Behind the Track: Unpacking the Meaning of 5 Seconds of Summer’s “High”
When 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) closed out their critically acclaimed 2020 album CALM with the track “High,” fans were left with a haunting, bittersweet melody that lingered long after the final chord. Far from a standard, cookie-cutter breakup anthem, “High” delivers a raw, surprisingly vulnerable look into ego, personal growth, and the lingering desire to be remembered fondly by someone from your past.
If you’ve ever wondered about the layers behind the lyrics, here is a complete breakdown of what “High” really means.
The Core Concept: A “Narcissistic” Yet Vulnerable Confession
Lead vocalist Luke Hemmings has openly described the track as an “almost narcissistic note to yourself,” wrapped up in a sweet and unassuming package. The central hook of the song plays on a clever double entendre:
“I hope you think of me high / I hope you think of me highly / When you’re with someone else.”
On the surface, it’s a self-involved plea. The narrator—fully aware of their own flaws and the fact that they didn’t meet their partner’s expectations—still selfishly craves a positive legacy in the mind of an ex. Rather than wishing for total heartbreak or retaliation, the narrator simply wants to be idealized, hoping the ex’s new reality measures up poorly against the memory of them.
Navigating Flawed Perceptions and Expectations
Throughout the song, 5SOS tackles the complex dynamics of a fractured relationship. Lines like, *”I know I’
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