Meaning of Ho Hey by The Lumineers & The Story Behind

For up-and-coming bands performing in small clubs, it is very difficult to attract the attention of the public. Visitors to such establishments come to relax, and they are little interested in the creative efforts of little-known performers singing something from the stage.

This forces musicians to look for effective ways to get the audience to listen to them. Sometimes efforts lead to the birth of compositions that, unexpectedly for everyone, become international hits.

The story of creation and the meaning of the song Ho Hey

Approximately this is how the story of the song Ho Hey by the American folk-rock band The Lumineers began. Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Frates wrote it while they were performing in New York taverns.

Here’s what Schultz had to say about Ho Hey:

This song was an attempt to impress people at the shows in Brooklyn, where they are all rather indifferent. And I decided if we diluted it with shouts, it would help to attract at least someone’s attention.

Schultz is said to have written a composition based on his own love experiences. He himself explained the meaning of the song Ho Hey like this:

In a way it’s about a lost love, but it’s also a lost dream. It’s funny how many people play it at weddings because it’s written from a different perspective. But it’s actually great that people can take something that really depressed me and fill it with hope.

Release and achievements

In 2012, Ho Hey was the lead single from the band’s debut album, which they traditionally called The Lumineers. Soon this uncomplicated little thing with simple music and even simpler lyrics appeared on the ninetieth place in the Billboard Hot 100. Within six months, it slowly rose in the prestigious charts until it ended up on the third line.

Ho Hey also reached the top 10 on many other charts in various countries, and was ranked 26th by Rolling Stone magazine on its 2012 Best Songs list.

In 2013, the song was nominated for two Grammy Awards (Best New Artist and Best American Album), but did not win either.

Video of Ho Hey by The Lumineers

The music video for Ho Hey – The Lumineers was directed by Ben Fee.

Interesting Facts

Even before the release of the single, Ho Hey was used in a Bing commercial, which contributed to her future popularity.
The album cover of The Lumineers features Wesley Schultz’s mother and grandmother.

Lyrics of Ho Hey Lyrics by The Lumineers

I been trying to do it right
I’ve been living a lonely life
I been sleepin’ here instead
I been sleepin’ in my bed
I been sleepin’ in my bed

so show me family
All the blood that I will bleed
I don’t know where I belong
I don’t know where I went wrong
But I can write a song

chorus:
I belong with you
You belong with me
You’re my sweetheart
I belong with you
You belong with me
You’re my sweet’

I don’t think you’re right for him
Think of what it might have been if we
Took a bus to Chinatown
I’d be standin’ on canal and Bowery
She’d be standing next to me

Love, we need it now
Let’s hope for some
‘Cause oh, we’re bleedin’ out

Ho Hey Lyrics by The Lumineers Alternate

I tried to make things right
I lived alone
I slept here instead
To sleep in your bed
To sleep in your bed

So show me family
All the blood that I have to shed
I don’t know where I belong
I don’t know what I did wrong
But I can write a song

Chorus:
I belong to you,
You belong to me,
You are my sweetheart
I belong to you,
You belong to me
You are my Love

I think you don’t suit him
Imagine what could happen if we
Took the bus to Chinatown
I’d stand by the canal and the Bowery
And she would stand next to me

Love – we need it
Let’s hope we get some of it
Because we are losing strength