In 1996 Barbara Mendes moved to New York where he was educated at various singing schools and made forays into gospel music. She published two solo albums and has done multiple collaborations on soundtracks and with renowned DJ's.
Rehab
Barbara Mendes Lyrics
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I said, no, no, no
Yes, I 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
I won't go, go, go
I ain't got seventy days
'Cause there's nothing, there's nothing you can teach me
That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway
I didn't get a lot in class
But I know we don't come in a shot glass
They tried to make me go to rehab
I said, ""no, no, no""
Yes, I 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
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 been black
But when I come back, you'll know, know, know
I don't ever want to drink again
I just, oh, I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
Have everyone think I'm on the mend
And it's not just my pride
It's just till these tears have dried
They tried to make me go to rehab
I said, no, no, no
Yes, I 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
I won't go, go, go
The song "Rehab" by Barbara Mendes speaks about the internal conflict of an individual who is being urged to attend rehabilitation for addiction but refuses to do so. The first verse begins with the lyrics "They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no" indicating resistance to attending rehab regardless of any persuasion. The singer of the song acknowledges that she has had a difficult past, with her line "Yes, I've been black" suggesting that she may have experienced discrimination, while also expressing her confidence that others will be able to see her improvement when she returns. The singer then explains that she does not have time for rehab and that she is content to be at home with a Ray, a reference to Ray Charles, an iconic musician who also struggled with addiction.
The second verse introduces a conversation with somebody who is attempting to convince the singer to attend rehab by questioning why she is there in the first place. The singer replies, saying that she has no idea why she is there and reveals that she keeps a bottle close because she is afraid to lose her child. The conversation then turns to the suggestion that the singer may be depressed, to which she replies that she knows herself better than that. The song concludes with the singer stating that she never wants to drink again, and although she needs a friend, she does not want to spend ten weeks in rehab for others to know that she is on the mend.
Line by Line Meaning
They tried to make me go to rehab
Someone attempted to force me to go to rehab for my perceived problems with addiction
I said, no, no, no
I refused to go to rehab
Yes, I been black
I have experienced the struggles and hardships that come with being a black person in society
But when I come back, you'll know, know, know
When I return, people will see changes in me and know that I have overcome my challenges
I ain't got the time
I am too busy to commit to a lengthy program like rehab
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
Even if my father believes that I need rehab, I still won't go
He's tried to make me go to rehab
My father has attempted to convince me to go to rehab
I won't go, go, go
Despite the pressure and attempts to persuade me, I remain steadfast in my refusal to attend rehab
I'd rather be at home with a Ray
I prefer to relax at home with a drink called 'Ray' than attend rehab
I ain't got seventy days
I cannot commit to a program that lasts 70 days
'Cause there's nothing, there's nothing you can teach me
I believe that there is nothing that rehab can teach me about overcoming my problems with addiction that I cannot learn on my own
That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway
I believe that I can learn everything I need to know from a musician named Mr. Hathaway
I didn't get a lot in class
I did not learn much in traditional educational settings
But I know we don't come in a shot glass
I am aware that true knowledge and growth cannot be found in a bottle
The man said, "why do you think you here?
Someone from rehab asked me why I thought I was there
I said, I got no idea.
I do not know why I am here
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
I am afraid that I will lose my significant other
So I always keep a bottle near
I rely on alcohol to cope with my fears and emotions
He said, I just think you're depressed
The person at rehab suggested that my problems with addiction may be linked to depression
This, me, yeah, baby, and the rest
My struggles with addiction are intertwined with my personal problems and relationships
I don't ever want to drink again
I truly want to overcome my addiction and never drink again
I just, oh, I just need a friend
I need support and friendship to overcome my addiction
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
I refuse to commit to ten weeks in rehab
Have everyone think I'm on the mend
I do not want to give people the impression that I am getting better, as it makes my challenges with addiction feel trivialized
And it's not just my pride
I am not refusing to go to rehab out of pure stubbornness or pride
It's just till these tears have dried
I am not ready to face my problems until I am emotionally prepared to confront them
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Amy Winehouse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind