Career
2020–2021: Beginnings on TikTok and "Toxic"
BoyWithUke began uploading to TikTok in 2020 after being introduced to the platform by his brother. At first, his content did not attract much attention on the platform, until 2021, when several of his videos (including Minute-Long Songs) started to perform well.
In September 2021, BoyWithUke released his extended play Faded, which features the single "Toxic". "Toxic" went viral on TikTok and was featured in over sixty-nine thousand videos on the platform. It was streamed around half a billion times. The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay charts after being on the charts for thirty-one consecutive weeks, which was the sixth-longest rise to No. 1 in Alternative Airplay's history. "Toxic" was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
2021–2022: Republic Records and Serotonin Dreams
In late 2021, BoyWithUke signed a deal with record label Republic Records. In 2022, he released the single "IDGAF", featuring Blackbear, from his album Serotonin Dreams. He released his debut major-label album, Serotonin Dreams, under Republic Records. It debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay and Billboard 200 charts and features "Toxic" as its lead single. After the album's release, BoyWithUke was listed as one of the top ten Billboard Emerging Artists. On September 30, 2022, he released the single "Sick of U" featuring Oliver Tree.
Throughout 2022, BoyWithUke opened for the indie-pop trio AJR on their OK Orchestra Tour.
As of March 2023, he has seven million followers on TikTok and almost two hundred thousand streams in the United States, according to Luminate Data.
2023–present: Antisocial and "Out of Reach"
BoyWithUke released the extended play Antisocial on February 24, 2023. It contains three songs, including the already debuted single, "Rockstar", which was released on February 10, as well as two songs that had previously been teased on his TikTok, "IDTWCBF (Friends)" and "Nosedive". On April 7, 2023, BoyWithUke released another single, "Out of Reach". It is the full version of one of his minute-long songs on TikTok. He also debuted the single with a Roblox concert featuring "Out of Reach", "Toxic", and "IDGAF".
Artistry
BoyWithUke wears an opaque face shield with two large LED lights in order to ensure his anonymity. His music is centered around the ukulele but also incorporates other instruments such as the piano. He self-composes his music on GarageBand from his iPad, a free digital audio workstation for Apple devices.
BoyWithUke's music has been described as "alternative" and "alt-pop". His famous songs besides these include "Two Moons", "Long Drives", "Loafers" and "Sick of U" (featuring Oliver Tree).
BoyWithUke's albums are said to follow a "Dreams Saga", with Melatonin Dreams talking heavily about depression and suicidal thoughts. Fever Dreams is said to be based upon one being less depressed and suicidal than its predecessor, but ultimately still focuses its core values on low self-esteem and generally melancholic and depressed themes. Serotonin Dreams is supposedly him "waking up" and the "Magnum Opus" of the saga as overall unlike its antecedent, Serotonin Dreams is focusing on realization and generally more positive values, whilst still having occasional references to the values of its predecessors.
Personal life
BoyWithUke keeps most of his personal life private. He has revealed that he lives in Boston, Massachusetts. BoyWithUke stated that he was forced into classical music from the age of four, but later dropped it. This was followed by him resuming music through writing music in high school. BoyWithUke revealed that he kept his identity hidden because he wants people to pay attention to his music and talent and not his looks. In October of 2023, he officially revealed his face and name, Charley Yang.
Bad Luck
boywithuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be dependent to medicine while I saw you running away
I said okay to myself
It′d be better for health if I turn around and look the other way
But my brain is a silicone mimic of a dome
And I say that I hate you, but I really don't
You fill my head with ideas
Ooh, baby, you stole my heart with your jumper
Kangaroos wearing shoes tryna run from the hunters
I don't know how you've been dealing with all of my shit
I hope I get to stay here with you
I′ll take you on a trip
Aw, shucks, my luck
I did not realize how much this could suck
I wish that I thought through everything first
′Cause the further you go through, the deeper the cuts
Aw, shucks, my luck
I'm feeling frisky when I see your butt
Got me on life support, feeling your lust
So where do we go now? I think I′m fucked
Yeah, look, I'm low-key into you
Lately I can′t help but think of taking you out (taking you out, yeah)
But there isn't anything I can do
So I guess I′ll just keep your name out my mouth (keep your name out my mouth)
Because I'm kinda into you
Lately I can't help but think of anything else (anything else)
But there isn′t anything I can do
I wish I could ask you for some help
Ooh, baby, you stole my heart with your jumper
Kangaroos wearing shoes tryna run from the hunters
I don′t know how you've been dealing with all of my shit
I hope I get to stay here with you
I′ll take you on a trip
Aw, shucks, my luck
I did not realize how much this could suck
I wish that I thought through everything first
'Cause the further you go through, the deeper the cuts
Aw, shucks, my luck
I′m feeling frisky when I see your butt
Got me on life support, feeling your lust
So where do we go now? I think I'm fucked
Yeah, I think I′m fucked
Yeah, I think I'm fucked
The song "Bad Luck" by boywithuke explores the complexities of a relationship that has gone wrong. The lyrics depict the deep emotions that the singer is going through after a breakup. The first verse talks about the overwhelming feeling of being left alone with no one to go to. The singer is fighting his own demons with medication; however, the memory of the lost love keeps haunting him. Despite wanting to look the other way towards a healthier future, his mind doesn't let him forget.
The second verse details the singer's longing for the lost love. The lyrics "You fill my head with ideas. Oh, baby, I can't stay away" show that even though the singer is aware of the toxicity of the relationship, he is unable to resist the temptation of rekindling it. The chorus talks about the bad luck that the singer feels that has led to the failed relationship. He expresses regret for not thinking things through and letting the situation escalate into something deep and painful.
The bridge of the song suggests that the singer is into the lost love and is looking forward to going on a trip together. However, the constraints of the situation mean that he is unable to voice his emotions. The song's last verses express the singer's helplessness and how he is aware of the circumstances but is still stuck in his heartbreak.
Overall, "Bad Luck" is an emotionally charged song that delves deep into the complexities of a relationship gone wrong.
Line by Line Meaning
I got 24 minutes to finish all of my sentences
I have a limited amount of time left to express myself fully and articulate my thoughts.
To be dependent to medicine while I saw you running away
While you were leaving, I was relying on medication to ease the emotional pain your departure caused me.
I said okay to myself
I made a decision to prioritize my health by letting go rather than holding on to something toxic.
It'd be better for health if I turn around and look the other way
It would be beneficial to my well-being to let go and move on from the situation.
But my brain is a silicone mimic of a dome
My thoughts and emotions are like an artificial imitation of a real experience.
And I say that I hate you, but I really don't
Despite my words, I still have deep feelings for you.
You fill my head with ideas
You inspire and excite me with your creativity and imagination.
Oh, baby, I can't stay away
Despite the pain, I am still drawn to you and cannot resist being near you.
Ooh, baby, you stole my heart with your jumper
I fell in love with the way you present yourself and your unique style.
Kangaroos wearing shoes tryna run from the hunters
You are like a kangaroo - unique and unparalleled, but also vulnerable to those who would harm you.
I don't know how you've been dealing with all of my shit
I am aware that my emotional baggage has been challenging and difficult to deal with.
I hope I get to stay here with you
I desire to remain close to you and hope that we can continue our relationship.
I'll take you on a trip
I want to experience new adventures with you and explore the world together.
Aw, shucks, my luck
I am frustrated and disappointed with my current situation.
I did not realize how much this could suck
I underestimated how difficult and painful this situation would be.
I wish that I thought through everything first
I regret not being more thoughtful and deliberate in my decisions and actions.
'Cause the further you go through, the deeper the cuts
The more invested and committed you are to something, the more painful it is to let it go.
I'm feeling frisky when I see your butt
Your physical appearance and presence still arouse me and make me feel excited.
Got me on life support, feeling your lust
I feel like I am holding on by a thread and am still driven by my physical attraction to you.
So where do we go now? I think I'm fucked
I am uncertain about the future of our relationship and feel overwhelmed by the emotional turmoil it causes me.
Yeah, look, I'm low-key into you
I am somewhat reserved in how I express my feelings for you, but I am deeply attracted to you.
Lately I can't help but think of taking you out
I have been considering romantic dates and quality time spent with you recently.
But there isn't anything I can do
Despite my desire, I am unable to act on my feelings due to external factors.
So I guess I'll just keep your name out my mouth
In order to avoid causing more emotional turmoil, I will try to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself.
I think I'm fucked
I am overwhelmed and uncertain about the future of our relationship.
Writer(s): Charley Yang
Contributed by Scarlett P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
w
on Migraine
my fav before i die
w
on King Of Nothing
w song
pooop
on Loafers
boywithuke is only god
pooop
on Toxic
Im drowning because I cant swim, time to eat chocolate and punch wood.
Thatoneuntalentedkid
on Toxic
bro route 9 is so good. i lnow all of boywithukes songs but i like loafers and route 9
Chase
on Haha, Hi
I luv it