Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
Howwhywuz Howwhyam
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
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Well now I just don't bother
I'd empty out my pockets
If someone asked me for a quarter.
There was a time that I'd give the time
To the old, the weak, and the weird.
I just don't know why this is so
But I've never been so scared
Are things getting harder?
I used to never cry
When I would think about my father.
The years went past so goddamn fast.
You know, I've left a lot behind
My devil could care attitude,
You know, I just can't seem to find.
And once upon a time
I never minded very much
I never let it knock me down
Or grind me out of touch
Am I getting older?
Are things getting harder?
I used to never cry
When I would think about my father.
Once I had an outlook
Different than it is
Full of dreams and schemes
It seems they just do not exist
And once I told myself
He will not be missed
Now now now I never thought that I would see the day
I'd ever feel like this
Am I getting older?
Are things getting harder?
I used to never cry
When I would think about my father.
Am I getting older?
Are things getting harder?
I used to never cry
When I would think about my father.
I used to never cry
I used to never cry
I used to never cry
When I would think about my father.
The lyrics to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' "Howwhywuz Howwhyyam" express profound reflections on the changes and challenges of aging. The song touches on themes of empathy, mortality, and regret as the singer compares their past self to their present state. The first verse alludes to a loss of innocence and generosity, as the singer acknowledges they no longer donate their time or money to strangers like they used to. The repetition of the phrase "I just don't know why this is so / But I've never been so scared" suggests a feeling of confusion and unease that may stem from the singer's increased vulnerability as they age.
Throughout the song, there is a sense that the singer's relationship with their father is a significant marker of time and loss. They describe a growing emotional vulnerability and a newfound tendency to cry when thinking about their father, which contrasts with a previous lack of expression. The line "once I told myself he will not be missed" is a stark realization that the singer's previous outlook was not only naïve but also impossible to maintain as they confront their own mortality.
Overall, "Howwhywuz Howwhyyam" is a poignant and relatable meditation on aging and the internal struggle to come to terms with our own limitations and limitations of the ones we love.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to talk to cab drivers
I used to be sociable and talk to anyone, even cab drivers.
Well now I just don't bother
Nowadays, I don't even try to talk to strangers or make small talk.
I'd empty out my pockets, If someone asked me for a quarter.
I used to be more generous and willing to give to those in need, even strangers who asked for change.
There was a time that I'd give the time To the old, the weak, and the weird.
I used to make an effort to be kind and compassionate to those who were elderly, disabled, or outcasts.
I just don't know why this is so But I've never been so scared
I don't understand why I'm feeling this way, but I'm more afraid and nervous than I've ever been before.
Am I getting older? Are things getting harder? I used to never cry When I would think about my father.
As I get older, life seems to be more difficult and challenging. I used to be able to think of my dad without getting emotional, but now I can't.
The years went past so goddamn fast. You know, I've left a lot behind My devil could care attitude, You know, I just can't seem to find.
Time has flown by so quickly, and I've lost a lot along the way. I used to have a carefree attitude, but I can't seem to find it anymore.
And once upon a time I never minded very much I never let it knock me down Or grind me out of touch
In the past, I was able to handle setbacks and challenges without getting too upset or detached from my emotions.
Once I had an outlook Different than it is Full of dreams and schemes It seems they just do not exist
I used to have a different perspective on life and be full of ambition and ideas. However, it seems that these dreams and plans have not come to fruition.
And once I told myself He will not be missed Now now now I never thought that I would see the day I'd ever feel like this
I convinced myself that I wouldn't miss someone or something that was gone, but now I realize that I was wrong. I never thought I would feel so depressed and discouraged.
Am I getting older? Are things getting harder? I used to never cry When I would think about my father.
Again, I question whether life is getting more difficult as I age. I used to be able to think of my dad without getting emotional, but now I can't.
I used to never cry I used to never cry I used to never cry When I would think about my father.
This refrain emphasizes the idea that the artist never used to get emotional or cry, specifically when thinking about their father. This has obviously changed, and now they cry more easily.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DICKY BARRETT, NATE ALBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind