Where Have You Been
Reel Big Fish Lyrics


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You called me up last night in tears
And said you missed me after all these years
But I've been waiting here so long
I've gotten over it since you've been gone

You called me late last night again
And said you're finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
So sorry that you left me all alone

Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?

You showed up at my door today
And said my friend why do you push me away
Yeah, life with him was just so dull
But what we had was something wonderful

Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?

No way, you wish, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again?
Yeah right, as if, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again, again?

You called me late last night again
You said you've finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
So sorry that you left me all alone

Well, you say you love me, love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?

You say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?




And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?

Overall Meaning

The song "Where Have You Been?" by Reel Big Fish is a tale of a scorned lover who has moved on from an old flame, only to be presented with the opportunity to take them back. The song begins with a call from the ex-lover in tears, saying that they miss the singer after all these years. However, the singer has waited so long that they have gotten over their ex-lover.


The song progresses with the same ex-lover calling again and saying that they have finished with their new boyfriend and want to come back home. However, the singer is not interested in rekindling the relationship and tells them to go to hell. The ex-lover then shows up at the singer's door, saying that their life with their new partner was just so dull, but what they had was something wonderful.


The lyrics explore the theme of moving on from a failed relationship and the difficulties of opening oneself up to the possibility of reconciliation. The singer has moved on and built a life without their ex-lover, but they are tempted to take them back. However, the singer realizes that they don't need the drama and hurt their ex-lover caused them and ultimately refuses to let them back into their life.


Line by Line Meaning

You called me up last night in tears
You contacted me last night crying


And said you missed me after all these years
You expressed that you missed me after a long time


But I've been waiting here so long
But I've been waiting for you for a long time


I've gotten over it since you've been gone
I've moved on since you left


Well, say you love me, you love me again
Express your love for me once again


But if you love me, where have you been?
But if you truly love me, why did you leave me?


You say you need me more than anyone else
You claim that you need me more than anyone else


Well, go to hell, where have you been?
Well, go away if you have been away for so long


You asked if you could come back home
You requested to come back to me


So sorry that you left me all alone
You are apologizing for leaving me all alone


You showed up at my door today
You arrived at my doorstep today


And said my friend why do you push me away
And enquired why I am pushing you away


Yeah, life with him was just so dull
You admit that life with him was boring


But what we had was something wonderful
But our relationship was something special


No way, you wish, I don't need this
Absolutely not, you wish, I don't want this


What makes you think I'd ever want you again?
What makes you believe that I would want you back in my life?


You say you love me, love me again
You say you love me, once again


And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you indeed love me, why were you not around?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: AARON BARRETT, MATT WONG, SCOTT ALLEN KLOPFENSTEIN, DAN REGAN, CARLOS F. GARZA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@copykatninja

Hell yeah, I will always remember seeing you guys live, one of the best shows I've ever had the pleasure of going to was them and Streetlight Manifesto! Always loved this song; instant eargasm. Thanks guys <3

@richardpena6836

Still one of my favorite albums. I never knew there was a video for this song. Thanks!

@styleshbk

This is one of the RBF songs that was played on the P Rock channel on sky TV in the UK. Responsible for me properly getting into the band.

@jongredic

P-Rock was an awesome channel, I got into so many good bands because of them!

@styleshbk

@jongredic absolutely, same here.

@_Blazed_Bee_

Wish it was still going I remember my mum recording it with the vcr

@user-ut3vh8jo9c

i've still got a 3 hour tape i'll need to dig out. channel lasted only a year! felt a LOT longer.@@_Blazed_Bee_

@blackaspitch631

love this album especially the last song "Drunk Again" easily one of their best albums ever

@gabe1274

Drunk again is top 3 songs from RBF

@Filouspara456

I might have not listened to enough early RBF, but this song just feels like a departure from the typical upbeat tunes they jam to. This in no way means that the song isnt good. Its one of my favorites and just incredibly solid all over from the melody to the lyrics and little harmonies. Love u guys! Come to Austria sometime <3

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