A performer since the age of seven (the age at which he joined the Broadway cast of Annie Get Your Gun), Nicholas made his songwriting debut in 2002, when a holiday tune he'd co-written with his father found its way onto a Broadway Christmas album. A contract with Columbia Records followed two years later. Nicholas began prepping for his solo career by writing material with his older brothers, Kevin and Joseph, who eventually climbed aboard as permanent partners. Nick's solo project thus blossomed into a full-fledged band, and the siblings aptly named themselves the Jonas Brothers.
It took several years for the Jonas Brothers to find an adoring audience. It's About Time, the band's 2006 debut, was a commercial flop, and Columbia Records dropped the group one year later. Signing with Hollywood Records in 2007, the band began attracting new fans -- most of them young and female -- by establishing a presence in the Disney world. They appeared on the network's television shows, earned their own series, starred in a made-for-TV movie with Disney starlet Demi Lovato, and sold close to two million copies of their self-titled sophomore album. They replicated that feat one year later with A Little Bit Longer and returned in 2009 with Lines, Vines and Trying Times. All of the albums featured heavy contributions from Nick, who not only led the songwriting process but also played a wide variety of instruments, from drums to keyboard to guitar.
Taking a rare break from the band, Nick Jonas began working with several other musicians on a side project in late 2009. Members from Prince's New Power Generation were recruited to join the lineup, including Michael Bland and Tommy Barbarella, and the group dubbed itself Nick Jonas & the Administration before making its debut in early 2010 with the album Who I Am. The record performed respectably, peaking at three on the U.S. charts on its way to sales of 151,000, but there were soon suggestions that Nick was planning to return to the Jonas Brothers fold. This didn't happen. A 2013 tour was scrapped just prior to its October launch and, soon afterward, the band split. Nick Jonas regrouped with a 2014 solo tour followed by the November release of an eponymous album. Over the course of 2014, Jonas gained momentum, generating the Top 10 single "Jealous," which also topped Billboard's dance charts, as did "Chains " and "Levels," a bonus track from 2015's Nick Jonas X2.
In the Summer of 2016, Jonas returned with a new full-length effort, Last Year Was Complicated, featuring production by Jason Evigan, Mattman & Robin, Sir Nolan, and others. Included on the album was "Close," a duet with Tove Lo, and "Bacon," featuring Ty Dolla $ign. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. Also around this time, Jonas returned to acting, starring in the erotic thriller Careful What You Wish For and the fraternity hazing drama Goat. In 2017, he released the singles "Remember I Told You," featuring Anne-Marie and Mike Posner, and "Find You." Also that year, he collaborated with Nicki Minaj on the track "Bom Bidi Bom" off the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack.
Area Code
Nick Jonas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hit you up, are you alone?
So many places this could go
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
I'm fucked up, you don't even know
Baby, it's better that you don't
I'm guessing now my cover's blown
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Don't know why I do it, but I do
Yeah, every time I have a drink or two
Get it bad for you (bad for you)
And I don't know why I do it but I do
Yeah, all this liquor bringing out the truth
And I, we both remember what we said
But let's agree to just forget
It's late night, you should go to bed
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
You say I never been good for you
You can't deny I gave it good to you
But we done made it unforgettable, it's crazy
And I'm hoping I could let you in
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Don't know why I do it, but I do
Yeah, every time I have a drink or two
Get it bad for you (bad for you)
And I don't know why I do it but I do
Yeah, all this liquor bringing out the truth
And I don't know why I do it, but I do
I don't know why I do it, but I, but I
Yeah
In Nick Jonas's song "Area Code," the lyrics paint a picture of a late-night encounter with someone in the same area code. The singer reaches out to the person, questioning if they are alone and expressing the potential for things to escalate. However, he also acknowledges that he is messed up and believes it's better for the other person not to know the extent of his current state. The lyrics suggest that the singer's cover or facade has been exposed.
The chorus delves into the idea of the singer's inexplicable attraction towards this person, particularly when he has had a few drinks. He confesses that he gets bad for them, indicating that he becomes infatuated or reverts to unhealthy behaviors when under the influence. Despite this, the liquor brings out the truth for him, showcasing his genuine feelings and desires.
The bridge of the song reflects on past conversations and interactions between the two individuals. The singer suggests that they both remember what was said, but encourages them to forget and move on. He implies that it is late and they should go to bed, perhaps implying that he wants to end the conversation or the situation on a positive note. The lyrics also acknowledge the other person's belief that the singer has never been good for them, yet they cannot deny the passionate experiences they have shared. The singer hopes that they can still find a way to reconnect and let each other in.
Overall, "Area Code" explores the complex emotions, desires, and blurred lines that can arise in late-night encounters fueled by alcohol.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in your area code
I am physically present in the same geographical area as you
I hit you up, are you alone?
I contacted you, are you by yourself?
So many places this could go
There are numerous potential directions this interaction could take
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Expressing enthusiasm or excitement
I'm fucked up, you don't even know
I am emotionally or mentally disturbed, and you have no idea
Baby, it's better that you don't
It is preferable for you not to be aware of my current state
I'm guessing now my cover's blown
I believe my secret or true intentions have been revealed
Don't know why I do it, but I do
I am uncertain about the reasons behind my actions, but I continue to do them
Yeah, every time I have a drink or two
Whenever I consume alcohol, without fail
Get it bad for you (bad for you)
I develop strong feelings or attraction towards you (which may not be healthy)
And I don't know why I do it but I do
Despite my lack of understanding, I still continue to engage in such behavior
Yeah, all this liquor bringing out the truth
Alcohol is causing me to reveal or disclose honest feelings or thoughts
And I, we both remember what we said
Both of us recall the words we exchanged
But let's agree to just forget
Let's mutually decide to disregard or erase those memories
It's late night, you should go to bed
Considering the time, it would be suitable for you to sleep
You say I never been good for you
You claim that I have never been beneficial or positive for you
You can't deny I gave it good to you
You cannot dispute that I provided satisfying or enjoyable experiences
But we done made it unforgettable, it's crazy
However, together we created something memorable or remarkable, which is astonishing
And I'm hoping I could let you in
I desire to open up or allow you to understand me better
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Expressing enthusiasm or excitement
I don't know why I do it, but I, but I
I am unaware of the reasons behind my actions, but I continue to engage in them
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SIMON WILCOX, IAN KIRKPATRICK, NICK JONAS, NOLAN LAMBROZA, SEAN DOUGLAS, JULIA MICHAELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Caity
I'm really not bothered by the autotune in this song. It was a very smart artistic choice.
Nick Jonas blows my mind with his ability to adapt and change his style and sound. This song is so badass. ❤️
Christine Mollicone
Right! It sounds so good in this song
Kaylynn Hunt
Same. He doesn't use it on every song. I think it's cool.on this one
Keyarra Edwards
Agree
Eusana Galilée
You don't need autotune Nick :)
TsukimeCovers
He really don't
MICO
it's a stylistic thing? it fits the genre of music he's going after in this track
JESUS SOTO
@Amanda Grider its just the style of the song. Like Cher's Believe
Amanda Grider
Yeah seriously Nick really don't need it cause his voice by itself is already hot an amazing😍❤
Robert Padgett
If he sounded the same all the time he wouldn't be shit.