The Lumineers – Ho Hey

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  General Comment:This song is beautiful, but sad. He is talking about how him and his ex do not belong together. He has found joy through his family -
  
  "So show me family" - and they have helped him understand this truth.
  He has also laced the song with words slandering his ex-
  
  "HO, HEY" - releasing his anger and pain by calling her a "ho" and saying "hey", instead of a more polite greeting such as, "hello" or "hi" and instead of using terms of endearment like "dear" or "love" he insists on calling her a "ho".
  
  Very enlightening song. I can relate.

  Flag acevesamon May 15, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:This song makes me sad when I hear it it makes me think of my ex girlfriend who I love still I am still trying to get her back I love her so munch.
  
  And I do love this song

  Flagged Thunder64on April 15, 2013   Link

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  Song Meaning:The Lumineers chatting on Australian radio station triple j say this is not actually a romantically inspired song but rather about the move the singer made from New York to Denver, Colorado, with the hope of musical success: "it's just about a broke guy in his apartment, sad about losing his dream". (presumably before he moved to Denver and became super successful!)
  
  Listen to about 2:20-3:30 of the link below (the quote is at 3:20).
  
  Link:
  abc.net.au/triplej/media/…

  Flagged polly77on April 14, 2013   Link

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  My Interpretation:I hear, a song about a bloke in a loveless marrage who has fallen in love with someone else and he is weighing up the consequences of pursuing the new relationship.
  
  the opening stanza I find sad. he talks of trying to do the right thing but it not being enough to make his relationship work:
  I been trying to do it right
  (Hey) I been living a lonely life
  (Ho) I been sleepin' here instead
  (Hey) I been sleepin' in my bed
  (Ho) I been sleepin' in my bed (Hey ho)
  
  the next stanza shows that he is considering the impact that his actions will have on himself and others but in particular his family
  So show me family
  (Hey) All the blood that I will bleed
  (Ho) I don't know where I belong
  (Hey) I don't know where I went wrong
  (Ho) But I can write a song (Hey)
  
  The next section show hope with a new relationship
  I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart
  I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweet' (Ho)
  
  
  Read more at songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107859427304/
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Flagged Harro2968on April 01, 2013   Link

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  My Opinion:I believe that this song is almost a Romeo and Juliet story. The guy is sad because the girl's parents do not approve of them, but deep down they know they were meant to be together.

  Flagged hola12345on March 27, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:this song was about a women who left the man who didn't value her and he realizes that there is no one else for him but her but it is too late because she moved on.

  Flagged candiceelon March 08, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:It's definitely about unrequited love, he's trying to get his sweetheart back by writing a song. I love to listen to this song, it's so upbeat and nice to listen to.

  Flagged RosesAndRuffleson February 23, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:Yes, this song is about unrequited love. I think it is more believable that the guy had to dump the girl a long while ago, but he still cares and has feelings for her. He had to do the 'right thing' and stay in his current situation. Yet he still wants her to know she is his love. There was desire on both sides (Cause oh, we're bleedin' out) It was a rejection of a romantic relationship out of his duty and vows to his wife, but he does not want her to go through life thinking he never loved her or never cared. Maybe he doesn't know where he belongs because he wants happiness and love for everyone, but it is physically impossible. He can't have two women. So he can at least write this song for the one he cannot satisfy!

  Flagged Bognettaon February 16, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:"(Ho) So show me family
  (Hey) All the blood that I will bleed"
  Still don't get it !

  Flagged Yazardshiron February 02, 2013   Link

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    it means that through hard times we become family and closer. Blood is thicker than water. family is closer than friends.

    Flag candiceelon March 08, 2013  
• +2
  My Interpretation:This song is about a husband who was unfaithful and now wants a second chance with his sweetheart and with his daughter.
  
  "(Ho!) I've been trying to do it right
  (Hey!) I've been living a lonely life
  (Ho!) I've been sleeping here instead
  (Hey!) I've been sleeping in my bed,
  (Ho!) sleeping in my bed"
  
  The first verse explains how he has been trying to shape up and be the type of man who resists temptation and remains faithful to his wife. He's been "sleeping here instead" implies that he is now sleeping in his bed instead of in the woman's bed that he had the affair with, or in hotel beds with one night stands. The repetition of "I've been sleeping in my bed" also suggests along with the later mention of Manhattan, that he is spending more time at home (instead of on tour). He is willing to remain grounded, and to remain faithful, if he can get another chance with his sweetheart.
  
  
  "(Ho!) So show me family
  (Hey!) All the blood that I would bleed
  (Ho!) I don't know where I belong
  (Hey!) I don't know where I went wrong
  (Ho!) But I can write a song"
  
  He wants to be shown the type of forgiveness a family would give, and to be given a chance to do things right. A family sees you at your worse, but they are also quicker to forgive your indiscretions and are the ones who love you unconditionally. He is asking for that kind of understanding from the woman he cheated on. "All the blood that I would bleed" along with the repetition of "Hey" "Ho!" and the powerful driving rhythm suggests that he is willing to work extremely hard to fix things, and that he would give anything for that chance. He's lost without his sweetheart, and doesn't understand why he did what he did, but he knows that through his music he can express his feelings.
  
  "(Ho!) I don't think you're right for him
  (Hey!) Look at what it might have been if you
  (Ho!) Took a bus to China Town
  (Hey!) I'd be standing on Canal
  (Ho!) And Bowery
  (Ho!) And she'd be standing next to me"
  
  This is the verse that makes me feel like he has a daughter, the "she" in the last line. He says that he doesn't think his sweetheart is right for the man she is with now, perhaps because she could only be right for him. And then asks her to imagine how things could have been if she had taken a bus to Canal and Bowery in Manhattan to see him standing beside his daughter. The intersection is by the Manhattan bridge, suggesting transition. Maybe he meant that he would be standing waiting to transition into a new life where he would be there for his sweetheart and for his daughter.
  
  The song ends with the chorus, and with the hope that the love they desperately need to save their relationship is found. Because he feels as though he is bleeding out living this lonely life apart from his family.

  Flagged sofia182on January 24, 2013   Link

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    I created an account on this site just to tell you how fucking awesome you're interpretation of the song is. I had a similar thought when listening to this song but I couldn't even come close to articulating all of what you said. Very well well done.

    Flagged oarfan1on January 26, 2013  

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    Upvote because I think you've nailed it. Nicely done, IMO.

    Flagged uffyon February 24, 2013  

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