Gabby Barrett – I Hope (Lyrics)
Inspiration Behind I Hope:
Gabby Barret had a vision to create a song where genuine emotions are expressed. With the help of co-writers Zach Kale and Jon Nite as well as producer Ross Copperman, I Hope became a reality. The inspiration behind the lyrics stems from Gabby’s personal experiences in high school. Being cheated on for the first time left the bitter pill of betrayal inside of Gabby. This painful experience enabled Gabby to mature, wanting to highlight the positive in life with the title, I Hope. Yet the root of bitterness inside of Gabby’s heart provides an unexpected twist at the end, using hope in a negative context.
Biblical Application:
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope, Romans 15:1-4.
Exegesis of I Hope:
Yeah, yeah
Ooh, oh
Oh, oh
Yeah
The opening melody is like taking a deep breath before an important speech.
I, I hope she makes you smile
The way you made me smile
On the other end of a phone
In the middle of a highway, driving alone
Gabby focuses on an ex-boyfriend, wanting his new girlfriend to feel like she did.
Oh, baby, I, I hope you hear a song
That makes you sing along
And gets you thinking ’bout her
Then the last several miles turns into a blur, yeah
Gabby sings about how music keeps you awake while driving. The longer you drive, there is a tendency to start losing your thoughts as being tired begins to blur everything together.
I hope you both feel the sparks by the end of the drive
I hope you know she’s the one by the end of the night
I hope you never ever felt more free
Tell your friends that you’re so happy
I hope she comes along and wrecks every one of your plans
I hope you spend your last dime to put a rock on her hand
I hope she’s wilder than your wildest dreams
She’s everything you’re ever gonna need
Gabby remains positive, hoping the best for her ex-boyfriend. She hopes that he isn’t afraid of commitment and is willing to become engaged and married.
And then I hope she cheats
Like you did on me
And then I hope she cheats
Like you did on me
This is where the root of bitterness inside of Gabby rears its ugly head.
Yeah, babe, I hope he shows up in a 2:00 a.m. pic from a friend
Hanging on to a girl to just rub it in
I hope you stay up all night, all alone, waiting by the phone
And then he calls
Gabby now turns her attention to her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend, wishing she endures the same pain he brought her.
And baby, I (I), I hope you work it out
Forgive and just about forget
Let him take you on a first date again
And when you lean in for a kiss
Gabby is now back for a positive spin, hoping for reconciliation.
I hope you both feel the sparks by the end of the drive
I hope you know he’s the one by the end of the night
I hope you never ever felt more free
Tell your friends that you’re so happy
I hope he comes along and wrecks every one of your plans
I hope he spends his last dime to put a rock on your hand
I hope he’s wilder than your wildest dreams
He’s everything you’re ever gonna need
this chorus serves as a hopeful prayer, wanting the best for these two.
And then I hope he cheats
Like you did on me
And then I hope he cheats
Like you did on me
Another twist, hoping for the worse, possibly fueled by resentment.
I hope what goes, comes all the way around
I hope she makes you feel the same way
About her that I feel about you right now
Another negative stanza, wishing for karma or as the Bible states, “you reap what you sow.”
I hope you both feel the sparks by the end of the drive
I hope you know she’s the one by the end of the night
I hope you never ever felt more free
Tell your friends that you’re so happy (oh-woah, oh, woah, woah)
I hope she comes along and wrecks every one of your plans
I hope you spend your last dime to put a rock on her hand
I hope she’s wilder than your wildest dreams
She’s everything you’re ever gonna need
Gabby is having a series of emotional sways, going back and forth between wishing the best, then the worst.
And then I hope she cheats
Like you did on me
And then I hope she cheats
Like you did on me
Perhaps Jon and Zach swayed Gabby to add this twist of fate halfway through, I Hope.
Like you did on me
One last zinger, wanting her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend to want to feel the same pain that Gabby endured.
Final Thoughts:
For as long as I can remember, I try to surround myself with positive people. While Gabby is pouring out her heart as she sings, I Hope, the negative spin on hope kills the good vibes of the opening of this song. As my former pastor often taught, “hurt people hurt other people.” When you allow the root of bitterness to poison your heart, you turn hope into hate.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 