn't mean to change without letting you know" is a direct reference to the album's opening track "Fresh Laundry".

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

Think I heard something break, I'm sorry

There's something happening in me

It's like I'm looking down at my body

A pinball in a game, losing speed

**[Pre-Chorus]**

If I'm aimless, am I blameless

When I hurt someone?

**[Chorus]**

Why (Oh, why), why does it have to be

My least favourite subject? Learning in public

When I (When I) can't even look at me

While everyone's watching, I'm learning in public

**[Post-Chorus]**

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

All in all in all, it's just a memory

**[Verse 2]**

I didn't mean to make you unhappy

I didn't mean to change without letting you know

I felt that I could take, take you with me

But did you slip away or did I let go?

**[Pre-Chorus]**

It's confusing what I'm losing

It was never mine

**[Chorus]**

Why? (Oh, why?) Why does it have to be

My least favourite subject? Learning in public

When I (When I) can't even look at me

While everyone's watching, I'm learning in public

**[Post-Chorus]**

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

All in all in all, it's just a memory

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (Oh, why)

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (To be)

The time, the time, the time, the time and energy

**[Bridge]**

Everything I thought I wanted

I changed my mind and I forgot it

The time, the time, the time, the time and energy

We're too young 'til we're too old for it

This is somewhere 'til it's nowhere at

All in all in all, it's just a memory

**[Chorus]**

Why? (Oh, why?) Why does it have to be

My least favourite subject? Learning in public (Ah, la, la)

When I (When I) can't even look at me

While everyone's watching, I'm learning in public

**[Post-Chorus]**

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (Learning in public)

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

All in all in all, it's just a memory

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

The time, the time, the time, the time and energy

**[Outro]**

Everything I thought I wanted

I changed my mind and I forgot it all

## Trivia

* This song and "Cape God Theme" were the only songs from the *Cape God* era that did not receive their own music or lyric videos.
* The single artwork of the song was leaked on February 21, 2021.

## References

1. ↑ https://music.apple.com/us/album/cape-god/1486659663
2. ↑ https://dbree.org/v/032d9a

## Navigation

"Cape God Theme"  "Milk"  "Limited Love"  "**Anchor**"  "Rising Tide"