Home » Song Meanings » The Meaning Behind The Song: Give It Back by Jake Webber
Last Updated on January 28, 2024 / By Carlos Irwin
Introduction
Music has a unique way of expressing emotions and connecting with listeners. Some songs capture our attention not only because of their catchy melodies but also because of the deep and relatable meanings in their lyrics. One such song is “Give It Back” by Jake Webber.
Table of Contents
The Lyrics
[Intro: Jake Webber & Joey Reed]
Why’d you do it dad?
(You just don’t understand me)
Just give it back
[Verse 1: Jake Webber]
Why’d you do it dad?
Why’d you take my PS2?
I just want it back, now I’m crying in my room
I’ll take out the trash (I’ll do it dad)
I have nothing to live for ’cause you took the console and the chords
[Verse 2: Corey Scherer]
Hey dad, remember me?
It’s your son, we used to have fun
What the heck dad
Look what you’ve done
Remember eating honey buns in the sun?
You took away Need For Speed
Now I’m gonna drink Speed and snort some weed
Don’t make me mad (Don’t do it dad)
Or I’m gonna be sad
[Chorus: Joey Reed & To$ha]
Why’d you take my PS2?
Now I’m crying in my room and who’s behind me
It’s my dad with my TV
You just don’t understand me (Dad, why’d have to take it away? Now I have to get on your ass)
(You just don’t understand me)
[Verse 3: To$ha]
Dad, why’d you take away my PS2?
Is it because I’m just like you?
I just wanted to play games with Drew
Stay up all night, drink Mountain Dew
My life is over, dad, now we’re through
My life is over
You don’t care about me
I guess I’ll play the Wii
[Chorus: Joey Reed]
Why’d you take my PS2?
Now I’m crying in my room and who’s behind me
It’s my dad with my TV
You just don’t understand me
You just don’t understand me
[Outro: Joey Reed]
You just don’t understand me
The Message
“Give It Back” expresses the frustration and disappointment that arises from feeling misunderstood and unappreciated by a parental figure. Jake Webber opens the song by questioning his father’s actions, particularly the confiscation of his PS2, a gaming console he cherished. The lyrics highlight the despair and hopelessness he feels, emphasizing his willingness to do anything (even take out the trash) just to have his console back.
The second verse, performed by Corey Scherer, further intensifies these emotions. He reminisces about the happy moments spent with his father, symbolized by the memory of eating honey buns under the sun. The sudden loss of the “Need For Speed” game and other restrictions imposed by his dad led him down a destructive path of substance abuse, indicating the negative impacts of feeling unheard and detached.
To$ha’s verse adds another perspective, exploring the potential similarity between father and child. By connecting their shared love for playing games, To$ha questions why his PS2 was taken away, wondering if it was because he resembles his dad. The lyrics depict a feeling of betrayal and the subsequent spiral into hopelessness.
The chorus, sung by Joey Reed and To$ha, emphasizes the pain of being unable to connect with their fathers. It portrays a sense of abandonment and frustration, symbolized by the presence of a father with a TV, which is a replacement for what was taken away. The song concludes with a poignant reassurance from Joey Reed that the father just doesn’t understand, leaving the listeners to confront the vast gap in understanding and acceptance.
Personal Connection
Listening to this song, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my own experiences and the struggles many young individuals face while trying to bridge the generation gap. It highlighted the importance of effective communication and empathy within parent-child relationships. The emotions portrayed in “Give It Back” are raw and relatable, making it a powerful anthem for those who have felt the sting of not being understood.
Jake Webber, Corey Scherer, Joey Reed, and To$ha collaborated on “Give It Back,” showcasing their talent in conveying complex emotions through music. Initially released on Jake Webber’s YouTube channel in April 2018, the song gained popularity and was later made available on official platforms like Spotify and Apple Music in April 2019.
Credits
Written By Joey Reed, Corey Scherer, & Jake Webber
Release Date: April 19, 2019
