Dutton, born in Philadelphia, began playing guitar at age 8. He wrote his first song by the time he was in the 9th grade and began playing harmonica in a wire rack. Dutton credits Bob Dylan and John Hammond Jr., as well as then-contemporary "old school" hip-hop sounds of Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, and Philadelphia's own Schooly D as influences.
Dutton, still in high school at Germantown Friends School, began playing solo on the streets of Philadelphia. After a year of college, he relocated to Boston, working as a fundraiser for Peace Action and playing wherever and whenever he could. One of his few indoor gigs at this time was a Boston bar called The Tam O'Shanter, where he met drummer Jeffrey "The Houseman" Clemens in January 1993. Dutton and Clemens began working as a duo, they were joined a few months later by bassist Jim "Jimi Jazz" Prescott and became the house band on Mondays at The Plough and Stars in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The name G. Love doesn't really have that much of a story to it. The 'G' stands for Good as said in many radio interviews. He said in an interview that the 'Love' was just there because it sounded right.
G. Love featured Jack Johnson on his 1999 LP Philadelphonic playing an early version of Jack Johnson's "Rodeo Clowns" when Jack was an unknown artist. Jack later featured the song on his 2003 LP On and On.
Known nowadays for his excellent live shows, he is often seen touring with Jack Johnson, who signed G. Love to his record label Brushfire Records. He has made appearances on the records of artists such as Slightly Stoopid and Donavon Frankenreiter.
Can't Go Back To Jersey
G. Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm infected with your love I need some Bacitracin
Please don't kick me out on the streets out the door
I don't want to stay on my cousin's couch no more
I can't do it I can't go back to livin' that way
Sweet sweet sugar momma
I know that I can change
I won't do the shit that piss you off and make you mad
Or being out late night with the fellas at the club
Or the time I forgot your birthday cuZ I's at the studio
And I will try to be a little more sensitive
Because I love you baby boo boo
And I need a place to live
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
Why ya Why ya Why ya
Gotta do me like that?
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
Why ya Why ya Why ya
Gotta do me like that?
Yo, I got a message from my girl who was furious and cryin
She said who was that chick you were speakin with last night
Now stop lying
Oh no! What can I do I'm against the wall
While I was flirting with this honey
I made a pocket call
For 15 minutes she heard me layin it on thick
Now she's got the kitchen knife and she's staring at the dilsnick
Nothing happened
I didn't touch her, didn't even smile, didn't even fuck her
didn't grind for a little while
Didn't even laugh, buy a drink or hold her hand
She slapped me in the face
And said pack your shit man!
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
Why ya Why ya Why ya
Gotta do me like that?
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
Why ya Why ya Why ya
Gotta do me like that?
Like dat, and you don't stop...
You know I'm squirmin' tryin' to get back in good graces
I keep layin'it on thick tripping on my shoelaces
I really love you, I rub a dub you
I fill the tub with bubbles on the double
Oh shit I'm in trouble
Buy you flowers cook you dinner
I hope my friends
Don't see you running me 'round like Bruce Jenner
That would not be cool it might ruin my rep
And my main objective is to keep the bed where we slept
last night and the night before last
Gotta solve this problem fast
Move past this situation
I really should've had my phone on lock
Cause she just threw all of my shit
out the window on the block
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
Why ya Why ya Why ya
Gotta do me like that?
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
I Can't go back to Jersey
I ain't goin' back
Why ya Why ya Why ya
Gotta do me like that?
* Lemonade
LEMONADE
LEMON-A-D-E!
G. Love & Special Sauce's song "Can't Go Back to Jersey" is a humorous depiction of a guy who has fallen head over heels for a girl and will do anything to stay with her, including cleaning up his act. The lyrics express how the singer is willing to change himself for his lady love and the consequences he faces when he messes up. The line “I’m infected with your love I need some Bacitracin,” captures his love addiction and inability to resist her charm. He pleads with her not to throw him out or make him return to his meager life on his cousin's couch in New Jersey, signifying his desire to hold on to their relationship. The chorus "I Can't go back to Jersey" highlights the singer's desperation to not lose his newfound happiness and his efforts to win back his girlfriend’s love.
Line by Line Meaning
You're so fine from your toes to your hips and your face
I find you attractive from head to toe.
I'm infected with your love I need some Bacitracin
I am deeply in love with you and cannot help myself.
Please don't kick me out on the streets out the door
Please do not abandon me.
I don't want to stay on my cousin's couch no more
I cannot bear staying on a temporary accommodation any longer.
I can't do it I can't go back to livin' that way
I cannot return to the difficult conditions I faced before.
Sweet sweet sugar momma
My darling partner.
I know that I can change
I am willing to make an effort to improve myself for our relationship.
I won't do the shit that piss you off and make you mad
I will avoid doing things that upset you or anger you.
Like running late to dinner with your business friends
I will not be late for important occasions with your colleagues.
Or being out late night with the fellas at the club
I will not stay out with my friends until late night without prior permission.
Or the time I forgot your birthday cuZ I's at the studio
I am sorry for forgetting your birthday because I was occupied with work.
And I will try to be a little more sensitive
I will be more aware of your feelings and emotions in the future.
Because I love you baby boo boo
I love you very much.
And I need a place to live
I need a stable home for our relationship.
Yo, I got a message from my girl who was furious and cryin
My partner sent me an angry and upset message.
She said who was that chick you were speakin with last night
My partner was unhappy about me speaking with another woman.
Now stop lying
I was not truthful with my partner about my actions.
Oh no! What can I do I'm against the wall
I feel helpless and trapped with the predicament I am in.
While I was flirting with this honey
I was being playful with another woman.
I made a pocket call
I accidentally called my partner while I was with another woman.
For 15 minutes she heard me layin it on thick
My partner heard me flirting with the other woman on the phone for some time.
Now she's got the kitchen knife and she's staring at the dilsnick
My partner is furious and threatening me with a knife.
Nothing happened
I did not cheat on my partner in any way.
I didn't touch her, didn't even smile, didn't even fuck her
I did not have any physical or sexual contact with the other woman.
Didn't grind for a little while
I did not engage in any physically suggestive behavior.
Didn't even laugh, buy a drink or hold her hand
I did not have any casual or friendly interaction with the woman.
She slapped me in the face
My partner physically assaulted me in her anger.
And said pack your shit man!
My partner asked me to leave her home and relationship.
You know I'm squirmin' tryin' to get back in good graces
I am making an earnest effort to earn my partner's forgiveness.
I keep layin'it on thick tripping on my shoelaces
I am going overboard to prove my love, but clumsily.
I really love you, I rub a dub you
I love you and want to show you affection.
I fill the tub with bubbles on the double
I am preparing a romantic and enjoyable evening for us.
Oh shit I'm in trouble
I have made a mistake and harmed our relationship.
Buy you flowers cook you dinner
I will show you my love and appreciation by buying you flowers and cooking for you.
I hope my friends
I do not want my friends to see me being manipulated by my partner.
Don't see you running me 'round like Bruce Jenner
I do not want to be publicly ridiculed or emasculated by my partner.
That would not be cool it might ruin my rep
It would be damaging to my public image or reputation.
And my main objective is to keep the bed where we slept
My main goal is to keep our relationship and intimacy intact.
last night and the night before last
Our past intimacy is valuable and important to me.
Gotta solve this problem fast
We need to address and resolve our issues quickly.
I really should've had my phone on lock
I should have kept my phone secure to avoid any mishap.
Cause she just threw all of my shit out the window on the block
My partner threw my belongings out of her house, damaging our relationship.
* Lemonade
An unrelated exclamation to end the song.
LEMONADE
An unrelated exclamation to end the song.
LEMON-A-D-E!
An unrelated exclamation to end the song.
Contributed by Miles B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sophiapde6679
Love you G.Love..such brilliant music..Thank you.
@phsh3862
Classic…
@juneesser5153
G Love and Sauce...refreshing
@deliciousmorton
South Jersey, born and raised. Ever since I moved to Philly 3 years ago, this has been my jam. Seriously, fuck that place.
@mikeguinness5408
You're being harsh on SJ. I've lived here my whole life and have spent loads of time in Philly and while it's a cool city to visit and hangout in, unless you prefer the congestion of a city to the open space and blend of suburbia and rural country then you're being overly critical. It's cool if you're more a 'city mouse', but don't shitpan where you grew up because your preference is different. I rather enjoy less traffic, forests and woodlands, the beach, etc. to the concrete jungle, but I'd never shitpan Philly because it offers something different that's fun to experience now and then. "Seriously, fuck that place", is being over the top.
@anilyazar_
i love this song
@fairalways
This IS the jam. Correct!
@user-zd2cd6bk4r
Awesome...
@scoobgurl7
I can't believe that only more than 400 people have seen this.facepalm Some people are really missing out. This is the jam!
@franzswitches
Love it!