HEY CHILD
X Ambassadors Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I heard you got arrested in the street last night
You called me with a voice I didn't recognize
So you're numbin' the pain, stuck in your ways
Since we were kids it was like this
But I will be there, I will be there for you

Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh

Back in the '06, sellin' weed to the freshman kids
You were the end of my aim whenever separate
And I know you've been hurtin', think you deserve it
How did it end up like this?
Everything will be fine if you just get through tonight

Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright, oh
Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh

My brother's got a baby on the way now
I hope that you'll meet him some day
I hope he don't make the same mistakes we made
And when I look him in the eyes, I'll say

Hey child, hey child
You were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright, oh
Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh

Hey, hey child
Oh, oh
Hey, hey child
You're born wild
(We were born, we were born wild)
Let your neon lights




Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The song "Hey Child" from X Ambassadors' album "Orion" is an emotional track that tells the story of a troubled friend or loved one. The lyrics suggest that the person in question has gotten themselves into some kind of trouble and is now using drugs or alcohol to numb their pain. The voice on the phone that calls the singer is unrecognizable, highlighting how far gone the person may be. Nonetheless, the singer is there for them, and the lyrics vow to support them through whatever difficulties they face.


The chorus of the song is where the title "Hey Child" comes from. It's a call for the person to remember what it was like to be wild and free in their childhood, to let their inner "neon lights" shine bright once more. The singer even mentions his brother's baby, hoping that they won't make the same mistakes they did. Then, the song comes full circle, and the opening line, "I heard you got arrested in the street last night," repeats, bringing the story to a close.


One interpretation of the song is that it's a message of hope and support for someone struggling with addiction or mental health issues. The lyrics convey a feeling of non-judgmental love and understanding and encourage the listener to hold onto their inner strength and resilience.


Line by Line Meaning

I heard you got arrested in the street last night
I received news that you were arrested on the street last night


You called me with a voice I didn't recognize
You called me, but your voice sounded different than usual


So you're numbin' the pain, stuck in your ways
You are using something to alleviate the pain and you are not changing your ways


Since we were kids it was like this
Our friendship has been like this since we were children


But I will be there, I will be there for you
I will always be there for you


Hey child, hey child
Listen up


We were born wild
We were born to be free and adventurous


Let your neon lights
Your individuality


Keep shinin' bright
Remain strong


Back in the '06, sellin' weed to the freshman kids
We used to sell marijuana to high school newcomers in 2006


You were the end of my aim whenever separate
You were always my ultimate goal when we were apart from each other


And I know you've been hurtin', think you deserve it
I know you are in pain and feel like you deserve it


How did it end up like this?
How did the situation get this bad?


Everything will be fine if you just get through tonight
If you get through tonight, everything will be okay


My brother's got a baby on the way now
My brother is expecting a baby


I hope that you'll meet him some day
I hope you will meet the baby at some point


I hope he don't make the same mistakes we made
I hope he doesn't repeat our past errors


And when I look him in the eyes, I'll say
When I see him, I will tell him


Hey child, hey child
Listen up


You were born wild
You were born to be free and adventurous


Hey, hey child
Listen up


You're born wild
You were born to be free and adventurous


Let your neon lights
Your individuality


Keep shinin' bright
Remain strong




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Levin, Andrew Michael Wells, Casey Wakeley Harris, Samuel Nelson Harris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

gk32

[Verse 1]
I heard you got arrested in the street last night
You called me with a voice I didn't recognize
So you're numbin' the pain, stuck in your ways
Since we were kids it was like this
But I will be there, I will be there for you

[Chorus]
Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh

[Verse 2]
Back in the '06, sellin' weed to the freshman kids
You were the yin to my yang, were never separate
And I know you've been hurtin', think you deserve it
How did it end up like this?
Everything will be fine if you just get through tonight

[Chorus]
Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright, oh
Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, oh

[Bridge]
Brother's got a baby on the way now
I hope that you'll meet him some day
I hope he don't make the same mistakes we made
And when I look at him in the eyes, I'll say

[Chorus]
Hey child, hey child
You were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright, oh
Hey child, hey child
We were born wild
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh

[Outro]
Hey, hey child
Oh, oh
Hey, hey child
You're born wild
(We were born, we were born wild)
Let your neon lights
Keep shinin' bright
Oh, oh



All comments from YouTube:

Fish

"And I know you been hurting Think you deserve it, How did it end up like this? Everything will be right, if you just get through tonight." This lyric hits me so hard

Frankie Nonya

That is true

Adolf Hitler

@Ghost 332 yes

Imom Pro

When he said hey I felt that 😔

Ghost 332

@Santiago Gil ha! No a cat that was hurting she didn't make the night. Sorry auto-correct she died very horrible I can't get over that fact.

Santiago Gil

@Ghost 332 u?

1 More Replies...

Matt Fischer

This song was the only thing that got me through last fall when my sister committed suicide. Thank you @XAmbassadors for helping me and my family find strength. Thank you so, so, so much for your art and to continue to inspire others with your wonderful music.

진희조

유감입니다 전 그느낌을 모르겠지만 응원 합니다

Justice King

This is the very best reason for us all to go back to work

Justice King

I LOVE THIS HERB AND THIS GROUP HAS DONE LEFT THE STORE WHERE YOU GET SOMETHING FOR THE TRIP BACK HOME. VERY TALENTED TONGUE IN THE SPIRIT OF CHANGE

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