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.
Toxic
boywithuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So rude and always negative
I need new friends, but it's not that quick and easy
Oh, I'm drowning, let me breathe
I'm better off all by myself
Though I'm feelin' kinda empty without somebody else
Oh, I hear you cryin' out for help
But you never showed for me when I was ringin' your cell phone
Oh, you don't know how it feels to be alone
Baby, oh, I'll make you know, I'll make you know
(I'm drowning, let me breathe)
(I'm drowning, let me breathe)
(I'm drowning, let me breathe)
(I'm drowning, let me breathe)
But life is immaculate, backin' it up a bit
Countin' my hours and knockin' on wood
Avoidin' my opposites, chewin' on chocolate
Had a bit limited time, but I should
Be good for a minute, don't want to admit it
I'm runnin' on seconds, I'm rigid, I'm screwed
Don't know what to do, I'm thinkin' of you
I'm drinkin' up bottles and bottles of booze
I'm better off all by myself
Though I'm feelin' kinda empty without somebody else
Oh, I hear you cryin' out for help
But you never showed for me when I was ringin' your cell phone
Oh, you don't know how it feels to be alone
Baby, oh, I'll make you know, I'll make you know
I fell into your river, that's where you told me lies
You said that I'd feel better, but this is where good guys die
You took my pride away, but you cannot take my life
I'll find another way out, but now you're takin' my life
Don't you see how I
I'm better off all by myself
Though I'm feelin' kinda empty without somebody else
Oh, I hear you cryin' out for help
But you never showed for me when I was ringin' your cell phone
Oh, you don't know how it feels to be alone
Baby, oh, I'll make you know, I'll make you know, oh, oh
I'm better off all by myself
Though I'm feelin' kinda empty without somebody else
Oh, I hear you cryin' out for help
But you never showed for me when I was ringin' your cell phone
Oh, you don't know how it feels to be alone
Baby, oh, I'll make you know, I'll make you know
The song "Toxic" by BoyWithUke talks about the struggles of dealing with toxic friends and the need to distance oneself from them. The first few lines describe the singer's friends as "toxic" and "ambitionless," which is a clear indication that they are not good influences. The singer expresses how difficult it is to find new friends because it is not an easy process. The lyric "Oh, I'm drowning, let me breathe" emphasizes the struggle and the feeling of suffocation that comes from being around toxic people.
The second verse talks about the singer's individuality and how they feel better off alone. The line "I'm runnin' on seconds, I'm rigid, I'm screwed" suggests that the singer is very aware of the limited time they have and how they don't want to waste it on toxic people. The line "I'm drinkin' up bottles and bottles of booze" describes how the singer may be trying to cope with their loneliness and emptiness but it is not a healthy solution.
The chorus repeats the idea that the singer is "better off all by myself" but also acknowledges the feeling of emptiness that comes with that. The bridge talks about how the singer was misled by someone, who took away their pride, but cannot take their life. The final chorus repeats the message that the singer does not want to be alone but is willing to distance themselves from toxic friends.
Line by Line Meaning
All my friends are toxic, all ambitionless
My friends have negative attitudes and are not motivated to succeed
So rude and always negative
My friends are impolite and frequently find faults in everything
I need new friends, but it's not that quick and easy
I want to make new friends, but it is harder than expected
Oh, I'm drowning, let me breathe
I feel overwhelmed and need some space to relax
I'm better off all by myself
I find it more advantageous to be alone
Though I'm feelin' kinda empty without somebody else
Even though I feel somewhat alone without anyone around
Oh, I hear you cryin' out for help
I hear you when you ask me for assistance
But you never showed for me when I was ringin' your cell phone
But you didn't show up when I called for your help earlier
Oh, you don't know how it feels to be alone
You don't understand how lonely it can be without someone to fall back on
Baby, oh, I'll make you know, I'll make you know
But I will help you experience it if you're willing to learn
But life is immaculate, backin' it up a bit
I am in a great spot in life and taking a moment to appreciate it
Countin' my hours and knockin' on wood
I am cautious and hoping for things to continue going well
Avoidin' my opposites, chewin' on chocolate
I'm staying away from people who have opposing views, and I'm munching on some chocolate
Had a bit limited time, but I should
Even though I am on a tight schedule, I will manage.
Be good for a minute, don't want to admit it
I'll be fine for a short time, but I don't want to accept that
I'm runnin' on seconds, I'm rigid, I'm screwed
I am out of time, and everything seems to be falling apart
Don't know what to do, I'm thinkin' of you
I am having trouble deciding what to do and am considering your opinion
I'm drinkin' up bottles and bottles of booze
I am drinking too much alcohol to try and cope with my problems
I fell into your river, that's where you told me lies
I trusted you and believed your deceitful words
You said that I'd feel better but this is where good guys die
You told me that things would work out, but it only ended in disappointment
You took my pride away, but you cannot take my life
You hurt my self-esteem, but I am not letting you control me completely
I'll find another way out but now you're takin' my life
I will find a new path to follow, but it feels like you are holding me back
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charley Yang
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pooop
Im drowning because I cant swim, time to eat chocolate and punch wood.
Thatoneuntalentedkid
bro route 9 is so good. i lnow all of boywithukes songs but i like loafers and route 9
@boywithukeofficial
Try to find all the little Easter eggs and details :D
@j4thmine
holy ship it doesnt really matter but first
@Sceptnado
5 minutes damn
@rubyiiiusions
the two moons in the background are a nice touch as well as the lyrics on the little sheet in the corner, it just makes the video seem so much more immersive than just a lyric video :) great song overall, thanks for making cool music!
edit: yes I know it’s an Easter egg to his other songs lol I’m not uncultured
@leonardodelagarza7821
Duuuuuudeeeee!!!! Your music is awesome, I just discovered you today and I really loved all your songs, it’s incredible the so f**king good music you do, thank you very much for make such good music 🥴
@redbacon1582
hi
@Skyloluvsu
POV: you are here because this song is good not because of tiktok
@rivaldoanjy579
This song good