I Want You Back
Hobo Johnson Lyrics

Stop, Fish
Introductory line, possibly a nonsensical phrase used just to catch the listener's attention.

I want you back
Expressing a desire to have someone from the past back in the singer's life.

That's the worst thing I can say
Acknowledging that expressing a desire to have someone back may not be well-received or may have negative consequences.

Only laying on the couch
The artist is currently experiencing a low point in their mental health, leading them to spend a lot of time being inactive on the couch.

Like ah, this couch could be my grave
The couch represents a comforting place of escape for the artist, but they are getting dangerously close to losing their ambition and hope for the future.

I want a slap
The singer is frustrated with themselves for their current state and wants a wake-up call to get motivated.

That would make me quite upset
While the singer wants to be motivated, they are also wary of experiencing more emotional pain and discomfort.

But if my brain came out my ear
An exaggerated and humorous way of expressing that the artist is willing to endure physical pain to get out of their mental state.

Then I guess that's what I'd get
Accepting the potential consequences of their desire to change and grow.

I need a nap
The artist is exhausted and needs a temporary break from their mental and emotional struggles.

And to see where all my edges are
The singer needs to spend time alone to reflect on their personality, boundaries, and strengths and weaknesses in order to move forward.

I need to be alone before I can even hope to start
Alone time is necessary for the artist to process their thoughts and emotions and begin making positive changes.

Spit on me again, that's impressive
The singer is in a self-destructive mindset and is sarcastically tempting fate to give them even more hardship or pain.

'Bout eight feet apart
The singer is currently separated from the person they want back, either physically or emotionally.

But if we laugh again
Reflecting on a past happy memory with the person they want back.

That will tear my mental health apart
The artist recognizes that dwelling on past happiness instead of improving their present state is detrimental to their mental health.

Fuck
An exclamation that signifies the end of this reflection or thought process and a return to the present situation.

How come everything is pain
A statement of despair, questioning why the singer is unable to maintain happiness or avoid negative experiences.

Every time I was happy
Reflecting on past positive experiences.

It surely went away
Acknowledge that the positive experiences eventually ended, leaving the artist feeling unhappy again.

But babe, they gotta work all day
Trying to rationalize why happiness is fleeting, attributing it to societal pressures and work-related stress.

For very little pay
Emphasizing that the work and stress that lead to a lack of happiness are not even rewarded with fair compensation.

I think that's fucked
Expressing frustration and disagreement with the current state of society and employment practices.

And sadly, so am I
Acknowledging that the artist is also struggling and impacted by the problems inherent in society's structure.

If I ever have kids I hope they can't see out their eyes
A dark reflection on the possible future of their offspring, expressing uncertainty about whether or not they would be happy or successful in a problematic world.

When I imagine my kids, they kinda look like you
Reflecting on their desire to have the person they want back in their future, even if that future is uncertain and difficult.

And I'm sorry, and that's true, I think I'm fucked
Apologizing for their negative mindset and expressing a belief that they are unable to escape their current mental and emotional state.

I really think I'm fucked
Repeating and reinforcing their belief that they are in a hopeless situation.

I made a million bucks (he made a million bucks)
The artist is successful in terms of material wealth.

But then I had to spend it all on therapy
Even though they had financial success, the singer recognizes that money did not solve their emotional issues and needed to be spent on therapy to address them.

I learned the deathly lesson (the world isn't that bad)
The singer became more aware of the negative aspects of the world through their therapy experience, such as their personal struggles and the struggle of society.

That money doesn't help my depression
Reemphasizing that wealth cannot solve or prevent mental health problems.

And you're stuck with your brain
No matter the artist's external circumstances, they cannot avoid their own thoughts and emotions.

No matter how much you make
Again, wealth cannot fix mental health problems nor prevent their reoccurrence.

And you will surely find new problems
Acknowledging that even after fixing or coping with current problems, new problems will always arise.

Naive is the thought to think money is ought
Stating that believing wealth can solve all problems is a naive perspective.

To be the thing that always solves them
Reiterating that wealth is not a guaranteed solution to any problems, particularly mental health struggles.

As we become obsessed with straight staring at phones
Commenting on the negative impact of technology on society and individuals.

My brain has now become unable to cope
The singer's mental health and ability to deal with problems have been compromised due to technology usage.

The techniques and the methods that they use on my brain
The tactics used by social media and search engine companies to manipulate users into spending more time on their platforms and consuming more content.

Are extremely effective, and far too great
The artist is acknowledging the success of these tactics but expressing concern about their impact on individuals and society as a whole.

And now I'm just laying here dead on my couch
Connecting the negative impact of technology on mental health to the previous lines about being inactive and unproductive on the couch.

Facebook and Google have their tubes in my mouth
A metaphor for the manipulation and control these companies have over individuals through social media and internet searches.

And as they generously feed me my ads for the day
The artist is being shown advertisements that are tailored to their interests and desires, which is both unsettling and frustrating.

For the week, for the month
The artist feels bombarded with advertisements from Facebook and Google across various time periods.

I think we're fucked
Summing up the negative impact of technology and societal problems, expressing a feeling of hopelessness.

And now I'm laying here dead on the couch
Reiterating the singer's unproductive and inactive state, potentially feeling stuck or trapped by their circumstances.

Facebook and Google have their tubes in my mouth
Reinforcing the idea that these companies have significant control over individuals and their choices, particularly regarding what they consume and purchase.

And as they generously feed me my ads for the day
Highlighting the manipulation and tailored advertising strategies employed by Facebook and Google to keep users engaged with their platforms and consuming advertisements.

For the week, for the month
Emphasizing that the effects of this manipulation are prolonged and ongoing, not just limited to a single day or interaction with the company.

I think we're fucked
Repeating the singer's earlier sentiment about the bleak state of society and individuals' situation in it.