The song was presumed to be the second single from the band’s debut album, but is marked as the debut single after the removal of their debut single “Trust Fund Baby.” The song has been the second longest wait between Why Don’t We releases (February 1 – June 7).
While on tour in Italy, the boys posted a video to Twitter and Instagram shortly after the song dropped.
In a behind-the-scenes video with AwesomenessTV, member Jonah Marais revealed the meaning behind the song:
"It’s about like, being “hooked” on whatever it may be in life. Maybe you’re hooked on a girl, maybe you’re hooked on a feeling of adventure. You can be hooked on so many different things and we wanted to capture that in a song."
Why Don’t We started teasing the song five days before its official release, posting a cartoon comic of each band member on their Instagram page depicting a few lines for whichever member the comic was for and comic-versions of scenes from the song’s then unreleased music video.
Here’s each comic:
Corbyn Besson, teased 1 June 2018
Jonah Marais, teased 2 June 2018
Zach Herron, teased 3 June 2018
Daniel Seavey, teased 4 June 2018
Jack Avery, teased 5 June 2018
The final post was posted to both Instagram and Twitter 8 hours before the release.
Hooked
why don't we Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You drive me mad with temptation 'cause it tastes so good
You know I wouldn't walk away, even if I could
It took one night, one try, ayy
Damn, I'm hooked
You were there when I was low, you held me high
And baby when you take control, we can go all night
But then you kiss my neck, and take a bite
Everybody says I'm sleeping with the enemy
I don't even care if you're gonna be the death of me, me, me
You got a bad reputation in my neighborhood
You drive me mad with temptation 'cause it tastes so good
You know I wouldn't walk away, even if I could
It took one night, one try, ayy
Damn, I'm hooked
Ooh, I'm hooked
Ooh, I'm hooked
I know that I shouldn't touch but you twist my heart
'Cause I can never get enough once the feeling starts
Baby, I'm the gasoline and your kiss is the spark
But you take the wheel and crash my car
Everybody says I'm sleeping with the enemy
I don't even care if you're gonna be the death of me, me, me
You've got a bad reputation in my neighborhood
You drive me mad with temptation 'cause it tastes so good
You know I wouldn't walk away, even if I could
It took one night, one try, ayy
Damn, I'm hooked
Ooh, I'm hooked
Ooh, I'm hooked
You got me under your influence
I swear I'm never gonna give you up, up, up, up, up, up, up
You got a bad reputation in my neighborhood
You drive me mad with temptation 'cause it tastes so good
You know I wouldn't walk away, even if I could
It took one night, one try, ayy
Damn, I'm hooked
Ooh, I'm hooked
Ooh, I'm hooked, oh
The lyrics of the song "Hooked" by Why Don't We paint a picture of a toxic relationship between two people. The first verse explains how the person's partner has a bad reputation in their neighborhood, but the temptation of being with them is too strong to resist. Despite knowing that they shouldn't be involved with this person, they feel like they are under their spell and are unable to walk away. The second verse reveals that the partner is the only one who can make them feel good, but every place they go, they start fights. The chorus repeats the main message of the song, that the singer is hooked on their partner despite their reputation and all the consequences that come with it.
The bridge acknowledges that this relationship is not healthy and should not continue, but the singer is unable to resist the temptation and feeling of being with their partner. They know that it will eventually lead to their demise but are willing to take the risk because they are under their partner's influence.
Overall, the song captures the feeling of being trapped in a relationship that is not good for you, but the temptation of being with that person is too strong to resist.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a bad reputation in my neighborhood
Your behavior is not accepted in my community.
You drive me mad with temptation 'cause it tastes so good
Your actions attract me even though I know they are wrong.
You know I wouldn't walk away, even if I could
I am too invested in this relationship to leave, even though I know it's not good for me.
It took one night, one try, ayy
Our connection was instant and powerful from the start.
Damn, I'm hooked
I am addicted to you and can't resist your allure.
You were there when I was low, you held me high
You supported me during my lowest moments and helped me rise back up.
And baby when you take control, we can go all night
When you take charge, the passion between us intensifies and we can't resist each other.
Every single place we go, you start a fight
You have a tendency to create conflict no matter where we go.
But then you kiss my neck, and take a bite
Your affection and intensity can distract me from our problems.
Everybody says I'm sleeping with the enemy
People around me believe that I am in a harmful relationship with you.
I don't even care if you're gonna be the death of me, me, me
I am willing to accept any consequences of being with you, even if it means my own downfall.
Ooh, I'm hooked
I am completely addicted to you.
I know that I shouldn't touch but you twist my heart
I am aware that this relationship is not healthy, but you emotionally manipulate me to stay with you.
'Cause I can never get enough once the feeling starts
Once we start engaging with each other, it's impossible for me to stop.
Baby, I'm the gasoline and your kiss is the spark
I am the one fueling this relationship, but your affection is the catalyst.
But you take the wheel and crash my car
You are in control of our relationship and it always ends in disaster.
You've got a bad reputation in my neighborhood
Your behavior is not accepted in my community.
You drive me mad with temptation 'cause it tastes so good
Your actions attract me even though I know they are wrong.
You know I wouldn't walk away, even if I could
I am too invested in this relationship to leave, even though I know it's not good for me.
It took one night, one try, ayy
Our connection was instant and powerful from the start.
Damn, I'm hooked
I am addicted to you and can't resist your allure.
You got me under your influence
You have complete control over me.
I swear I'm never gonna give you up, up, up, up, up, up, up
I promise to never leave you, no matter what.
Ooh, I'm hooked
I am completely addicted to you.
Ooh, I'm hooked, oh
I can't resist you and I am completely under your control.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jacob Oliver Manson, Philip Plested
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ellak5106
Everyone: has a girlfriend in the mv
Corbyn: has a robot
@Lenn.xoxo7
@Miah Williams what lol???
@kriti1614
LoL
@shudhucornplaysroblox5418
@@kriti1614 u r a very dedicated limelight 😅
I see u everywhere and everytime I come here
This is my alt account xD
@Sammy-yf2sb
@ShudhucornPlaysRoblox you do know you can change your account name and the picture lol
@yfmlam
fr id rather have a robot its cool
@palemoonlight96
Jack's vocals truly shone and stood out in this song! <3
@smilingangie3456
palemoonlight96 i agree
@whydontwefan4everwhydontwe480
They are mines
@lilianardolillo3953
palemoonlight96 ikr