Where Were You
Golden Child/KJ-52 Lyrics

Daddy why did you do that to mommy?
The child is questioning why their father is hurting their mother.

You said if we hit somebody we're suppose to say sorry
The father preaches to apologize when one hits someone, but doesn't follow his own advice.

But you never say sorry daddy you yell now
The father yells instead of apologizing.

Why did you tell that man that mommy just fell down
The father covers up the abuse by lying to others.

Mommy didn't fall down daddy's lying
The child knows the father is lying about the abuse and that their mother was actually hurt.

Mommy why are you always sad and always crying?
The child is concerned about their mother's emotional state.

Daddy why are you always mad you always fighting?
The child is concerned about their father's temper and physical behavior.

Why do you always say I'm bad even when I'm trying?
The father always puts the blame on the child, even when they are trying to do good.

No I don't want to go to my room
The child is afraid of being punished, possibly by being locked in their room.

I don't want to go to bed now I want to be with you
The child wants comfort from their parents rather than being left alone.

I don't want to daddy it's to early
The child isn't ready for bed yet and doesn't want to be forced to sleep.

I didn't mean it daddy I'm sorry I'm sorry
The child apologizes to their father, possibly for misbehaving.

I promise I'll never say that again
The child promises to behave better in the future.

I'm sorry daddy please don't hit me again
The child is begging for their father to stop physically hurting them.

Please I'll be a good boy now
The child is willing to behave well in hopes of avoiding further punishment.

Don't put me in the room please don't turn the lights out
The child is afraid of being left alone in a dark room as punishment.

(what did I do? I'm sorry daddy that's all I want to say to you)
The child is confused about what they did wrong but apologizes anyway to try to avoid punishment.

Where?where were you? just when I needed you Daddy where were you Where?where were you?just when I needed you Mommy where were you
The chorus expresses the child's disappointment in their parents for being absent or not helping them during difficult times.

(golden child)
Switch to the perspective of KJ-52 as an adult.

What up pops I ain't got to tell you my heart is as hard as a rock
KJ-52's heart has hardened due to the pain and abuse he suffered from his father.

Things have changed since I was the age six
KJ-52 acknowledges that time has passed since he was a child experiencing abuse.

Yet some situations stay the same Like the way I conceal my pain
KJ-52 is still concealing and dealing with the emotional pain he experienced as a child.

Growing up I'd swear my name was every profane thing a man could say
KJ-52 was subjected to verbal abuse and called profane names by his father.

I used to make excuses like you weren't the one that hit her It was just the liquor in ya
KJ-52 used to try and excuse his father's behavior by blaming the alcohol for the abuse.

My dad the perfect example of hatred and why am I so bitter?
KJ-52's father embodies hate, leaving KJ-52 bitter and resentful towards him.

Ya told me real men don't cry that was a lie
KJ-52's father taught him not to express emotion, a harmful and untrue notion.

You don't realize what goes on inside of my mind
KJ-52's father doesn't understand or acknowledge the pain his son is going through.

As time passed my heart ran cold my emotions froze Lost track of the bruises and the broken bones
KJ-52 became numb to the abuse and started to disregard the physical pain he experienced.

Just once wanted to hear that you loved me Wrap your arms around me and hug me yeah right
KJ-52 longed for affection from his father, but the idea of his father showing love seemed impossible.

Remember the first time I couldnt feel the pain It was when grandma came and took me to church
KJ-52 felt relief and comforted after attending church with his grandma for the first time.

Where God relieved the hurt and he knows it took work But I forgave you he could save you but the question is Will you let him in it would be such a blessing To see you as a changed man and holdin my mother's hand
KJ-52 forgave his father and hopes that he can find redemption and change his ways to have a better relationship with his mother.