They tried to make me go to rehab
But I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black
But when I come back, you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab
I won't go, go, go

I'd rather be at home with Ray
I ain't got seventy days
'Cause there's nothing, there's nothing you can teach me
That I can't learn from Mr. Hathaway

I didn't get a lot in class
But I know it don't come in a shot glass

They tried to make me go to rehab
But I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black
But when I come back, you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab
I won't go, go, go

The man said, "Why do you think you here?"
I said, "I got no idea"
I'm gonna, I'm gonna lose my baby
So I always keep a bottle near
He said, "I just think you're depressed"
This me, "Yeah, baby, and the rest"

They tried to make me go to rehab
But I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black
But when I come back, you'll know, know, know

I don't ever wanna drink again
I just, oh, I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
Have everyone think I'm on the mend

And it's not just my pride
It's just 'til these tears have dried

They tried to make me go to rehab
I said, "No, no, no"
Yes, I've been black
But when I come back, you'll know, know, know
I ain't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
He's tried to make me go to rehab
I won't go, go, go


Lyrics submitted by Underground0

Rehab Lyrics as written by Amy Winehouse

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Rehab song meanings
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69 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    The song's meaning is deliciously straight-forward: she isn't going to rehab because the problem isn't her drinking, it everything that drives her to drink. Going to rehab won't fix anything, and listening to soul records and drinking are her ways with coping with how she's screwed up. So in turn, going to rehab won't change anything: as long as she's messing up in this, that or the other, she'll still be drinking and listening to Ray Charles records; rehab is a waste of everyone's time, in her eyes.

    I don't see the song as an overall rejection of the institution of rehabilitation facilities, but rather a rejection of her being an alcoholic.

    KobayashiJTon April 21, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I mostly agree with you musicmax. I think she knows she is more than an occasional drinker, though, as she has said "The problem isn't exaggerated. I'm a terrible drunk." and (when asked how she injured her hand) "I probably walked around the block trying to get to the hotel and fell. I have no idea. I hate that. The blackouts. Happens too often."

    summerskinon February 26, 2007   Link
  • +3
    My Opinion

    I like how it's a song about her personal experiences.Songs are usually about love and relationships,but this one isn't which is a nice difference.

    Fairygirlon July 12, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Dear Amy

     I remember buying "Back to Black" and playing it everyday for weeks. I remember crying along to "Love Is a Losing Game." I remember getting into multiple shouting matches with my friends and family about your talent. You were a good person, and a GREAT artist, fuck what anyone else says. I sobbed for hours when I heard that you were gone. I have that sick, heart-heavy feeling, and it's killing me. I know I'm gonna be feeling it for a long time. But like you said, tears dry on their own. I hope yours have dried at last, and that you're at peace, still making beautiful music wherever you are. <3

    Love, Kelly

    Aquarius121on July 27, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    She's referring to Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway.

    Parachuteson April 04, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    IT REALLY HIT HOME WITH ME. I LOST MY BABIES BECAUSE I WOULDN'T GO TO REHAB. I ADMIT IT'S WRONG- BUT I HATE BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO.THE KIDS ARE DOING GREAT WITH THEIR AUNT, AND I STILL HAVEN'T GONE TO REHAB.NO-NO-NO

    uknowimabitchon August 14, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this song is about the record company telling her to go to rehab for ten weeks right?

    anyway, i love it its awesome

    **swimmer005**on June 29, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    yeah its about her label tellin her shes a drunk take your @ss to rehab! she said f u adn left!

    the ray she means is ray charles.....in relation to her he was a druggie 2 and they tried to get him help and stuff...and send him to rehab...(well u saw the movie)

    mr. hathaway......she means donnie hathaway the soul/jazz musician who suffered from severe depression....amy said she's clinically diagnosed depressed in an interview

    norehabnoon July 23, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    she's referring to Donny Hathaway, arranger, singer, and songwriter. Look up "A Song for You" on iTunes. and she says she doesn't have a drinking problem. personally, I think she could use a burger.

    smallchange54on July 25, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "so i always keep a bottle near"... lmao

    pimpuhateon October 28, 2008   Link

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