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.
John Doe
B.o.B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The minute they close the curtain
You take off your mask
And take off your costume
And if anyone asks you're taking a smoke break
Drinking some coffee
But everyone knows what you're doing
Seems like the bus moves slower
So you take a few pills in Beverly Hills
But if anyone asks you've got a prescription
You got an addiction
Who do you think that you're fooling
John Doe, I just want the John I know
Once you put the drinks on hold
Maybe you could come back home
John Doe, ooh oh oh oooh
Oooh oh oh ohooh oooh
Oooh oh oh ohooh oooh
Errybody's addicted to something
Errybody gotta grip onto something
Even if it's just to feel the response of appeal
Maybe once, maybe twice
Maybe hundreds of times, hundreds of times
Without it, it's just harder to function at times
You race to the bottom of every single bottle
As if there was someone or something to find
You're struggling in your mind
And you tell yourself lie after lie
'Til you get to the point where it's no longer private
That people that you work with noticed the signs
When you walk in the room
It gets noticeably quiet
So you break up the silence, you say you've been at the gym
But the way look, can't blame on the diet
So what you hiding?
John Doe, I just want the John I know
Once you put the drinks on hold
Maybe you could come back home
John Doe, ooh oh oh oooh
Oooh oh oh ohooh oooh
Oooh oh oh ohooh oooh
Yeah, I've probably had too many things
Smashed too many freaks
Had too much to dro(I mean)
Had too much to drink
Left the club, ended up in custody
Random drug test, passed it luckily
My girl broke up wit' me cause she walked in suddenly
With a woman up under me
I told her "Wait!
It ain't what it look like!
I must've slip and fell, clumsy me!"
Well, at least I admit it, cause the worst you could do
Is to do it and not be man enough to say that you did it
That's just how you prevent it, well I ain't no different
I love all the money, the fame
And the parties with beautiful women
I spend so much time as an underground artist
'Cause I was afraid to succumb to the business
And what I'd become
But that what you'd judge I become
The path with the greatest resistance
That's how the tables can turn when they pivot
And change you perspective and flip your entire position
My whole life I've been dying to wish and to live and experience
Everything possible
When I told 'em my dreams, they just said they ain't logical
Now, I can see it, it's optical (optical)
John Doe, I just want the John I know
Once you put the drinks on hold
Maybe you could come back home
John Doe.
In B.o.B's song John Doe, the lyrics delve into the theme of addiction and self-deception. The opening lines suggest that when one's work or performance is over, they put down their façade and reveal their true selves, highlighting the need to deceive others. The song continues to describe the different aspects of addiction and how it affects a person's life. It talks about how people are addicted to different things, be it alcohol, drugs, or attention. Addiction provides a temporary escape that helps them avoid dealing with their problems, but the issues eventually catch up, and the escape becomes the problem, prolonging the cycle of addiction.
As the song progresses, B.o.B shares his confessions of how he has also struggled with addiction and the consequences of his actions. He mentions how he has smashed too many "freaks," had too much to drink, and was arrested. He explains that he spent a lot of time as an underground artist because he was afraid of succumbing to the business and what it would turn him into.
Overall, the song takes a deep dive into the issue of addiction and its consequences, highlighting the need to face our problems and deal with them instead of relying on temporary escapes.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems like your heart stops working
It feels like you're holding back when the attention is not on you.
The minute they close the curtain
You feel more comfortable when you're not in the spotlight.
You take off your mask
You stop pretending to be someone you're not.
And take off your costume
You stop living up to an image that you've created.
And if anyone asks you're taking a smoke break
You try to hide what you're really doing from others.
Drinking some coffee
You're trying to look busy or productive.
But everyone knows what you're doing
Your behavior is not fooling anyone.
Seems like the bus moves slower
Time seems to move slowly when you're anxious.
Just cause you got somewhere to go
You're always in a hurry, but you don't know why.
So you take a few pills in Beverly Hills
You turn to medication to cope with your problems.
But if anyone asks you've got a prescription
You lie about why you're taking the medication.
You got an addiction
Your dependence on medication is not healthy.
Who do you think that you're fooling
You're not fooling anyone with your lies and excuses.
Errybody's addicted to something
Everyone has their own vices and struggles.
Errybody gotta grip onto something
We all need something to hold onto for support.
Even if it's just to feel the response of appeal
We seek validation, even if it's superficial.
Maybe once, maybe twice
We try to indulge in moderation, but it's not always possible.
Maybe hundreds of times, hundreds of times
We can easily fall into the habit of overindulging.
Without it, it's just harder to function at times
You struggle to cope without your crutch.
You race to the bottom of every single bottle
You're trying to escape your problems by drinking excessively.
As if there was someone or something to find
You're searching for a solution to your problems.
You're struggling in your mind
You're fighting with yourself internally.
And you tell yourself lie after lie
You're not being honest with yourself about your problems.
'Til you get to the point where it's no longer private
Your problems become obvious to those around you.
That people that you work with noticed the signs
Your coworkers are starting to recognize your behavior.
When you walk in the room
You attract attention because of your behavior.
It gets noticeably quiet
People are uncomfortable in your presence.
So you break up the silence, you say you've been at the gym
You try to distract from the real issue with a false excuse.
But the way look, can't blame on the diet
Your physical appearance reflects your unhealthy habits.
So what you hiding?
Your behavior is not fooling anyone, so why continue hiding?
Yeah, I've probably had too many things
I've made mistakes and indulged in excess.
Smashed too many freaks
I've indulged in casual sex too often.
Had too much to dro(I mean)
I've used drugs excessively.
Left the club, ended up in custody
I've been arrested for my behavior.
Random drug test, passed it luckily
I've managed to pass drug tests despite my use.
My girl broke up wit' me cause she walked in suddenly
My girlfriend found me with another woman and ended our relationship.
With a woman up under me
I was cheating on my girlfriend.
I told her "Wait!
I tried to come up with an excuse.
It ain't what it look like!
I tried to deny my actions.
I must've slip and fell, clumsy me!"
I tried to make it seem like an accident.
Well, at least I admit it, cause the worst you could do
I'm trying to take responsibility for my actions.
Is to do it and not be man enough to say that you did it
It's important to own up to your mistakes.
That's just how you prevent it, well I ain't no different
I'm not immune to making mistakes, but I'm trying to learn from them.
I love all the money, the fame
I enjoy the benefits of my successful career.
And the parties with beautiful women
I enjoy the lifestyle that comes with my success.
I spend so much time as an underground artist
I used to avoid mainstream success because of the potential negative consequences.
'Cause I was afraid to succumb to the business
I was scared of losing myself in the music industry.
And what I'd become
I was afraid of losing my identity.
But that what you'd judge I become
I've realized that I can't avoid judgment and criticism.
The path with the greatest resistance
It's difficult to go against the norm and expectations.
That's how the tables can turn when they pivot
Things can quickly change when you take risks.
And change you perspective and flip your entire position
A new perspective can completely change your mindset.
My whole life I've been dying to wish and to live and experience
I've always wanted to live life to the fullest.
Everything possible
I want to experience everything life has to offer.
When I told 'em my dreams, they just said they ain't logical
Others have doubted my ambitions and goals.
Now, I can see it, it's optical (optical)
I can see that my dreams are possible.
John Doe, I just want the John I know
I want the real you, not the facade you put on for others.
Once you put the drinks on hold
Once you stop using alcohol as a crutch.
Maybe you could come back home
Maybe you can return to the person you used to be.
John Doe
A reference to a generic or unknown person, reflecting the universality of these struggles.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEOFFREY EARLEY, PRISCILLA RENEA, BOBBY RAY SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@michaelbirdsong196
I remember being homeless listening to this song strung out on heroin and this song made me go home . I will have 3 yrs clean this july
@bandiledlamini1107
You good?
@joshmcbee8735
I've got 4.5 year meth free. Keep it up
@CesarHuerta-ih7oj
michael birdsong. Congrats my friend🙏
@menaldagroeneveld801
♥
@alansecrest347
That's literally fucking amazing bro props man hopefully you have a bright future endeavors with positive people and vibes... Honestly brought tears to my eyes cause I'm struggling with addiction of opiates from a crazy ex stabbing me in the mid putter thigh fillet knife I have severe Nerve damage calf down and the muscle where stabbed like my thigh seems weak and can develop muscle any further about 5 years ago too.. changed my whole life because I hated opiates from prior incidents of life or death literally almost lost my other leg in moped crash trash company ran stop sign now I have massive hematoma and I think it's definitely gonna cause future issues already has I'm 26 the crash happened at 16 my whole calf was blue and like 3 thimes size my thigh 2 years later or so then had spontaneous pneumothorax almost collapsed lung now my left side always feels swollen like lymph nodes or something from idk the air escaping my lung caused the worst pain above being stabbed in my upper back radiating through my left side neck and head nothing but the nerve damage ever broke me down though... Congrats once again
@pingpong7286
Fun fact: The girl on the vocals (Priscilla) is now known as Muni Long and her song Hrs and Hrs <3
@shaebadoula
Oh wow!!
@arielfranklin74
That's what I was thinking 🥰✨
@arise4765
I knew it! Such beautiful lyrics