Boomerang
Hooverphonic Lyrics


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He likes to play an electric guitar
He does sing, but not in a choir
He thinks he's cool with his 19” tires
Got the looks but he's playing with fire

Always comes back like a boomerang back to me
The words of a liar do hurt like breaking a knee
Sober feels out of control
Evenings are high, morning are lowW
He can't accept that he's getting thirty
He's oh so slow, never in a hurry





He serves desire with hurt as a potion to me
Whenever he's gone he reinvents the word free

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hooverphonic's song "Boomerang" seem to present a love-hate relationship with a man who is depicted as a reckless and somewhat immature individual. He is shown to have a superficial interest in music, only playing an electric guitar and not joining a choir. He also takes pride in his appearance, featuring 19” tires on his car, but his actions hint at a disregard for consequences, or even danger - hence, he is "playing with fire." Despite all these seemingly negative qualities, the singer seems to be unable to break out of this cycle with him. Even when he comes back repeatedly, like a boomerang, the singer acknowledges that his words and actions can be hurtful, akin to breaking a knee.


The words 'sober feels out of control' express a feeling of instability and anxiety that is further compounded by the man's tendency to oscillate between extremes - he is charming in the evening, but distant and aloof the next morning. The reference to getting "thirty" and being "oh so slow" might indicate that he is reaching a crucial age of self-reflection, but he is unable to come to terms with the passage of time or his limitations. Instead, he serves his own desires, often at the cost of hurting the singer with callous words, and when he is gone, he uses the idea of 'freedom' as a way to justify his behavior, seeing himself as a 'reinventor of the word free.'


Overall, the song attempts to show the complex and often painful experience of being with someone who can be reckless with their feelings and actions, but whom you can't seem to shake. The boomerang serves as a metaphor for the returning cycle of pain that the singer experiences, no matter how many times they try to move on.


Line by Line Meaning

He likes to play an electric guitar
He enjoys playing an electric guitar


He does sing, but not in a choir
He sings, but not as a part of a choir


He thinks he's cool with his 19” tires
He believes that his 19” tires make him look cool


Got the looks but he's playing with fire
Although he may look good, he is playing with danger


Always comes back like a boomerang back to me
He keeps returning to me, just like a boomerang


The words of a liar do hurt like breaking a knee
The lies he tells me are as painful as breaking a knee


Sober feels out of control
When he is sober, he feels as though he has no control


Evenings are high, morning are low
His emotions are heightened in the evening but subdued in the morning


He can't accept that he's getting thirty
He is struggling to come to terms with turning thirty


He's oh so slow, never in a hurry
He is a slow-moving person who is never in a rush


He serves desire with hurt as a potion to me
He manipulates my desires and uses painful methods to control me


Whenever he's gone he reinvents the word free
He always tries to redefine what it means to be free when he is not around




Contributed by Hudson G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Kevin Wilkinson

One of my favourite Hooverphonic songs. Gorgeously arranged song.💖

Denise

Me encanta esta canción ❤️❤️

Cedric Mathew Hudson

LOVE the summer vibes i'm getting from this album

Aaron Barton

Hooverphonic are awesome. I'm so glad that you're producing music videos for your new songs.

steve akehurst

Great band

seriousbe

Best song of the album!

Beyza Küçük

her voice feels like it's coming from 50's

LD.Tube

Amazing song!!! <3 <3 <3

Barry Broderick

Fantastic guys, love it! (Also, please come to Ireland!)

Ger Thoma

great song

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