Dobson co-wrote Miley Cyrus' single "Start All Over" and in 2010 she released her third studio album "Joy".
Dobson was discovered and signed by Jive Records in 2000. The record label wanted to give her a traditional pop star image. Dobson, however, wanted more guitar and to include some of her own written songs. Jive rejected the idea, so she left the record company. She found herself singing in a Toronto bar at 8:30 in the morning. It turned out a CEO at The Island Def Jam Music Group was in the bar that very morning. He wanted to sign her. They signed her up on the wrong lyrics. She sang her song "Stupid Little Love Song" and what the people thought she sang was "Stupid Little Buzz Saw" which they thought was "genius".
She met producer Jay Levine through Island Records and they began working on her music. “He just really let me be free. He found something in me that he really thought was special, it was just fate”. When in the recording studio, she hung up inspirational pictures of Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Coldplay, Jeff Buckley and the Vines, to help motivate her sound and to commemorate the artists who influenced her.
Dobson's self-titled debut album was released December 9, 2003 by Island Records and sold 307,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Four singles were released from the album; "Bye Bye Boyfriend," "Take Me Away", "Everything", and "Don't Let Me Fall". "Take Me Away" and "Everything" were used in the film The Perfect Score.
During much of 2004, Dobson promoted her debut album, appearing for a live performance on TRL and numerous magazine covers and articles. Dobson made an appearance on NBC's TV series American Dreams where she played the role of Tina Turner, covering the song "River Deep, Mountain High". She was also the opening act on Justin Timberlake's European tour. That July, she released a new single, "Don't Go (Girls and Boys)", which was also featured in a Tommy Hilfiger commercial starring the singer. The album was later reissued with that single added. Dobson also had a new song, "If You Walk Away", on the soundtrack of Raising Helen.
Dobson released "Truth Anthem" on the Much Dance 2005 CD compilation, a benefit for the Canadian branch of War Child. In April 2005, Dobson was nominated for two Juno Awards, Pop Album of the Year and New Artist of the Year; both categories were won by Avril Lavigne. In the summer of 2005, Dobson was in a public service ad "Make Poverty History", which brings awareness to child poverty worldwide.
Bye Bye Boyfriend
Fefe Dobson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep you from this pain
Now your crying
And to know that I'm to blame
And I'll miss you
But it's over now
I'm so sorry
Please don't hate me
But there's nothing you can say
To change my mind
I've got to go away
The guy that I fell for
He wanted more and more
Bye bye, boyfriend
It's time that I'd be on my way
Bye bye, boyfriend
I used to like the way you said
Baby, back it up
Lay down and work
It was fun but it couldn't last forever
Bye bye, pretty boy
It's time to, it's time to pack it up
Baby, 'cause it's over now
Let me tell you how it was when we started off
The tattoos and the lip pierce and raggedy style you used to rock
Lately everything you do and say is messed up
Things have changed, down is up we're outta luck
And, baby, I'm sorry
That it had to be this way
Please don't hate me, but there's nothing you can say
To change my mind (the guy that I fell for)
I gotta go (he wanted more and more)
Bye bye, boyfriend
It's time that I'd be on my way
Bye bye, boyfriend
I used to like the way you said
Baby, back it up
Lay down and work
It was fun but it couldn't last forever
Bye bye, pretty boy
It's time to, it's time to pack it up
Baby, 'cause it's over now
You never put the effort in to the things that really counted
A word here, and a kiss there
Could change the way it's turning out
You work so hard at all the things I never cared about
How hands work and fingers moving, eyes wide shut
And, baby, I'm lonely
Though your right in front of me
You controlled me
That was the girl I used to be
Gave up myself
Well it's over now
The guy that I fell for
He wanted more and more
Bye bye, boyfriend
It's time that I'd be on my way
Bye bye, boyfriend
I used to like the way you said
Baby, back it up
Lay down and work
It was fun but it couldn't last forever
Bye bye, pretty boy
It's time to, it's time to pack it up
Baby, 'cause it's over now
I'm backing up
Baby, 'cause it's over now
Pretty pretty pretty pretty boyfriend
Come on
Come on
Come on
Come on
Baby, back it up
Lay down and work
It was fun but it couldn't last forever
Bye bye, pretty boy
It's time to, it's time to pack it up
Baby, 'cause it's over now
The song "Bye Bye Boyfriend" by Fefe Dobson is about a girl who is breaking up with her boyfriend despite the pain it causes them both. In the first verse, she apologizes for lying to him and causing him pain but insists that breaking up is the only option. She acknowledges that she will miss him but that it's time to move on. The chorus repeats her farewell to her boyfriend as she packs up and leaves.
In the second verse, she reflects on how things have changed between them, pointing out that he used to have a cool, edgy style but now almost everything he does and says is wrong. She also notes that he doesn't put effort into the things that matter to her, and even though they're physically close, she feels lonely because he has too much control over her. The song ends with the refrain "Baby 'cause it's over now" as she emphasizes that she's done with the relationship.
The lyrics can be interpreted as empowering, as the girl takes control of the situation and decides what's best for her. However, they also convey a sense of sadness and regret, as she acknowledges the pain of the breakup and the fact that she used to care about her boyfriend. Overall, the song is a reflection of the ups and downs of relationships and the difficulty of letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been lying,
to keep you from this pain
I have been dishonest to avoid hurting you
Now your crying,
and to know that I'm to blame
And I'll miss you
But its over now
You are upset, but I am responsible for the relationship ending
I'm so sorry,
that it had to be this way
Please don't hate me,
but there's nothing you can say
To change my mind
I've got to go away
I regret what happened, but I have already decided to leave
The guy that I fell for
He wanted more and more
The person I loved was not satisfied with what we had
Bye Bye Boyfriend
It's time that I'd be on my way
Bye Bye Boyfriend
I used to like the way you said
Baby back it up,
lay down and work
It was fun but it couldn't last forever
Bye Bye pretty boy,
It's time to, It's time to pack it up
Baby 'cause its over now
I am saying goodbye to my boyfriend and acknowledging that our relationship ended and that it was a temporary thing
Let me tell you how it was when we started off
The tattoos and the lip pierce and raggedy style you used to rock
Lately everything you do and say is messed up
Things have changed, down is up we're outta luck
I am reminiscing about the past and how you have changed, making it impossible for us to continue
You never put the effort in to the things that really counted
A word here, and a kiss there
Could change the way its turning out
You work so hard at all the things I never cared about
How hands work & fingers moving, Eyes wide Shut
And baby I'm lonely
Though your right in front of me
You controlled me
That was the girl I used to be
Gave up myself
Well its over now
You did not prioritize what I valued, and although you were physically present, you did not meet my emotional needs
I'm backing up,
Baby cause it's over now
I am leaving you, and there is no turning back
Pretty pretty pretty pretty boyfriend,
C'mon
c'mon
c'mon
c'mon
Baby back it up
lay down and work
It was fun but it couldn't last forever
bye bye pretty boy
It's time to, It's time to pack it up
Baby 'cause it's over now
I am calling out my ex-boyfriend and acknowledging that our relationship was temporary, but fun while it lasted
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FEFE DOBSON, JAMES MCCOLLUM, JASON LEVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sheenamiller8226
One of my favorite songs back in the day. She is very underrated and should have been a bigger star.
@asiah6213
Ikr. I used to watch this when I was like 6 or 7 with my sister. I used to love this song. And I felt the same way.
@michellegermain2136
FeFe is amazing
@timhick6
It was a massive hit...around 2k?
@JanvanEs
I only heard about her when she was a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race and they had to lipsync to "Ghost". That's when I started checking her songs and now stumbled upon this one. Can't believe I had never heard about her before.
@adampearson8487
She wasnt willing to push the agenda like others have.. So you dont get the exposure
@anthonyjenkins2001
20 year old album and it's still great. Such an underrated artist.
@thataudhdchick
It still sounds just like the first time I put it in my CD player way back when
@xPSYDUCKx
Hell yeah! I haven’t heard this since I was like 15 and I’m 32 now and this is still 🔥🔥🔥
@katyyycat
Same here!