In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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
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
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
I completely agree with you. You can take painkillers, you can take anti-nausea medication, but they only treat the symptoms of the problem. Once they wear off, you're right back to square one.
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."
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.
Dear Amy
Love, Kelly
She's referring to Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway.
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
this song is about the record company telling her to go to rehab for ten weeks right?
anyway, i love it its awesome
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
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.
"so i always keep a bottle near"... lmao