You know that feeling when you stumble onto a song that feels like a secret? Not a "hidden gem" in the way music critics describe them, but a genuine, gritty piece of history that wasn't supposed to be there. If you were scouring the internet in 2007, jumping between RapidShare links and Zippyshare folders, you likely hit paywall-free gold with Lil Wayne Something You Forgot.
It wasn't an official single. It didn't have a high-budget Hype Williams video. Honestly, it barely even had a home.
The track lived on a bootleg mixtape called The Drought Is Over 2 (The Carter 3 Sessions). It was part of a massive leak that basically forced Lil Wayne to scrap and rebuild what would become the multi-platinum Tha Carter III. But while the world got "Lollipop" and "A Milli," the die-hards stayed stuck on this one specific, heartbreaking loop.
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The Sample That Almost Didn't Exist
Let’s talk about that beat. It’s haunting. It basically hits you in the chest before Wayne even opens his mouth.
The song is built entirely around a heavy sample of Heart's "What About Love." Jim Vallance, one of the original writers of the Heart track, has actually acknowledged the use of the song, noting its origins in 1985. The way the production—attributed to the legendary era of The Empire and the leaked sessions—flips those 80s rock power chords into a slow-burn hip-hop funeral is nothing short of genius.
It’s raw. You can hear the static. You can almost feel the smoke in the studio.
The problem? Clearing a sample from a band like Heart for a rapper whose career was currently a legal and creative hurricane was nearly impossible. This is why you won't find the original version of Something You Forgot on Spotify or Apple Music today. It’s a ghost in the machine.
Why the Lyrics Hit Different
Weezy is known for wordplay. He’s the guy who compared himself to "a newborn baby in a manger" and "the best rapper alive" in the same breath. But on this track, the puns take a backseat to raw, bleeding-heart vulnerability.
"I'm probably just another name on your list," he starts.
He’s talking to an ex. Specifically, a lot of fans speculate it’s about Nivea, the R&B singer he had a long, complicated history with. Whether it's 100% about her or a composite of every woman he's ever lost to the "lifestyle," the pain is real. He talks about seeing her in magazines, about the emails left in sent boxes, and the crushing realization that fame is a lonely mountain.
A Masterclass in Narrative
Most rappers at that time were trying to sound tough. Wayne was trying to sound broken.
- The Imagery: He describes a girl standing at the sink, her hair in a towel, the domesticity of a life he couldn't keep.
- The Regret: "I tried to turn the f-page, oh my God, I ripped it out."
- The Flow: It’s not the rapid-fire "No Ceilings" flow. It’s a conversational, almost drunken stumble through his own memories.
This track proved Wayne wasn't just a punchline machine; he was a songwriter.
The Legal Nightmare of 2007-2008
You might wonder why this song isn't as famous as "How to Love." The answer is boring: lawyers.
In the mid-2000s, the "mixtape" was a Wild West. DJs like The Empire would get their hands on studio sessions—often through questionable means—and release them as unofficial albums. The Drought Is Over 2 was essentially a stolen copy of Wayne's hard drive.
When Tha Carter III finally officially dropped in 2008, it was a totally different beast. Legal teams couldn't clear the Heart sample for "Something You Forgot," and they certainly couldn't clear the Rolling Stones sample for "Playing With Fire" (which was actually on early physical copies of the album before being sued into oblivion and replaced with "Pussy Monster").
Because "Something You Forgot" was technically a leak, it exists in a legal limbo. It’s not "owned" by the label in a way they can easily monetize, so it sits on YouTube and SoundCloud, accumulating millions of unofficial views while staying off the charts.
How to Listen to It Today
If you try to find it on streaming services, you'll likely find "re-recorded" versions or fake uploads that get taken down every six months. As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the industry has gotten even stricter.
- YouTube is your best bet: The original upload from 15+ years ago is still there. Look for the one with the grainy photo of Wayne in a red hoodie or the Drought Is Over 2 cover art.
- Local Files: Serious Wayne fans have this saved as an MP3. It’s the only way to ensure it doesn't vanish.
- Vinyl Bootlegs: If you're lucky, you can find unofficial pressings of the Carter 3 sessions in boutique record shops.
The Lasting Legacy
Why do we still care about a leaked song from nearly two decades ago?
Because it represents "Peak Weezy." This was the era where he was recording 10 songs a night, fueled by syrup and ambition, convinced he could do no wrong. It was the bridge between the "Block Is Hot" kid and the "President Carter" statesman.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the best art is the stuff that wasn't supposed to be seen. It's the "unpolished" Wayne—the one who wasn't worried about radio play or TikTok trends.
Your Next Steps for the Full Experience
If you really want to understand the impact of this song, don't just listen to it once.
- Compare it to "I Feel Like Dying": Another legendary leak from the same era. It shows the dark, psychedelic side of his mind at the time.
- Read the Jim Vallance credits: Check out his official website where he discusses the Heart sample; it's a fascinating look at how old-school rockers view hip-hop's "borrowing" culture.
- Check the Wayback Machine: If you really want to be a nerd, look up the old rap forums from 2007 (like LilWayneHQ or Boxden) to see the absolute meltdown fans had when this track first leaked.
Go find the original 4-minute and 41-second version. Sit with it. It’s the closest thing to a diary entry Lil Wayne has ever given us.