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.
I'll Be With You
Hedley Lyrics
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Sunset Boulevard
Flashing lights, read my rights
I guess I went too far
Talking trash, spent my cash
No one else to blame
It always ends, it always ends the same
If I don't inhale tonight
And if I don't lose a fight
And if I don't lose my mind
I'll be with you
I'll be with you
Oh darling every time I try to stop
Every time they call the cops
If I don't do the stupid shit I do
I'll be with you
Sleep all day, up all night
Story of my life
Tried to change, change my ways
I can't get it right
I'll get clean, Charlie Sheen
Maybe not today
It always ends, it always ends the same
If I'm not in jail tonight
If I don't inhale tonight
And if I don't lose a fight
And if I don't lose my mind
I'll be with you
I'll be with you
Oh darling, every time I try to stop
Every time they call the cops
If I don't do the stupid shit I do
I'll be with you
I'll be with you
Oh darling, every time I try to stop
Every time they call the cops
If I don't do the stupid shit I do
I'll be with you
If I'm not in jail tonight
If I don't inhale tonight
And if I don't lose a fight
And if I don't lose my mind
I'll be with you
I'll be with you
Oh darling, every time I try to stop
Every time they call the cops
If I don't do the stupid shit I do
I'll be with you
I'll be with you
Oh darling, every time I try to stop
Every time they call the cops
If I don't do the stupid shit I do
I'll be with you
The lyrics to Hedley's song "I'll Be With You" tell the story of a person who struggles with addiction and self-destructive behavior. At 5 a.m. on Sunset Boulevard, the person is alone and wondering where their friend is. They have been in trouble with the law and have no one to blame but themselves. They recognize that their behavior leads to the same outcome every time, yet they can't seem to stop. The person acknowledges that if they can avoid getting arrested, using drugs, getting into a fight or losing their mind, they can be with the one they love.
The chorus serves as a promise to their partner that they will be there for them if they can avoid their self-destructive tendencies. The line "Oh darling, every time I try to stop, every time they call the cops, if I don't do the stupid shit I do, I'll be with you" shows the person's recognition that they need to change and how their behavior affects their relationship. The reference to Charlie Sheen is likely a nod to his well-known struggles with addiction and destructive behavior.
Overall, the song highlights the struggle of addiction and the desire to be there for someone despite one's own personal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
5 a.m., where's my friend?
The singer is alone at 5am and wondering where their friend is.
Sunset Boulevard
The setting is on Sunset Boulevard, a famous street in Los Angeles.
Flashing lights, read my rights
The singer has been arrested and is being read their rights by the police.
I guess I went too far
The singer has done something that has caused them to get arrested.
Talking trash, spent my cash
The singer has been reckless with their words and has spent their money irresponsibly.
No one else to blame
The singer takes full responsibility for their actions.
It always ends, it always ends the same
The singer has a pattern of getting into trouble and knows that it will happen again in the future.
If I'm not in jail tonight
The singer is hoping to avoid getting arrested again tonight.
If I don't inhale tonight
The singer is hoping to avoid doing drugs tonight.
And if I don't lose a fight
The singer is hoping to avoid getting into a physical altercation tonight.
And if I don't lose my mind
The singer is hoping to avoid losing control of their emotions tonight.
I'll be with you
The singer wants to spend time with their significant other.
Oh darling every time I try to stop
The singer acknowledges that they have a problem and have been trying to change their ways.
Every time they call the cops
The singer has a pattern of getting into trouble with the police.
If I don't do the stupid shit I do
The singer knows that their behavior can be reckless and wants to avoid doing anything that will get them in trouble.
I'll be with you
The singer repeats their desire to spend time with their significant other.
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATTHEW BACH SQUIRE, LUCAS BANKER, JACOB JAKE HOGGARD, PATRICK NISSLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind