The first single from B.o.B's second album is Strange Clouds. It features Lil Wayne and according to the Strange Clouds Songfacts, it "is 3 minutes 47 seconds of bass heavy bragging.". The song was released on October 3, 2011.
Back Stabbers
B.o.B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(They smilin' in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
(They smilin' in your face)
All the time, they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
All you fellas who have someone and you really care, yeah, yeah
Somebody's out to get your lady
A few of your buddies, they sure look shady
The blades are long, clenched tight in their fists
Aimin' straight at your back
And I don't think they'll miss
(What they doin?)
(They smilin' in your face)
All the time, they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
I keep gettin' all these visits from my friends, yeah, what they doin' to me?
They come to my house again and again and again and again, yeah
So are they there to see my woman?
I don't even be home but they just keep on comin'
What can I do to get on the right track?
I wish they'd take some of these knives out my back
(What they doin?)
(They smilin' in your face)
All the time, they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
Ha, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, low down, dirty
(What they doin?)
(They smilin' in your face)
Smilin' faces smilin' faces sometimes tell lies (back stabbers)
(They smilin' in your face)
I don't need low down, dirty bastards (back stabbers)
(They smilin' in your face) down, down, down, down, down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down (back stabbers)
(They smilin' in your face) might be your neighbor
Your next door neighbor, yeah (back stabbers)
The lyrics to B.o.B's song Back Stabbers are a warning about people who pretend to be your friends, but secretly want to take what you have. The song begins with the repetition of the line "They smilin' in your face," which is a reference to the fake smiles of those who pretend to be your friends. The chorus drives home the point that these "back stabbers" are always trying to take your place.
The second verse takes a closer look at the situation, warning that even your closest friends and allies may be out to get you. The blades in their fists symbolize their intention to harm you, and B.o.B warns that they won't miss. The third verse is more personal, with B.o.B describing how his friends keep coming to his house and he is unsure of their intentions. He wishes that they would take the knives out of his back, a metaphor for the hurt they are causing him.
Overall, Back Stabbers is a powerful warning about the dangers of trusting the wrong people. The catchy chorus and upbeat tempo contrast with the darker themes of the lyrics, creating a dissonant but effective sound.
Line by Line Meaning
(What they doin?)
Questioning the motives and actions of others
(They smilin' in your face)
People showing a friendly face to hide their true intentions
All the time they want to take your place
Others want what you have and will undermine you to gain it
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
People who betray or deceive you for their own gain
All you fellas who have someone and you really care, yeah, yeah
All those who are in a relationship and truly value their partner
Then it's all of you fellas who better beware, yeah, yeah
All these people should watch out for potential threats
Somebody's out to get your lady
There are people who are trying to take your significant other away from you
A few of your buddies, they sure look shady
Some friends may have ulterior motives or intentions
The blades are long, clenched tight in their fists
These people are carrying weapons to harm you
Aimin' straight at your back
These people are targeting you from behind, where you are vulnerable
And I don't think they'll miss
They are determined to harm you and will likely succeed
I keep gettin' all these visits from my friends, yeah, what they doin' to me?
The artist is puzzled by the frequent visits from their friends
They come to my house again and again and again and again, yeah
The friends keep coming back frequently
So are they there to see my woman?
The singer suspects that their friends are interested in their partner
I don't even be home but they just keep on comin'
The singer is not even present but their friends keep visiting
What can I do to get on the right track?
The artist is uncertain of how to resolve the situation
I wish they'd take some of these knives out my back
The artist wishes to stop being betrayed and harmed by their friends
Ha, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, low down, dirty
Expressing disgust at the actions of the back stabbers
Smilin' faces smilin' faces sometimes tell lies (back stabbers)
People who smile may still have hidden intentions and can deceive you
I don't need low down, dirty bastards (back stabbers)
The artist does not want to associate with deceitful people
(They smilin' in your face) down, down, down, down, down
The back stabbers continue to fool and deceive you
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down (back stabbers)
The back stabbers are bringing you down and causing harm
(They smilin' in your face) might be your neighbor
The back stabbers could be anyone, even people who live near you
Your next door neighbor, yeah (back stabbers)
The next door neighbor is given as an example of someone who could be a back stabber
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leon Huff, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind