The Meaning of “High” by 5 Seconds of Summer Explained

Decoding the Emotion Behind “High” by 5 Seconds of Summer

When Australian pop-rock powerhouse 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) released their fourth studio album, CALM, they chose a very specific, melancholic, yet ironically charming track to close the record: “High.”

Far from your standard, run-of-the-mill breakup anthem, “High” stands out for its brutally honest lyricism, bittersweet vulnerability, and a clever wordplay hook that defines the entire emotional core of the song.

The Linguistic Twist: “High” vs. “Highly”

At the heart of the track is its catchy and clever chorus:

“I hope you think of me high / I hope you think of me highly.”

Lead vocalist Luke Hemmings has noted in interviews that the writing process for this track felt inherently self-involved, yet sweet. The word “high” carries a double meaning. On one hand, it nods to the nostalgic, hazy memories of past carefree days and late nights spent together (“the mornings we were high”). On the other hand, it pairs directly with the adverb “highly,” creating a tongue-in-cheek plea: even if the relationship dissolved and the narrator knows he didn’t live up to expectations, he still selfishly hopes his ex remembers him fondly and speaks well of him.

Key Themes Explored in the Track

• Flawed Self-Perception and Growth: Throughout the song, the narrator grapples with personal shortcomings (“I need to stop letting me down”) and the desire to change, juxtaposed against the realization that an ex may never view them with enough respect to notice those efforts.
• The Interference of Outsiders: Lines like “I know your friends all lie / I know your friends don’t like me” touch on the universal post-breakup friction where external social circles and protective friends skew the narrative of who is to blame.
• Idealized Memories: The track recognizes that the idealized version of the narrator living inside the ex’s mind might be better left untouched, preserving a bittersweet phantom of what used to be rather than trying to fix what’s broken.

Why the Meaning Resonates

Ultimately, “High” strikes a chord with listeners because it captures the ego and vulnerability inherent in a fading connection. It strips away the bravado of trying to look completely unaffected by a breakup. Instead, it leans into a relatable, quiet desperation: wanting to move forward, yet secretly hoping that when the past crosses an ex’s mind, they still hold a soft spot—and a high opinion—of who you once were to them.

Watch the official music video for High

This video provides the official visual accompaniment for the track, visually capturing the emotional weight and nostalgic atmosphere behind the song’s lyrics.
http://googleusercontent.com/youtube_content/1