Friends
Backyard Babies Lyrics
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Back in Japan
Backyard Babies
Is his favorite band
I got a friend
His name is Ben
He's gone to hell
But they won't let him in
Cause there is nothing
That touches me the way they do
And all the lies, you've been hearin' baby
They're all true
Cause there is nothin'
That touches me they way they do
Nothing touches me the way these people do
I got a friend
Her name is Grace
When we broke up
It put a smile on my face
And there's a girl
That I love
Sadly she resides in
Heaven up above
Cause there is nothing
That touches me the way they do
And all the lies, you've been hearin' baby
They're all true
Cause there is nothin'
That touches me they way they do
Nothing touches me the way these people do
Look at all these lonely people
They're born to lose
But they can not die
I love my friend
My only friend
He doesn't know me
But his word is my command
We meet our friends
Down at the bar
Celebrity intoxicated stars
The lyrics of Backyard Babies’ song Friends evoke various emotions and thoughts with their enigmatic lines. The song revolves around the singer's friends, albeit delivered in confusing ways. The first verse includes a reference to a Japanese fan of Backyard Babies, and the second mentions a certain Ben who went to hell but wasn't allowed to enter. The chorus then claims that nothing moves the singer the way his friends do, no matter how untrue the rumors might be. The third verse consists of a Grace, who breaks the singer's heart and puts a smile on his face, and a girl he loves, who is now residing in heaven. Finally, the last verse talks about lonely people who cannot die and the singer's friendship with a celebrity he has never met.
The song is challenging to understand due to its fragmented narrative and ambiguous connotations. However, the overall theme appears to reflect the singer's bond with his friends and the comfort he derives from their companionship. Moreover, the song suggests that interpersonal relationships, no matter how strange or unexplainable they may seem, can provide a person with a sense of purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I know a man
The singer knows a man who is a fan of Backyard Babies and lives in Japan
I got a friend
The singer has multiple friends and mentions a man named Ben and a woman named Grace
He's gone to hell / But they won't let him in
Ben has faced trouble and been rejected by others
'Cause there is nothing / That touches me the way they do
The singer deeply resonates with the music and lyrics of Backyard Babies
And all the lies you've been hearing baby / They're all true
The singer believes that the rumors about the band are all accurate
'Cause there is nothin' / That touches me they way they do
The singer repeats that the music of Backyard Babies holds a special place in their heart
I got a friend / Her name is Grace / When we broke up / It put a smile on my face
The singer is glad to be rid of their ex-girlfriend Grace
And there's a girl / That I love / Sadly she resides in / Heaven up above
The singer is in love with someone who has passed away
Look at all these lonely people / They're born to lose / But they can not die
The singer observes that many people are unhappy, but still remain alive
I love my friend / My only friend / He doesn't know me / But his word is my command
The singer is devoted to a famous person whom they have never met in person
We meet our friends / Down at the bar / Celebrity intoxicated stars
The singer and their friends go to a bar where famous people go to drink
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Emma Richardson, Matt Hayward, Russell Marsden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heather Hanger
So many of my favourites, all in one song... how near to perfection can you get? :-D
MickeRamone
they recorded this song when they were on the road, and they asked other artists that they knew to each sing a verse =) So Joey Ramone, and Danko Jones among others sings on this wonderful track =)
Yoshiko H
I love this song!!
Starlett0611
This song fkn rocks!!! :)3♥
sequero1
Great (and underated) rock band, catchy song.
MickeRamone
Oh btw, this was Joey's last performance, he died shortly after.... R.I.P Joey
maendhros
I am so bad in remembering lyrics so I always sing this "I has a man / back in Japan" and my boyfriend just loves it... Not from Japanese of course..... :'D
Björn zarelius
GET ME TO FEEL GOOD;) AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN
Tom Spineless
I know a man back in Japan, backyard babies is his favourite band
scoobbbbbydo
being from backward aussie as i am THANK FUCKING GOD FOR THE INTERWEB have found so many great euro bands that rock. My whole i pod is full off euro rock bands byb top the list at the moment followed by,wig wam. both have been around for twenty yearsi just discovered them 2 months ago .