back n forth
back n forth
SONG BACKGROUND

Fireboy collaborates with the iconic Afrobeat artiste- Lagbaja on ‘back n forth’ after the latter’s long absence from the music scene. The song explores the complexities of love, vulnerability, and emotional expression. Fireboy expresses his affection and struggles with communicating his emotions fully. Lagbaja, known for his jazz-influenced Afrobeat style, enhances the song's rhythm and tone, adding layers of soulful instrumentation that complement Fireboy's introspective lyrics.

Lyrics
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<input type="checkbox" id=toggle1><label for=toggle1><span class="annotate-lyric"> Sometimes I know it<br/>Sometimes I don't know how to show it<br/>But somewhere at the back of your mind<br/>I hope that you know that I love every single moment with you<br/>Sometimes I say it<br/>But sometimes I don't know how to show it<br/>But somewhere at the back of your mind<br/>I hope that you know that I love every single moment with you <br/></span></label><div id=content1 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Fireboy admits that while he understands the depth of his feelings, he struggles with expressing them clearly. This sets the tone of vulnerability. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle2><label for=toggle2><span class="annotate-lyric"> We found love in Ojuelegba ('Legba)<br/>The kind love wey we go remember ('Member) <br/></span></label><div id=content2 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He reminisces about finding love in Ojuelegba, a famous neighborhood in Lagos, symbolizing the authenticity and significance of their bond. It is a love that they will never forget. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle3><label for=toggle3><span class="annotate-lyric"> Thе kind love wey you no fit end am (End am)<br/>Jẹjẹ makе you do me tender <br/></span></label><div id=content3 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Their love feels unbreakable, and he asks his lover to treat him tenderly. "Jeje" is Yoruba for "gently" or "slowly," reinforcing the request for carefulness in the relationship. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle4><label for=toggle4><span class="annotate-lyric"> Take me to Kenya, tell me nakupenda ('Penda) <br/></span></label><div id=content4 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> "Nakupenda" is Swahili for "I love you," indicating their deep connection </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle5><label for=toggle5><span class="annotate-lyric"> Close to my heart like a pendant (Pendant) <br/></span></label><div id=content5 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He likens how close his lover is to his heart to being as close as a pendant, suggesting a deep emotional attachment. A pendant typically hangs near the heart, symbolizing that this person holds a special place in his life. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle6><label for=toggle6><span class="annotate-lyric"> Baby mo gbe ẹ sori<br/>Mo ni mo gbe ẹ sori (Sori) <br/></span></label><div id=content6 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> In Yoruba, "mo gbe e sori" translates to "I put you on my head," which is a figurative way of expressing adoration and responsibility for someone. The repetition of "sori" emphasizes his willingness to prioritize her. He reaffirms that he holds his lover in high regard, possibly to assure her of his loyalty and devotion. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle7><label for=toggle7><span class="annotate-lyric"> You toxic, I like it like that <br/></span></label><div id=content7 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Fireboy recognizes that the relationship has elements of toxicity, yet he finds it thrilling or alluring. This shows his complex emotions about their relationship </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle8><label for=toggle8><span class="annotate-lyric"> If you call my line, I'm calling right back (Right back)<br/>Tell me what you wanna do tonight<br/>I'm free tonight, I wanna be with you tonight (Ah-ah) <br/></span></label><div id=content8 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He makes it clear that he is available and desires to be with her </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle9><label for=toggle9><span class="annotate-lyric"> And even when I dey doubt am <br/></span></label><div id=content9 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He confesses that there are moments of uncertainty, possibly about the relationship </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle10><label for=toggle10><span class="annotate-lyric"> Even when I am still in denial, oh <br/></span></label><div id=content10 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He denies it but he knows that he can’t flee from his feelings for her because he is torn between doubt and attraction </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle11><label for=toggle11><span class="annotate-lyric"> Na only you dey light up my fire, oh<br/>Na only you I desire oh, but sometimes <br/></span></label><div id=content11 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Fireboy says that she is the only one who can ignite his passion and excitement as she is the only one he truly wants regardless of the complications and doubts. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle12><label for=toggle12><span class="annotate-lyric"> Sometimes I don't know how to show it<br/>But somewhere at the back of your mind<br/>I hope that you know that I love every single moment with you<br/>Sometimes I say it (I say, I say)<br/>But sometimes I don't know how to show it (To show, to show)<br/>But somewhere at the back of your mind<br/>I hope that you know that I love every single moment with you <br/></span></label><div id=content12 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Fireboy admits that while he understands the depth of his feelings, he struggles with expressing them clearly. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle13><label for=toggle13><span class="annotate-lyric"> What else should I do to let you know, how I feel inside for you?<br/>Inside for you <br/></span></label><div id=content13 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Lagbaja begins his verse by begging his love interest to say what more he needs to do to convey the depth of his feelings </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle14><label for=toggle14><span class="annotate-lyric"> Can you feel the love? Inside, inside <br/></span></label><div id=content14 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He asks her if she can sense his affection, hinting at a need for validation and mutual understanding </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle15><label for=toggle15><span class="annotate-lyric"> Ka jọ ma back and forth and back and forth <br/></span></label><div id=content15 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> "Ka jo ma" is a Yoruba phrase meaning "let us," suggesting they continue the back-and-forth dynamic. This can be interpreted as the push and pull of their relationship, which he seems resigned to or even comfortable with. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle16><label for=toggle16><span class="annotate-lyric"> B-b-back, soole<br/>Back and forth, you and I <br/></span></label><div id=content16 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> ‘Soole’ literally means ‘drop’ in Yoruba. It also refers to a fast and cheap means of transportation. It is affordable and easy to get. Soole has a place in the history of commuting in Lagos, South-western Nigeria. Here, it suggests a willingness to continue moving in this back-and-forth dance of love. </div></div><br/> We could be, we could be so much more, yeah <input type="checkbox" id=toggle17><label for=toggle17><span class="annotate-lyric"> Se temi, ma se ti ẹ <br/></span></label><div id=content17 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> In Yoruba, this translates to "be mine and I will be yours." He wants her to stay with him. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle18><label for=toggle18><span class="annotate-lyric"> Make we dey go <br/></span></label><div id=content18 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> A Nigerian Pidgin phrase meaning "let's continue" or "let's keep going." He encourages them to keep moving forward together despite the complications. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle19><label for=toggle19><span class="annotate-lyric"> Back and forth and back and forth <br/></span></label><div id=content19 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> This phrase indicates the cyclical nature of their relationship, perhaps hinting at a sense of inevitability in their interactions. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle20><label for=toggle20><span class="annotate-lyric"> B-b-b-back, soole<br/>I wanna show you, I wanna show <br/></span></label><div id=content20 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> ‘Soole’ literally means ‘drop’ in Yoruba. It also refers to a fast and cheap means of transportation. It is affordable and easy to get. Soole has a place in the history of commuting in Lagos, South-western Nigeria. Here, it suggests a willingness to continue moving in this back-and-forth dance of love. </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle21><label for=toggle21><span class="annotate-lyric"> And even when I dey doubt am <br/></span></label><div id=content21 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He confesses that there are moments of uncertainty, possibly about the relationship </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle22><label for=toggle22><span class="annotate-lyric"> Even when I am still in denial, oh <br/></span></label><div id=content22 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> He denies it but he knows that he can’t flee from his feelings for her because he is torn between doubt and attraction </div></div><input type="checkbox" id=toggle23><label for=toggle23><span class="annotate-lyric"> Na only you dey light up my fire, oh<br/>Na only you I desire, oh <br/></span></label><div id=content23 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Fireboy says that she is the only one who can ignite his passion and excitement as she is the only one he truly wants regardless of the complications and doubts. </div></div><br/> But sometimes <br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle24><label for=toggle24><span class="annotate-lyric"> Sometimes I don't know how to show it (Show it, yeah, yeah)<br/>But somewhere at the back of your mind (Your mind)<br/>I hope that you know that I love every single moment with you<br/>Sometimes I say it (I say, I say)<br/>But sometimes I don't know how to show it (To show, to show)<br/>But somewhere at the back of your mind<br/>I hope that you know that I love every single moment with you <br/></span></label><div id=content24 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> Fireboy admits that while he understands the depth of his feelings, he struggles with expressing them clearly. </div></div><br/><input type="checkbox" id=toggle25><label for=toggle25><span class="annotate-lyric"> Back and forth and back and forth<br/>B-b-back, soole <br/></span></label><div id=content25 class="annotate-explain"><div class="annotate-text"> ‘Soole’ literally means ‘drop’ in Yoruba. It also refers to a fast and cheap means of transportation. It is affordable and easy to get. Soole has a place in the history of commuting in Lagos, South-western Nigeria. Here, it suggests a willingness to continue moving in this back-and-forth dance of love. </div></div>

Lyric Breakdown Video
Credits
Produced by
Eskeez, Bassiqally, IDCabasa, Nxrth, Lagbaja
Written by
Adedamola Adefolahan, Bisade Ologunde
Release date
August 28, 2024