High by 5 Seconds of Summer Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Emotional Labyrinth

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for 5 Seconds of Summer's High at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I hope you think of me high
I hope you think of me highly
When you’re with someone else
I know your friends all lie
I know your friends don’t like me
They want you for themselves

Today I called to tell you that I’m changin’
But I don’t think you have enough respect to see me try
I’ve been wakin’ up in different spaces
And I think that my heart is built to last more than a night

I need to stop lettin’ me down, down, down, down, down
I need to stop lettin’ me down, down, down, down, down

I hope you think of me high
I hope you think of me highly
When you’re with someone else
I know your friends all lie
I know your friends don’t like me
They want you for themselves

I know I’ll never meet your expectations
But the picture that you paint of me looks better in your mind
Now every step, I take with hesitation
And I always miss the memories of the mornings we were high

I need to stop lettin’ me down, down, down, down, down
I need to stop lettin’ me down, down, down, down, down

I hope you think of me high
I hope you think of me highly
When you’re with someone else
I know your friends all lie
I know your friends don’t like me
They want you for themselves

Da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da
Da-da-da, ooh
When you’re with someone else
Da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da
Da-da-da, ooh
They want you for themselves

I hope you think of me high
I hope you think of me highly
When you’re with someone else

5 Seconds of Summer, often affectionately known as 5SOS by their fans, has a knack for delivering powerfully emotive songs that capture the intricacies and tumultuous nature of young love and self-growth. Their track ‘High’ is no exception, with its poignant lyrics and haunting melody that lingers long after the song has ended.

Yet, beneath the surface of this seemingly straightforward lament of lost love, ‘High’ offers a layered exploration of personal evolution and the yearning for recognition from those we hold dear. Here, we dive into the different elements that make ‘High’ a rich canvas of vulnerability and introspection.

Unveiling the Quest for Self-Acceptance in A Heartbreak Anthem

‘I need to stop lettin’ me down,’ echoes as a mantra throughout ‘High,’ epitomizing the song’s core message: the struggle for self-acceptance. In a society where we’re often taught to seek validation from others, ‘High’ serves as a reminder of the importance of self-validation, especially in the wake of a breakup.

The confession laid bare in the lyrics is less about the loss of a partner and more about confronting one’s own shortcomings. It’s a narrative of personal change, of growing out of old patterns that don’t serve us. This dimension adds a subtle complexity that resonates with anyone going through a period of self-redemption post-relationship.

The Haunting Echo of Lost Love and Friendship Betrayal

‘I know your friends all lie, I know your friends don’t like me,’ taps into the bitter reality of social dynamics often entangled with romantic relationships. It’s more than just a breakup between two people; it’s an acknowledgment of the collective influences that may dictate the outcome of a relationship.

It’s in these lines that ‘High’ touches upon the helplessness one feels when their image is tarnished, not by actions, but by the words of others – an issue painfully relevant in the age of social media, where reputation is often at the mercy of the crowd.

Navigating the Painful Road from Intimate Moments to Distant Memories

Nostalgia is a cruel mistress, and ‘High’ wields it masterfully with ‘And I always miss the memories of the mornings we were high.’ It’s a visceral evocation of the intimacy and elation once shared, now drifting away like smoke.

The portrayal of this intimate withdrawal captures the essence of moving on, not only from the person but from the very moments that defined the relationship. It’s about letting go of that former self that was last complete in another’s presence.

The Song’s Hidden Meaning: The Internal Battle for Recognition and Worth

What further enriches ‘High’ is the subtext of desiring validation (‘I hope you think of me highly’) from the very person who may not have fully appreciated one’s efforts (‘But I don’t think you have enough respect to see me try’). This internal battle is a fundamental part of the human experience, and 5SOS captures it with aching accuracy.

This urgency for acknowledgment echoes throughout the song, revealing deep-seated insecurities intertwined with the protagonist’s self-improvement journey. It’s in this yearning for recognition that ‘High’ weaves a hidden narrative about self-worth and the need to be seen not just for what one was, but what one aspires to become.

The Melancholic And Memorable Lines Etched into The Listener’s Psyche

‘Today I called to tell you that I’m changing.’ It is perhaps one of the most heart-rending lines in ‘High,’ encapsulating the essence of hope against the backdrop of reality. It is about personal evolution, a declaration of change made all the more poignant because it’s addressed to someone who may no longer care.

Combined with a haunting melody, this line, like many others in the song, has the capacity to etch itself into the listener’s psyche. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of music in expressing the complex tapestry of human emotion and the timeless struggle to become better, even when no one’s watching.