Joe

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone grappling with a past relationship, specifically a person named Joe. The narrator starts by recalling a time when they believed in something grand, like God, but then pivots to a more grounded, almost petty, grievance: being laughed at for their last name. This sets up a core tension: the desire to prove oneself superior to someone who once belittled them, while simultaneously revealing how deeply that past slight still stings. The central conflict seems to be the narrator's ongoing need for Joe's validation, despite outward declarations of indifference. The repeated phrase "I don't ever think of you" is undercut by the persistent questioning, "Joe, do you think I'm cool?" This internal contradiction highlights a deep-seated insecurity, where the narrator's current successes—playing shows in Belarus, having friends up the coast, writing songs—are all measured against Joe's potential opinion. A striking piece of craft is the juxtaposition of grand aspirations with mundane insecurities. The narrator claims to have "a lotta new friends" and be "so outta here," yet they admit to still using Joe's old jokes and being unable to "take this backpack off," which "comes with me where I go." This backpack, a tangible symbol of their past or perhaps their insecurities, suggests that despite outward progress, the narrator remains tethered to the person they're trying so hard to impress or forget. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw portrayal of a common, yet often unspoken, dynamic: the lingering need for approval from someone who once dismissed us. The narrator's attempts to project confidence and independence are constantly undermined by their desperate, almost childlike, pleas for Joe's acknowledgment, making the desire for validation feel both relatable and poignant.