Return the Favor
All Time Low Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left me the victim of a hit-and-run
Picked up and let down
You were never as you led on
You said, "Just friends and no strings"
But that leaves loose ends for all things
Get back to old days and old flames
Won't you let me know?
How do I get away
When you're begging me to stay?
What do you need me to say?
You're anything but ordinary
What do you want me to do?
I've given it all to it you
I wish you would return the favor
Did you forget what I said?
Train wreck, here we, here we go again
Derailed, and I failed to mention
I put it on the line
Whether you and me could ever be
We'll never see, no
'Cause you keep the lights off
You only do it in the dark
Won't you let me know?
How do I get away
When you're begging me to stay?
What do you need me to say?
You're anything but ordinary
What do you want me to do?
I've given it all to it you
I wish you would return the favor
Are you gonna throw it all away?
(D-d-do me a favor)
Are we gonna do this all again?
Maybe it's all pretend and the game should end
I guess nobody wins
(Won't you let me know?)
How do I get away
When you're begging me to stay?
What do you need me to say?
You're anything but ordinary
What do you want me to do?
I've given it all to it you
I wish you would return the
How do I get away
When you're begging me to stay?
What do you need me to say?
You're anything but ordinary
What do you want me to do?
I've given it all to it you
I wish you would return the favor
The lyrics to All Time Low's song "Return the Favor" speak about a person who is stuck in a toxic relationship, where they are constantly being let down and misled. The first verse suggests that the other person left them heartbroken and fled, leaving the singer to deal with the aftermath of a "hit-and-run." It is evident that the other person did not fulfill their promises or meet the singer's expectations. They pretended to be more invested than they were, claiming they were "just friends and no strings." However, this attitude caused loose ends that led to devastation. The chorus hones in on the desperation to get out of the situation. The singer begs to be told how to get out, but at the same time, the other person pleads for them to stay. The singer wishes that the other person could just "return the favor" and put in as much effort as they did.
The second verse of the song starts with a reminder of what the singer had warned the other person about when they embarked on the relationship. The singer describes the current state of their relationship as a train wreck, and they both knew what was coming. Despite that, they put everything on the line and took the risk. The song's bridge expresses a wish for things to end, with the recognition that maybe it was all a game that nobody can win.
Overall, "Return the Favor" is a somber tune that reflects on the disappointment of a one-sided relationship. It speaks of the importance of reciprocity in relationships and highlights the risks associated with following one's heart blindly.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no, look what you've done
You have made a mistake and now things are not going well for me.
Left me the victim of a hit-and-run
You have hurt me badly and left me to suffer the consequences alone.
Picked up and let down
You have played with my emotions by giving me hope and then disappointing me.
You were never as you led on
You have lied to me about your true intentions and feelings.
You said, 'Just friends and no strings'
You told me that we could be friends without any romantic attachment.
But that leaves loose ends for all things
But that arrangement still leaves some unresolved issues and feelings.
Get back to old days and old flames
Let us try to go back to the past where we were happier with each other.
You never let burn out
You never let our old flame die out, and it still smolders inside you.
Won't you let me know?
Can you please tell me the truth about your feelings and intentions?
How do I get away
How can I escape from this complicated and emotionally draining situation?
When you're begging me to stay?
When you are desperately asking me to stay and not leave you alone.
What do you need me to say?
What do you want me to tell you in order to make things right between us?
You're anything but ordinary
You are not like anyone else I have ever known, and that is both good and bad.
What do you want me to do?
What actions do you want me to take to make you happy?
I've given it all to it you
I have tried my best to satisfy you and make this relationship work.
I wish you would return the favor
I hope you can reciprocate my efforts and make this relationship work as well.
Did you forget what I said?
Have you forgotten the promises and commitments you made to me?
Train wreck, here we, here we go again
We are heading towards another disaster, just like before.
Derailed, and I failed to mention
Our relationship has gone off track, and I have not mentioned it earlier.
I put it on the line
I have risked everything to be with you and make this work.
Whether you and me could ever be
I am not sure if we are compatible enough to make this work between us.
We'll never see, no
We may never find out for certain whether we can make this work together or not.
'Cause you keep the lights off
You are keeping me in the dark about your true intentions and feelings.
You only do it in the dark
You only show affection for me when no one else is around.
Are you gonna throw it all away?
Are you going to ruin this relationship by your actions and decisions?
(D-d-do me a favor)
Please do me a favor and save our relationship.
Are we gonna do this all again?
Are we going to repeat the same mistakes and problems we had before?
Maybe it's all pretend and the game should end
Maybe this relationship was never genuine, and it is time to move on.
I guess nobody wins
Regardless of the outcome, no one will come out of this situation truly happy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Missing Link Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JACOB ELISHA LUTTRELL, DANIEL LUTTRELL, ALEX GASKARTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind