While she had been playing guitar since childhood, it wasn’t until 2015 that Oladokun quit her job and took a shot at realizing her dream of making music full-time. She dropped a solo acoustic EP, Cathedrals, that year, and followed it up with 2016’s Carry, a full-band effort that included the single “Shelter,” which introduced her to a wider online audience.
Raised in a small rural community in Arizona, Joy Oladokun began playing guitar when she was ten years old. Inspired by artists like Tracy Chapman, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, and singer/songwriters of the ‘70s, Oladokun began writing songs but initially had no intention of pursuing music as a career, preferring to perform for family and friends, sometimes writing them new tunes as gifts. After completing college, Oladokun got a job and was planning to settle into her new position when a friend asked her what she would be doing if money were not a consideration. Oladokun replied writing songs and traveling, and her friend urged her to follow her muse before it was too late.
Oladokun relocated to Los Angeles, and initially landed gigs as a backing vocalist while she honed her craft and played occasional solo shows. In April 2015, Oladokun released a solo acoustic EP, Cathedrals, and later that year launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money to record a full-length album. Oladokun was able to raise more than her $30,000 budget, and Carry, featuring backing from a full band, was released in April 2016. Full of personal, emotionally powerful songs, Carry helped Oladokun expand her audience, and she followed it up with touring in the United States and the United Kingdom. The fiercely independent Oladokun continued to record and release new material in a series of singles, with “Memphis” appearing in October 2016, “No Turning Back” in April 2017, and “Sober” in June 2018.
Sober
Joy Oladokun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
I've been drunk for three years and fifteen days
All that perfume that you wear
And that good look on your face
I ignored all my worst fears
And now this liquor won't chase
The thought of you from my head
My mouth still stings from the taste of it
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
Don't know why I'm still crying
It's not like you're wide awake
Why am I tossing back whiskey?
I should be popping champagne
And I would swallow my pride 'cause I know what I gvave
Why should I poison myself to try and fix your mistakes?
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
(Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong
Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong)
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
(Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong
Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong)
The lyrics of Joy Oladokun's song "Sober" are about the aftermath of a toxic relationship. The singer of the song has finally come to terms with the reality that their partner was not good for them and has moved past the pain of the breakup. The repetition of "Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone / Shoulda known that you were wrong for me / Wrong for me, wrong" emphasizes the finality of the break up and the singer's understanding that the relationship was never meant to last. The line "Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder" is a metaphor for the singer's newfound clarity and the realization that they were only attracted to their partner because of their own personal issues.
The chorus of the song, "I hate being sober / My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely / I put my body and my soul through hell for you / Why does it hurt that it's over?" captures the pain and regret that the singer feels after the end of the relationship. They acknowledge the toll that the relationship took on their mental and physical health and wonder why they still feel hurt by its ending. The lines "I've been drunk for three years and fifteen days / And now this liquor won't chase / The thought of you from my head / My mouth still stings from the taste of it" demonstrate how the singer has been using alcohol to numb the pain for a long time and is now finally facing it.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sober" are about the process of healing from a toxic relationship and the pain and confusion that come with it. The song's emotional lyrics and Joy Oladokun's soulful vocals make it a powerful exploration of heartbreak and the process of moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
The happy, comfortable feeling that once existed in the relationship is no longer present.
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
The singer now realizes that the relationship was never meant to be in the first place.
Wrong for me, wrong
Reiterating that the relationship was never right for the singer.
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
Being clear-headed has led to a more objective perception of the relationship.
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
The singer recognizes that they were only drawn to the other person out of youthful inexperience and naivety.
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
The singer admits to feeling broken and therefore susceptible to making poor relationship choices.
I hate being sober
The singer may find sobriety uncomfortable, but it has been helpful in seeing the relationship more clearly.
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
The singer is experiencing physical and emotional side effects of ending the relationship.
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
The singer deeply invested in the relationship, enduring emotional and physical pain because of it.
Why does it hurt that it's over?
The singer is genuinely confused as to why it is so difficult to walk away from a relationship they now know is not right for them.
Don't know why I'm still crying
The singer can't seem to control their emotional outbursts, even though they know what's best for them.
It's not like you're wide awake
The other person is not awake (i.e., aware), making it even harder for the singer to move on.
Why am I tossing back whiskey?
The singer is trying to numb the pain of the breakup with alcohol.
I should be popping champagne
It is ironic that the singer is drinking to forget the relationship instead of celebrating its end.
And I would swallow my pride 'cause I know what I gave
The singer is willing to compromise and accepts that they have given a lot to the relationship but are not getting anything worthwhile in return.
Why should I poison myself to try and fix your mistakes?
The singer realizes that drinking to forget the relationship is not a healthy coping mechanism and won't fix the other person's mistakes or the inevitable end of the relationship.
Writer(s): Lukasz Gottwald
Contributed by Christian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JoyOladokun
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
I've been drunk for three years and fifteen days
Off that perfume that you wear
And that good look on your face
I ignored all my worst fears
And now this liquor won't chase
The thought of you from my head
My mouth still stings from the taste of it
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
Don't know why I'm still crying
It's not like you're wide awake
Why am I tossing back whiskey?
I should be popping champagne
And I would swallow my pride 'cause I know what I gave
Why should I poison myself to try and fix your mistakes?
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong
Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong
@JoyOladokun
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
I've been drunk for three years and fifteen days
Off that perfume that you wear
And that good look on your face
I ignored all my worst fears
And now this liquor won't chase
The thought of you from my head
My mouth still stings from the taste of it
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
Don't know why I'm still crying
It's not like you're wide awake
Why am I tossing back whiskey?
I should be popping champagne
And I would swallow my pride 'cause I know what I gave
Why should I poison myself to try and fix your mistakes?
Now that I'm sober my temperature's a little colder
I see it clearly now, I only fell for you
'Cause I was young, dumb and broken
I hate being sober
My hands are shaking and the nights are lonely
I put my body and my soul through hell for you
Why does it hurt that it's over?
Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong
Gone, guess that good old feeling's gone
Shoulda known that you were wrong for me
Wrong for me, wrong
@claytonfrancisco7607
I know I'm quite off topic but do anybody know a good place to watch newly released tv shows online?
@kaisimon9894
@Clayton Francisco lately I have been using Flixzone. Just google for it =)
@mariahconklin4150
@@claytonfrancisco7607 lol! I do that to sometimes
@lewisstevens4124
That's music 🎶🎵
@amandalynngibson8332
Love this! Breaking up from addictive relationship feels just like detox. I choose to abstain from all that poisons me..
@KeannaNicole
WHY ARE YOU NOT FAMOUS??? IM OBSESSED!!
@allbicepsnobrains
NOWTHISISSINGING
@Boo-pn5yd
this song is ADDICTIVE.
@sagoon1938
played this ~10 times this last week. Great song :)