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.
I Wish
boywithuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I only see you in the hall
I wish I could hold your hand
And pull you close
But we don′t even talk at all
At all
At all
At all
I don't wanna be that guy
I′m kind of shy
I mean, I don't, feel like just saying hi
And I don't wanna be alone
I just wanna be at home
Next to you
With my tunes
I wish I could call you Baby
But I don′t think it′s happening now
Feeling like a lost cause since the beginning
And it just don't want to be found
I don′t wanna try to hard to be different
And I don't want to be too loud
Oh Baby, I will make a sound
I wonder if we′ll ever meet
I hope I see you again
I hope your health is so I get to see you laugh with your friends
Ever since my favorite letters have been y r u a q t
TV documentaries could make a series talking 'bout your beauty
I think of Paris when I′m thinking of our future it's true
I know it's weird ′cause you don′t know me and I still don't know you
In my dreams we′re having birthday parties, presence I love
But I wish I could have you IRL but I'm not enough
I wish I could call you Baby
But I don′t think it's happening now
Feeling like a lost cause since the beginning
And it just don′t want to be found
I don't wanna try to hard to be different
And I don't want to be too loud
Oh Baby, I will make a sound
I wish I could call you Baby
But I don′t think it′s happening now
Feeling like a lost cause since the beginning
And it just don't want to be found
I don′t wanna try to hard to be different
And I don't want to be too loud
Oh Baby, I will make a sound
The song "I Wish" by boywithuke is a poignant and heartfelt expression of a young person's yearning for love and connection. The lyrics convey the singer's desire to be close to someone they admire, but also their fear of rejection and awkwardness. The first verse expresses the longing to be closer to the object of their affection, but also the frustration of never having the opportunity to talk. The singer wishes they could hold hands and be close, but it seems like a distant possibility. The second verse reveals the singer's shyness and reluctance to make a move, and their desire to just be with the person in a comfortable, familiar setting. The chorus repeats the title phrase "I wish I could call you Baby" and reinforces the idea that the singer feels a deep sense of yearning and longing for love, but also recognizes the reality that it may not be reciprocated. The final verse introduces a hint of optimism, with the singer hoping that they will someday meet the person again and have a chance to build a relationship, but also acknowledging the uncertainty and distance that separates them. Overall, the song is a tender and empathetic portrayal of the emotional complexity of young love and the difficulties of navigating romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I was in your class
I want to be in the same class as you so that I can see you more often
I only see you in the hall
I rarely see you, and it's usually only in the hallway
I wish I could hold your hand
I want to be close to you and have physical contact
And pull you close
I want to be physically close to you
But we don't even talk at all
We don't have any kind of relationship or communication
I don't wanna be that guy
I don't want to be the stereotypical guy who is constantly pursuing someone
I'm kind of shy
I am introverted and find it hard to initiate conversation
I mean, I don't, feel like just saying hi
I don't want to come across as too casual or awkward
And I don't wanna be alone
I don't want to be without you
I just wanna be at home
I want to be in a comfortable space, where I feel safe
Next to you
I want to be physically close to you
With my tunes
I want to share my music with you and have it be a bonding experience
I wish I could call you Baby
I wish I could address you affectionately
But I don't think it's happening now
I don't think our relationship will progress to that level
Feeling like a lost cause since the beginning
I have felt like our relationship was unlikely from the start
And it just don't want to be found
Despite my efforts, our relationship doesn't seem to be progressing
I don't wanna try to hard to be different
I don't want to be fake in order to impress you
And I don't want to be too loud
I don't want to come across as obnoxious or attention-seeking
Oh Baby, I will make a sound
I will make an effort to be noticed and make a lasting impression
I wonder if we'll ever meet
I am unsure if we will ever cross paths
I hope I see you again
I wish to see you again in the future
I hope your health is so I get to see you laugh with your friends
I hope that you are happy and healthy and that I can witness your joy
Ever since my favorite letters have been y r u a q t
I have been thinking about you, and thinking about why we haven't connected
TV documentaries could make a series talking 'bout your beauty
Your beauty is so notable and captivating that there could be documentaries made about it
I think of Paris when I'm thinking of our future it's true
I think of a romantic and idealized future with you that involves travel and adventure
I know it's weird 'cause you don't know me and I still don't know you
I am aware that it is strange to have these feelings when we have no real relationship
In my dreams we're having birthday parties, presence I love
In my idealized version of our relationship, we celebrate together and share joy and laughter
But I wish I could have you IRL but I'm not enough
I wish I could have a real relationship with you, but I feel like I am not good enough for you
Writer(s): Boywithuke
Contributed by Alex D. 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