Rehab
Bárbara Mendes Lyrics
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Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go go go
I'd rather be at home with ray
I ain't got seventy days
Cause there's nothing
That I can't learn from Mr Hathaway
I didn't get a lot in class
But I know it don't come in a shot glass
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go go go
The man said 'why do you think you here'
I said 'I got no idea
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
so I always keep a bottle near'
He said 'I just think you're depressed,
this me, yeah baby, and the rest'
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
I don't ever wanna drink again
I just ooh I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
have everyone think I'm on the mend
It's not just my pride
It's just 'til these tears have dried
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no'
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go go go
Bárbara Mendes's song Rehab is a cover of Amy Winehouse's hit single. The lyrics are about a person who is struggling with addiction and is being pressured to go to rehab, but they refuse. The singer speaks directly to the listener, declaring that they've been asked to go to rehab, but they've declined because they don't have the time, and they believe they can learn everything they need from Ray Charles's music. The singer rationalizes their addiction by denying that they have a problem and insisting that they just need a friend. The song also acknowledges the damaging stereotypes and prejudices associated with being a Black person with addiction, which the singer addresses head-on.
The first verse is about rejecting the idea of going to rehab, regardless of the situation. The singer speaks in the past tense, using "been black," which suggests that their race has played a role in their addiction being seen as more problematic by others. However, the singer asserts that after they leave rehab, people will fully understand that they’re still able to function normally. This implies that they don't want to go to rehab because they don't believe it will help them and they don't want to be labeled as "a person with a problem."
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that they've been through a lot and has suffered greatly because of their addiction. Nevertheless, they justify their actions by finding comfort in Ray Charles's music, crowning him as their source of knowledge and inspiration. The chorus asserts that the singer's parent(s) or guardian(s) have pressured them to go to rehab, but they refuse because they don't think it will help them, and the singer tries to convince everyone that they’re fine.
Overall, Rehab by Bárbara Mendes is about addiction and the struggle to overcome it. The lyrics are relatable to people who have been in a similar situation where they feel like they have no choice but to keep drinking, even if they know it's wrong. The song emphasizes the power of music as a source of comfort and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said 'no, no, no'
Despite pressure from others, I refuse to enter a rehabilitation program.
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know know know
Although I may have struggled with addiction and faced challenges, I will overcome them and emerge stronger.
I ain't got the time and if my daddy thinks I'm fine
I am too busy to devote time to rehab and my father underestimates my ability to handle my struggles alone.
He's tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go go go
Despite my father's insistence and concern, I will not enter a rehab program.
I'd rather be at home with ray
I prefer the comfort and familiarity of being in the company of someone named Ray.
I ain't got seventy days
I do not have the time or patience to commit to a lengthy rehab program.
Cause there's nothing
I feel I have nothing left to learn or gain from rehab.
There's nothing you can teach me
I do not believe that rehab will provide me with anything valuable that I do not already know or possess.
That I can't learn from Mr Hathaway
I am able to learn and grow from the music of Mr. Hathaway in a more effective way than I would in rehab.
I didn't get a lot in class
I did not receive much education or benefit from traditional academic learning.
But I know it don't come in a shot glass
I am aware that true knowledge and improvement does not come from drinking alcohol.
The man said 'why do you think you here'
A man (likely a therapist or counselor) questioned my reasons for attending rehab.
I said 'I got no idea
I do not have a clear or specific reason for being in rehab.
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
I fear that I may lose my significant other due to my addiction.
so I always keep a bottle near'
I keep alcohol nearby to cope with my fear and pain.
He said 'I just think you're depressed,
The man suggested that I may be struggling with depression as well as addiction.
this me, yeah baby, and the rest'
The man, who is possibly a therapist, seems confident in his professional opinion and ability to help me.
I don't ever wanna drink again
I swear off drinking completely in order to overcome my addiction.
I just ooh I just need a friend
I recognize that my struggles can be eased with the support and companionship of a friend.
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
I am unwilling to commit to a ten-week rehabilitation program.
have everyone think I'm on the mend
I do not want others to falsely believe that I am making progress and recovering if I do enter rehab.
It's not just my pride
My decision not to enter rehab is not solely motivated by pride or stubbornness.
It's just 'til these tears have dried
I will work on overcoming my struggles on my own until I am emotionally ready and able to seek help through other means.
Contributed by Brody E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.