Following the release of their seventh studio album Cageless (2017) and its accompanying tour, current members of Hedley faced accusations of sexual misconduct with young women over the course of their career. After Hoggard faced additional accusations of sexual assault by two women, the group confirmed they would enter an indefinite hiatus.
On July 23, 2018, Hoggard was charged with one count of Sexual Interference and two counts of Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm. On June 5, 2022, Hoggard was convicted of sexually assaulting the Ottawa woman.
On November 8, 2018, former drummer of the band Chris Crippin spoke out against Hoggard's behaviour during his time with the band. Crippin stated he was routinely called a "f*ggot" and was told to "shut the fuck up" when he tried to speak out. In a separate interview in July 2019, Crippin said that Hoggard was "extremely rude" and it wasn't behaviour he wanted to be around.
On October 20, 2022, Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard was sentenced to 5 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an Ottawa woman.
321
Hedley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I chose to ignore it
It came back and bit me
Seems like we're victims of bad timing
'Cause you wanted more than I did
I can't give you what you need
She said "hold me, hold me, closely, closely"
3-2-1, it's the final meltdown I want out now
I wish I would've known to doubt you
I'm better off alone without you
3-2-1, it's the same old story, love gets gory
Why'd we have to go and change things?
Now touching you is such a strange thing
I got so caught up in the moment
That I forgot what it all meant
But still I'd do it all again
You said, "no strings attached, I'm wild"
I didn't know you're in denial
And you became my ball and chain
She said "hold me, hold me, closely, closely"
That's when I should have ran
3-2-1, it's the final meltdown I want out now
I wish I would've known to doubt you
I'm better off alone without you
3-2-1, it's the same old story, love gets gory
Why'd we have to go and change things?
Now touching you is such a strange thing
She said "hold me, hold me, closely, closely"
"Hold me, hold me, closely, closely"
That's when I should have ran
3-2-1, it's the final meltdown I want out now
I wish I would've known to doubt you
I'm better off alone without you
3-2-1, it's the same old story, love gets gory
Why'd we have to go and change things?
Now touching you is such a strange thing
She's holding on while she can
Why'd we have to go and change things?
She's holding on while she can
Now touching you is such a strange thing
She's so out of hand
I'm dreading all the baggage and what it brings
She's so out of hand
But still I'd do it all again.
The song "321" by Hedley is a reflection on a relationship that has come to an end due to bad timing and miscommunication. The singer of the song had heard some warning signs about the relationship but chose to ignore them in the moment. However, eventually, those issues came back to bite him, and he realizes he cannot give his partner what she needs. The line "hold me, hold me, closely, closely" is repeated throughout the song and represents the partner's desire for closeness, whereas the singer is unwilling or unable to give her that.
The title of the song, "321," represents the final countdown to the meltdown of the relationship. The singer is trying to end things on his terms when he realizes that the relationship was always doomed, having gone awry because of too much time spent together or too little, too much distance or too much attachment.
Overall, "321" is a song about the complexities and difficulties of relationships, particularly when people's needs and expectations are not in sync. It is a very relatable song for anyone who has gone through a break-up or knows the feeling of being in a relationship that is not fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard a distant early warning
I had an initial cautionary signal that predicted trouble in my relationship.
But I chose to ignore it
Despite knowing the warning signs, I decided to overlook them.
It came back and bit me
The consequences of ignoring the warning signals came back to harm me.
Seems like we're victims of bad timing
Our relationship failed because of misaligned circumstances.
'Cause you wanted more than I did
You desired a level of intimacy that I was not willing to offer.
I can't give you what you need
I am unable to fulfill your emotional needs.
That's when I should have ran
When you wanted closeness, I should have recognized the danger signals and left the relationship.
3-2-1, it's the final meltdown I want out now
The relationship is about to collapse, and I want to end it immediately.
I wish I would've known to doubt you
Had I recognized the signs of trouble earlier, I would have doubted your intentions.
I'm better off alone without you
I realize that I am happier without you in my life.
It's the same old story, love gets gory
This relationship has followed the same pattern that other failed relationships have followed before with emotional messiness.
Why'd we have to go and change things?
Why did we try to transform the relationship when it was already working in some sort of equilibrium?
Now touching you is such a strange thing
Having physical contact with you feels weird now because of the breakdown in the relationship.
I got so caught up in the moment
I became too involved in the romantic energy of the relationship.
That I forgot what it all meant
In the intensity of the romance, I forgot the larger problems and challenges we were facing.
But still I'd do it all again
Despite the troubles and fallout, I would pursue the relationship again.
You said, 'no strings attached, I'm wild'
You suggested that you were not looking for a serious relationship and were comfortable being free-spirited.
I didn't know you're in denial
I was not aware that your apparent embrace of personal freedom was really denial of deeper psychological attachment issues.
And you became my ball and chain
Despite your earlier protestations, you became emotionally attached to me, and my inability to reciprocate led to difficulties.
She's holding on while she can
Despite the problems with the relationship, you are holding on as long as you can.
She's so out of hand
The relationship is becoming chaotic and difficult to manage.
I'm dreading all the baggage and what it brings
I am concerned about the emotional issues and complications that the relationship will bring.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTIAN ROBERT CRIPPIN, JACOB WILLIAM HOGGARD, THOMAS WALTER MACDONALD, DAVE ROSIN, BRIAN JOHN HOWES, JIM VALLANCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BlueThrottleDream85
When I got my first car - 14 years ago my girls and I would blast this in the car with our hands out the window and singing at the top of lungs, omg memories!
Meatsaxs
Can’t find what album this songs from
CodySmith_73
Underrated song. One of the best by Hedley.
Nile Asp
Nobody can beat hedley!! the do not get enough recognition at all!! Listen to their lyrics actually list all songs have an amazingly accurat beautiful story... keep going guy we love you and support you always!!!
torontowestern
What makes Hedley so good is that they sing so many styles and genres and I always seem to love everything they put out!
miranda cada rette
Hedley never fails to impress me they have always made good music
Don'tWorryAboutIt.
I was 8 when me and my brother picked this album up at HMV. Now I’m 24 going on a nostalgia binge between this and AAR.
Cheryl Mansfield
did anyone else notice the piano in the beginning is "on my own"? hedley's amazing! i seen them friday in halifax, they were sooo great.
smith9285
this is the first ever hedley song ive heard and since then i have been a fan which was when the song came out. i love them and their music. i cant wait until their next album comes out.
Marloes Smulders
Hedley is an AWESOME band :)!!!