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.
Understand
boywithuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanted to hold your hand, but I can't
Wanted to be your man back then
And you knew I fell for you
But you just broke my heart in two
I was sad, mad and broken on my bed
Hoping I get rid of all the voices in my head
When I was met with a prescription of a bullet made of lead
And when I woke up in an hour in a pool of my own sweat
I said, "I swear to God I'll never even try to sleep again"
So instead I took my pen and started writing evidence
And when I started making sense, I found that I had reached the end
Oh, I'm upset, I have no friends, you wanna bet, you're just pretend
You're just a pet confined within the lines of writing, you're not shit
I thought I stopped my psychopathic ways, I swear I did
I said I talked to people 'bout the problematic life I lived
They were my neighbors, razor blades and different flavored pills I hit
Therefore I'm at surely my last straw
I'm so gassed, stuck in the past, I said that
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand, but I can't
Wanted to be your man back then
And so far, I never held you with my arms
So it's hard to be the one you aren't with
Instead filled with anxiety, always was a part of me
Guess I'm not cut out to be
Somebody 'cause it's not me, I'm not used to all the talking
Was an introvert that had converted feelings into writing
Used to cope with all my problems using notes and lots of rhyming
Used to hope for better days whenever nights would have me crying
I'm not lying when I say that I would rather die than go back
To the times I would try and be the guy that people know as
Always fighting with the demons hiding far beyond my eyelids
On an island full of violence, in my head I had two pilots
Oh, the sun don't shine and skies turn gray
I feel it coursing through my veins
I've said before I'm not okay
But you don't listen anyway
You know I tried, you turned away
You straight-up lied right to my face
You fucked my life, ruined my day
But you don't know, so I'll say
Nothing can fill this silence
No one can love like I did (you don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's
Not fair, you still deny it (so I'll say)
Nothing can fill this silence
No one can love like I did (you don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's
Not fair, you still deny it (so I'll say)
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand, but I can't
Wanted to be your man back then
And too bad I know I can't wake up
Because I've lost my way and you don't give a fuck
'Bout me, this could be a dream
I can't see the things that you see, so please, oh
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand, but I can't
Wanted to be your man back then
And you had known and played along
You were my home, I wrote you songs
Now you're dead to me effectively
Removed yourself outside my dreams
The song "Understand" by boywithuke is an emotional expression of heartbreak and unfulfilled love. The songwriter regrets not succeeding in capturing the attention of the girl he was in love with. He talks about how he wanted to be with her, hold her hand, and be her man, but she broke his heart by being uninterested in him. The song also delves into the songwriter's struggle with mental health and his inner demons. The lyrics touch on his suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and reliance on writing as a coping mechanism.
The verses of the song alternate between the writer's longing to be with the girl and his internal struggles. He reveals his feelings of isolation and loneliness while dealing with his mental health issues. In the chorus, he discusses how he wishes the girl would understand his feelings and how he doesn't feel heard or seen by anyone.
Overall, "Understand" is a raw and vulnerable song about heartbreak, mental illness, and self-discovery. The songwriter exposes his pain and emotions in a relatable and authentic way that captures the feeling of unrequited love and the struggles of dealing with mental health issues.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, I hope you understand
I hope you comprehend my feelings
I wanted to hold your hand, but I can't
I desired physical contact with you, but it's unattainable
Wanted to be your man back then
I wanted to establish a romantic relationship with you in the past
And you knew I fell for you
You were aware of my love for you
But you just broke my heart in two
You shattered my heart into pieces
I was sad, mad and broken on my bed
I was sad, angry and emotionally hurt lying on my bed
Hoping I get rid of all the voices in my head
Desiring to silence the negativity inside my mind
I was opening a packet of an undeveloped med
I was about to take medication that I had not tried before
When I was met with a prescription of a bullet made of lead
Instead of medication, I found a suicidal thought
And when I woke up in an hour in a pool of my own sweat
I woke up an hour later soaked in sweat
I said, "I swear to God I'll never even try to sleep again"
I made a vow to never attempt to sleep again
So instead I took my pen and started writing evidence
As an alternative, I began writing to document my experience
And when I started making sense, I found that I had reached the end
As my writing became coherent, I realized I had found closure
Oh, I'm upset, I have no friends, you wanna bet, you're just pretend
I am angry and have no true friends, and you are just pretending to be one
You're just a pet confined within the lines of writing, you're not shit
You are just a fictitious entity in my writings and are insignificant
I thought I stopped my psychopathic ways, I swear I did
I believed I had ceased my dangerous behavior
I said I talked to people 'bout the problematic life I lived
I disclosed my difficulties to others
They were my neighbors, razor blades and different flavored pills I hit
My confidants included self-harm methods and drug use
Therefore I'm at surely my last straw
I have reached my final breaking point
I'm so gassed, stuck in the past, I said that
I am exhausted and fixated on past events
And so far, I never held you with my arms
I have never had the opportunity to embrace you physically
So it's hard to be the one you aren't with
It is difficult not being with you as I wish I could
Instead filled with anxiety, always was a part of me
I am consumed with anxiety, it's a constant within me
Guess I'm not cut out to be somebody 'cause it's not me
I suppose I am not meant to be anyone other than myself
Was an introvert that had converted feelings into writing
I am an introverted person and express my emotions through writing
Used to cope with all my problems using notes and lots of rhyming
I have historically utilized writing, including rhyming, to cope with my issues
Used to hope for better days whenever nights would have me crying
During moments of intense emotion, I used to wish for better times
I'm not lying when I say that I would rather die than go back
I am not being dishonest when I say I would prefer death over returning to a specific time in the past
To the times I would try and be the guy that people know as
I refer to when I attempted to present myself as someone else
Always fighting with the demons hiding far beyond my eyelids
I have constantly struggled with inner demons
On an island full of violence, in my head I had two pilots
My mind was a battlefield, and two opposing forces were vying for control
Oh, the sun don't shine and skies turn gray
The world appears bleak to me
I feel it coursing through my veins
An intense feeling is consuming me
I've said before I'm not okay
I have admitted I am not doing well previously
But you don't listen anyway
Despite my disclosure, you have ignored my feelings
You know I tried, you turned away
I made an effort, yet you dismissed me
You straight-up lied right to my face
You were dishonest with me, directly in front of me
You fucked my life, ruined my day
Your actions negatively impacted my life
But you don't know, so I'll say
You are unaware of the extent of the harm you have caused me
Nothing can fill this silence
There is a void of silence that cannot be filled
No one can love like I did (you don't know, so I'll say)
My love for you was unique and irreplaceable (you are unaware of this fact, so I will tell you)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's
No one cares about me, you were dishonest, it is
Not fair, you still deny it (so I'll say)
It is unjust, and you continue to be dishonest (I will speak out)
Too bad I know I can't wake up
Regrettably, I am aware that it is impossible for me to snap out of this state
Because I've lost my way and you don't give a fuck
Because I am lost, and you do not care at all
'Bout me, this could be a dream
You have no concern for me; this reality could be a mere illusion
I can't see the things that you see, so please, oh
I am incapable of perceiving things from your perspective, so please try to understand
And you had known and played along
You were aware of and went along with my affections
You were my home, I wrote you songs
I saw comfort and refuge in you, and I wrote songs for you
Now you're dead to me effectively
You are figuratively dead to me; you have no significance anymore
Removed yourself outside my dreams
You have faded away from my subconscious, and I no longer dream of you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charley Yang
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anonymouslysynonymous6003
Lyrics
[Chorus]
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And you knew I fell for you but you
Just broke my heart in two
I was sad, mad, and broken on my bed
Hoping I get rid of all the voices in my head
[Verse 1]
I was opening a packet of an undeveloped med
When I was met with a prescription of a bullet made of lead
And when I woke up in an hour in a pool of my own sweat
I said, "I swear to God I'll never even try to sleep again"
So instead I took my pen and started writing evidence
And whеn I started making sense
I found that I had rеached the end
Oh, I'm upset, I have no friends
You wanna bet you're just pretend?
You're just a pet confined within the lines of writing
You're not shit
I thought I stopped my psychopathic ways, I swear I did
I said I talked to people 'bout the problematic life I lived
They were my neighbors, razor blades
And different flavored pills I hate
Therefore I'm not sure, leave my last straw
I'm so glad, stuck in the past, I said that
[Chorus]
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And so far I never held you with my arms
So it's hard to be the one you aren't
With instead filled with anxiety
Always was a part of me, guess I'm not cut out to be
[Verse 2]
Somebody 'cause it's not me
I'm not used to all the talk, it was an introvert
That had converted feelings into writing
Used to cope with all my problems
Using notes and lots of rhyming
Used to hope for better days whenever nights would have me crying
I'm not lying when I say that I would rather daily go back
To the times I would try be the guy the people know
I was fighting with the demons hiding far beyond my eyelids
On an island full of violence in my head that I could pilot
Oh, the sun don't shine, the skies turn gray
I felt it coursing through my veins
I said before I'm not okay
But you don't listen anyway
You know I tried, you turned away
You straight up lied right to my face
You fucked my life, ruined my day
But you don't know, so I'll say
[Refrain]
Nothing can fill this silence, no one can love like I did
(You don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's no fair, you still deny it
(So I'll say)
Nothing can fill this silence, no one can love like I did
(You don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's no fair, you still deny it
(So I'll say)
[Chorus]
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And too bad I know I can't wake up
Because I lost my weight and you don't give a fuck
About me, this could be a dream, I can't see
The things that you see, so please, oh
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And you know I'll play along
You were my home, I wrote you songs
And now you're dead to me effectively
Removed yourself outside my dreams
@ngotankiet259
🎤Lyrics🎤
Girl I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't
Wanted to be your man
Back then
And you knew I fell for you
But you just broke my heart in two
I was sad
Mad and broken on my bed
Hoping I get rid of all the voices in my head
I was opening a packet of an undeveloped med
When I was met with a prescription of a bullet made of lead
And when I woke in an hour in a pool of my own sweat
I said I swear to God I'll never even try to sleep again
So instead I took my pen and started writing evidence
And when I started making sense I found that I had reached the end
Oh I'm upset, I have no friends, you wanna bet?
You're just pretend!
You're just a pet confined within the lines of writing
You're not shit
I thought I stopped my psychopathic ways, I swear I did
I said I'd talk to people bout the problematic life I lived
They were my neighbors; razor blades and different flavored pills I hit
Therefore I'm at
Surely my last
Straw, I'm so gassed
Stuck in the past
I said that
Girl I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't
Wanted to be your man
Back then
And so far
I never held you with my arms
So it's hard to be the one you aren't
With instead
Filled with anxiety
Always was a part of me
Guess I'm not cut out to be
Somebody cause it's not me. I'm not used to all the talking
Was an introvert that had converted feelings into writing
Used to cope with all my problems using notes and lots of rhyming
Used to hope for better days whenever nights would have me crying
I'm not lying when I say that I would rather die than go back
To the times I would try and be the guy that people know as always
Fighting with the demons hiding far behind my eyelids
On an island full of violence, in my head I had two pilots
Oh the sun don't shine, and skies turn grey
I feel it coursing through my veins
I've said before I'm not ok
But you don't listen anyway
You know I tried, you turned away
You straight lied right to my face
You fucked my life, ruined my day
But you don't know so I'll say
Nothing can fill this silence
No one can love I did
Nobody cares you lied it's
Not fair. You still deny it
(You don't know so I'll say)
Girl I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't
Wanted to be your man
Back then
And too bad I know I can't wake up
Because I've lost my way and you don't give a fuck about me
This could be a dream
I can't see the things that you see so please oh
Girl I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't
Wanted to be your man
Back then
And you had known
And played along
You were my home, I wrote you songs
Now you're dead to me
Effectively removed yourself
Outside my dream
=)))
@Jojo-ob9gu
Lyrics:
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And you knew I fell for you but you
Just broke my heart in two
I was sad, mad and broken on my bed
Hoping I get rid of all the voices in my head
I was opening a packet of an undeveloped med
When I was met with a prescription of a bullet made of lead
And when I woke up in an hour in a pool of my own sweat
I said , "I swear to God I'll never even try to sleep again"
So instead I took my pen and started writing evidence
And when I started making sense
I found that I had reached the end
Oh, I'm upset, I have no friends
You wanna bet you're just pretend?
You're just a pet confined within the lines of writing
You're not shit
I thought I stopped my psychopathic ways, I swear I did
I said I talked to people 'bout the problematic life I lived
They were my neighbors,
razor blades
And different flavored pills I hate
Therefore I'm not sure, leave my last straw
I'm so glad, stuck in the past, I said that
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And so far I never held you with my arms
So it's hard to be the one you want
With instead filled with anxiety
Always was a part of me, guess I'm not cut out to be
Somebody 'cause it's not me
I'm not used to all the talk, was an introvert
That had converted feelings in the writing
Used to cope with all my problems
Using notes and lots of rhyming
Used to hope for better days whenever
That's 'bout make me crying
I'm not lying when I say that I would rather die than go back
To the times I would try be the guy the people know
I was fighting with the demons hiding far beyond my eyelids
On an island full of violence in my head that I could pilot
Oh, the sun don't shine, the skies turn gray
I feel it coursing through my veins
I said before I'm not okay
But you don't listen anyway
You know I tried, you turned away
Straight up lied right to my face
You fucked my life, ruined my day
But you don't know, so I'll say
Nothing can fill this silence, no one can love like I did
(oh you don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's no fair, you still deny it
(So I'll say)
Nothing can fill this silence, no one can love like I did
(And you don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's no fair, you still deny it
(So I'll say)
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And too bad I know I can't wake up
Because I lost my way and you don't give a fuck
About me, this could be a dream, I can't see
The things that you see, so please, oh
Girl, I hope you understand
I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
And you know I played along
You were my home, I wrote you songs
And now you're dead to me
effectively
Removed yourself outside my dream
@ashstarling9225
Mum says it's my turn to do the lyrics:
Girl, I hope you understand, I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
[Post-Chorus]
And you knew I fell for you, but you just broke my heart in two
I was sad, mad, and broken on my bed
Hoping I get rid of all the voices in my head
[Verse 1]
I was opening a packet of an undeveloped med
When I was met with a prescription of a bullet made of lead
And when I woke up in an hour in a pool of my own sweat
I said, "I swear to God I'll never even try to sleep again"
So instead, I took my pen and started writing evidence
And when I started making sense, I found that I had reached the end
Oh, I'm upset, I have no friends, you wanna bet, you're just pretend?
You're just a pet confined within the lines of writing, you're not shit
I thought I stopped my psychopathic ways, I swear I did
I said I'd talk to people 'bout the problematic life I lived
They were my neighbors; razor blades
And different flavored pills I hit
Therefore, I'm at surely my last strawI'm so gassed, stuck in the past, I said that
[Chorus]
Girl, I hope you understand, I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
[Post-Chorus]
And so far I never held you with my arms
So it's hard to be the one you aren't
With instead filled with anxiety
Always was a part of me, guess I'm not cut out to be
[Verse 2]
Somebody 'cause it's not me, I'm not used to all the talking
Was an introvert that had converted feelings into writing
Used to cope with all my problems using notes and lots of rhyming
Used to hope for better days whenever nights would have me crying
I'm not lying when I say that I would rather die than go back
To the times I would try and be the guy the people know
As always fighting with the demons hiding far behind my eyelids
On an island full of violence, in my head I had two pilots
Oh, the sun don't shine and skies turn grey
I feel it coursing through my veins
I've said before I'm not okay
But you don't listen anyway
You know I tried, you turned away
You straight-up lied right to my face
You fucked my life, ruined my day
But you don't know, so I'll say
[Bridge]
Nothing can fill this silence, no one can love like I did
(You don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's not fair, you still deny it
(So I'll say)
Nothing can fill this silence, no one can love like I did
(You don't know, so I'll say)
Nobody cares, you lied, it's not fair, you still deny it
(So I'll say)
[Chorus]
Girl, I hope you understand, I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
[Post-Chorus]
And too bad I know I can't wake up because I lost my way
And you don't give a fuck about me, this could be a dream
I can't see the things that you see, so please, oh
[Chorus]
Girl, I hope you understand, I wanted to hold your hand
But I can't, wanted to be your man back then
[Post-Chorus]
And you had known and played along
You were my home, I wrote you songsNow you're dead to me, effectively
Removed yourself outside my dreams
@In-Dev
I'm leaving this comment here so after a month or a year when someone likes it, I get reminded of this song ❤
@ruquang89
posted 1 month ago, heres your reminder
@Bernie5891
Hello remember this song
@Elmo-The1andonly
3 months
@giorgiobenway344
@@Bernie5891p
@blackahhniqqa
Aye. come back bro
@boywithukeofficial
I am somewhere in this video without a mask, and it’s not where you would expect it…
@frizzy8845
Damn well now i gotta be suspecting everybody then
@powerstorm4478
55 minutes and only 5 likes and 1 comment lol, how
@goldenopposite2598
Well now I have to watch it over and over… I was gonna anyway but now it’s more enjoyable