Back to Back
Bosstone Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Dicky Barrett/Nate Albert/Joe Gittleman)
when he left, he showed up at my door, different than he was before
I was scared, and he was way off track I thought he wasn't coming back
he told me, people were out after him and talked of places that he'd never been,
on a mission, and sworn to secrecy, different than he used to be
back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
when he was gone, he slept out on my couch in the daytime he was always out
I never knew where he went or how his afternoons were spent he said
he had to slay a dragon, kill a giant, fix a wagon wage a war, feed the world,
and stamp out sin, in the daytime he was never in
back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
I'm a freight train baby don't give me no sidetrack, no!
I want your main line baby! climb aboard the Eden Express!
this train is coming through! this train is bound for glory!
this train, this, train is comig through! this train is bound for glory!
when he left, he showed up at my door, different than he was before
I was scared and he was way off track I thought he wasn't coming back
when he spoke it was tough to tell, he ever left or wasn't well
lost his balance tripped and fell he came back and we were glad as hell
when he came back, he showed up at my door, different than he was before
I was geared 'cause he was back on track it's good to have my old friend back




back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back

Overall Meaning

The Bosstones' song "Back to Back" describes the return of a friend who had disappeared for some time, initially causing concern for those left behind. The lyrics suggest that the friend had been involved in some dangerous business, and had changed in some way during their time away; they now spoke and behaved differently. However, despite the initial concerns, the friend ultimately returned to their old self and was welcomed back with open arms. Throughout the song, the repeated refrain of "back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back" conveys the sense of relief and joy upon the friend's return.


The song's theme of friendship and the importance of support during hard times is evident throughout. The lyrics suggest that the returning friend had been struggling and engaged in self-destructive behavior. Still, through the support of their friends, they were able to turn things around and return to a healthier state of mind. The imagery of a train, with the refrain of "this train is bound for glory!" further emphasizes the idea of moving forward and finding hope and positivity after a difficult time.


Line by Line Meaning

when he left, he showed up at my door, different than he was before
When the person in question left, they returned looking and acting different than before.


I was scared, and he was way off track I thought he wasn't coming back
The singer was scared of the person's changed behavior and thought they might not return.


he told me, people were out after him and talked of places that he'd never been
The person in question claimed that people were after them and spoke of places they had never actually visited.


on a mission, and sworn to secrecy, different than he used to be
The person in question was on a secret mission and had changed from their previous self.


back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
The artist is happy that the person has returned to their former self and is back on track.


when he was gone, he slept out on my couch in the daytime he was always out
When the person was gone, they often slept on the singer's couch and were absent during the daytime.


I never knew where he went or how his afternoons were spent he said
The singer was not aware of where the person went or what they did during the afternoons, but the person claimed to have been doing important tasks like slaying dragons.


back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
The artist is again expressing their relief and happiness that the person is back and doing well.


I'm a freight train baby don't give me no sidetrack, no!
The artist is likening themselves to a train with a singular purpose, unwilling to be diverted from their goal.


I want your main line baby! climb aboard the Eden Express!
The artist is asking the listener to join them on their journey towards their goals, which they refer to as the Eden Express.


this train is coming through! this train is bound for glory!
The singer is confident in their path and believes that they are destined for great success.


when he spoke it was tough to tell, he ever left or wasn't well
After the person returned, it was difficult to tell if they had ever left or if they had returned in poor health.


lost his balance tripped and fell he came back and we were glad as hell
The person had a misstep but ultimately returned to their former self, causing the singer and others to be happy and relieved.


when he came back, he showed up at my door, different than he was before
Even after the person returned, they were still somewhat changed from their previous self.


I was geared 'cause he was back on track it's good to have my old friend back
The singer was excited that the person was back on track and expressed their joy over having their old friend back.


back, back, and we're glad he's back on track! It's good to have him back, he's back
The artist again emphasizes their happiness that the person is back and doing well.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DICKY BARRETT, JOE GITTLEMAN, NATE ALBERT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions