Hell N Back (feat. Summer Walker)

"Hell N Back" is a deeply personal and introspective song that explores themes of redemption, salvation, and the transformative power of love. The central message is about finding a person who pulls you out of a dark period of loneliness, substance abuse, and mental struggle. The title itself is a powerful metaphor for enduring extreme hardship and emotional turmoil, not alone, but with a partner, to finally arrive at a place of peace and stability.

Bakar's lyrics paint a picture of a life that, on the surface, may have seemed complete ("Man, I thought I had everything") but was plagued by profound loneliness. The introduction of a significant other marks a pivotal turning point. This person provides light and color ("Would you be my light, be my yellow?") in a bleak existence. The song candidly addresses past struggles, including drug use ("I mixed a lot of love with a lot of drugs, then I found you"), suggesting a lifestyle of seeking escape. Love becomes the ultimate, healthier form of euphoria that replaces the artificial ones.

Summer Walker's verse on the remix adds a crucial layer of reciprocity. It's not a one-sided rescue; it's a mutual pact of salvation. She acknowledges his brokenness and her role in helping him heal, but also reveals her own past disillusionment with love, which he, in turn, cured. This transforms the narrative from a simple story of being saved into a more complex and realistic portrayal of a relationship where both partners provide strength and support, finding in each other the stability they both lacked.

The song narrates a profound story of personal transformation and redemption through the power of love. It begins with the protagonist, Bakar, reflecting on a dark and chaotic period in his life, asking a new partner if she could perceive the turmoil he was in when they first met. He acknowledges that together, they have navigated immense challenges—a journey he metaphorically describes as going to "hell and back"—in order to find a state of peace. Before this relationship, he felt a deep sense of loneliness, even when it seemed like he had everything materialistically. This new person has completely filled that void, becoming his everything and shifting his perspective entirely.

He delves into the specifics of his past, admitting to a reckless lifestyle where he mixed substance use with his search for love. His life changed upon meeting this particular woman, who is depicted with vivid imagery, such as having "green eyes like Mountain Dew" and a penchant for "petty crimes." She was unique, and while her friends may have disappeared from their lives, he sees it as their loss, confident in the potential of their relationship. He asks her to be his symbolic "yellow"—a beacon of light and happiness, a direct reference to the EP the original song appeared on, "Will You Be My Yellow?". He recalls euphoric moments, like walking down London's Portobello Road and using MDMA to escape reality, moments that solidified their bond. He expresses astonishment and gratitude, marveling at how this person unexpectedly saved his life and lifted his spirits.

Summer Walker's verse offers a reciprocal perspective, confirming that she could indeed see his troubled state of mind when they met. She portrays herself as a healer, someone naturally drawn to fixing what is broken, and she was determined to bring a genuine smile to his face, which he had forgotten how to do. She acknowledges the recent hardships of life but offers a pact of mutual salvation: "I save you if you save me." She, too, had become jaded with love, feeling she had enough of it, until he came into her life. Her verse reinforces the theme of mutual support, emphasizing that when no one else is there, they have each other for their respective sanity and mental well-being. The duet strengthens the core message that their connection is a two-way street of healing and support, a sanctuary from the world and their own inner demons.

The original version of "Hell N Back" was written by Bakar (Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr) along with producers Matt Schaeffer, Jake Kosich, and Johnny Kosich of the collective Beach Noise, as well as Andrew Boyd, Isaiah Barr, and Lee Diamond. It was released on August 15, 2019, as the lead single from his EP, Will You Be My Yellow?. Bakar has explained that before even writing the song, he had the concept for the project title, inspired by a painting he had created. The song was born from a place of emotional weight, influenced by personal relationship dynamics and the recent passing of a friend. This confluence of emotions, he stated, gave him the "oomph" to write something as dramatic and heartfelt as "save my life."

The song became a sleeper hit, particularly in the United States, gaining traction long after its initial release. It topped the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart in July 2020 after a record-breaking 27-week climb. Bakar has admitted to having a "love-hate relationship" with the song due to its immense popularity, fearing it would overshadow his other work, but he has since come to terms with its success and is grateful for it.

The remix featuring American R&B singer Summer Walker was released on September 21, 2023, as part of Bakar's second album, Halo. Bakar felt that Summer Walker was the only person he could envision on the remix, stating she represents much of what he was trying to convey and that she has an "Amy Winehouse about her." Walker wrote her own verse, adding her perspective to the narrative. This new version gave the song a second life, leading to a surge in popularity in 2024, partly fueled by a viral trend on TikTok. The remix successfully charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 53.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Hell N Back" are key to its laid-back, conversational, and catchy feel. The song's structure feels more aligned with hip-hop and conversational pop than a rigid poetic form.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is generally loose and follows patterns common in modern pop and hip-hop, often using couplets (AABB) within its verses but not adhering to a strict structure throughout. For example, in the first verse, "day" rhymes with "away," creating a simple, effective pairing that highlights the escapist theme. Bakar prioritizes a natural, narrative flow over complex rhyme patterns, which contributes to the song's authentic and confessional tone.

Rhythm and Meter: The song's rhythm is built on a relaxed, mid-tempo hip-hop-inspired drum beat. Bakar's vocal delivery is rhythmically fluid, moving seamlessly between singing and a more spoken-word, almost rap-like cadence. This syncopated, conversational flow makes the lyrical delivery feel effortless and personal. The underlying musical rhythm is steady and simple, driven by two repeating chords, which creates a hypnotic, easy-listening groove that contrasts with the lyrical discussion of turmoil. This contrast between a chilled-out rhythm and heavy subject matter is a defining characteristic of the track. Summer Walker's verse complements this by introducing a smoother, classic R&B rhythmic flow, adding texture and a new dynamic to the song's second half.

"Hell N Back" blends several literary and musical techniques to create its distinctive, genre-defying sound.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The track is a hallmark of Bakar's self-described "schizophrenic" style, merging elements of indie pop, alternative R&B, neo-soul, reggae, and hip-hop. This creates a sound that is both vintage and contemporary.
• Instrumentation: The song features a deceptively cheerful and breezy arrangement. Key elements include a soulful 60s-style piano, a relaxed reggae-inspired guitar rhythm, a hip-hop drumbeat, and a prominent, soulful horn section that adds a jazzy, vintage feel.
• Whistling Hook: One of the song's most memorable features is its simple, whistled melody that serves as the main hook. It's soft and inviting, contributing significantly to the track's laid-back, optimistic atmosphere despite the heavy lyrical themes.
• Vocal Delivery: Bakar's vocal style is relaxed and conversational, sometimes slipping into a spoken-word cadence, which enhances the song's intimate and confessional quality. Summer Walker's addition provides a smooth, classic R&B texture, creating a conversational duet.

Literary Techniques:

• Direct Address & Rhetorical Questions: The song opens with a direct question, "Could you tell where my head was at when you found me?", immediately establishing an intimate and vulnerable tone.
• Metaphor: The title and chorus ("Me and you went to hell and back") serve as the song's central metaphor for overcoming shared adversity.
• Imagery & Simile: Vivid imagery is used to create a strong sense of place and character, such as "P.Y.T. walking down Portobello." A notable simile is "she had green eyes like Mountain Dew," a playful and modern comparison that makes the character feel real and distinct.

"Hell N Back" has had a significant and prolonged cultural impact, largely defined by its status as a "sleeper hit." Originally released in 2019, the song slowly gained momentum, eventually topping the US Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart in July 2020 after a record-breaking 27-week climb. This demonstrated its organic and enduring appeal far beyond its initial release window.

The song's influence was massively amplified by its use in various media. It was featured in the teaser trailer for the 2023 Pixar film Elemental and in commercials for the NFL Shop, exposing it to a mainstream global audience. However, its most significant resurgence came in 2024 when the remix featuring Summer Walker went viral on TikTok. Her verse, particularly the line "I was over love, I had enough, then I found you," became the soundtrack for a popular trend where users celebrated their significant others, further cementing the song's themes of redemptive love in the cultural zeitgeist.

Critically, the song was praised for its charming, retro feel and its unique blend of genres, with outlets like The Observer calling it a "charming retro love song" with an edge. Its success marked a key moment in Bakar's career, establishing him as a genre-bending artist capable of achieving mainstream success while retaining a unique, alternative sound.

The song is built around several powerful symbols and metaphors that enrich its narrative of struggle and salvation.

• Hell N Back: This is the central metaphor of the song. It doesn't refer to a literal journey but represents a period of intense emotional and psychological suffering, including loneliness, drug use, and despair. Going "to hell and back" with someone signifies a relationship that has weathered the most severe trials to find peace, highlighting its strength and resilience.
• Yellow: In the line, "And would you be my light, be my yellow?", yellow symbolizes happiness, light, and hope. It's a request for his partner to be the beacon that guides him out of the darkness he was experiencing. The question is also the title of the EP the song originates from, Will You Be My Yellow?, cementing it as a core theme.
• Flying My Kite: The phrase "Who'd have known you would fly my kite?" is a metaphor for being uplifted and liberated from a low emotional state. It evokes an image of being given freedom and joy, a feeling of weightlessness after being burdened by personal struggles.
• Wrong Side of the Moon: This lyric, found in the original version, is a play on Pink Floyd's album "The Dark Side of the Moon" and symbolizes being in a state of isolation, madness, or simply being on the losing end of a situation. It's an image of being lost in darkness and out of sync with the world.
• Tutankhamun and Cleopatra: Also in the original, these historical figures are used to symbolize a powerful, loyal, and authentic bond, contrasting with superficial relationships.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the chorus itself: "Could you tell where my head was at when you found me? / Me and you went to hell and back just to find peace." This refrain serves as the thematic anchor of the entire song. Its repetition drills home the central idea of being found and saved from a dark mental space. The question "Could you tell?" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing a sense of vulnerability and a deep-seated need to be understood. It reflects on the beginning of the relationship, questioning if his inner turmoil was visible to the person who would ultimately become his salvation.

The line "Man, I thought I had everything, I was lonely / Now you're my everything" is another crucial recurring motif. It powerfully contrasts material completeness with emotional emptiness and highlights the profound shift in priorities that love has brought about. This phrase is slightly altered throughout the song, reinforcing the transformation from loneliness to fulfillment.

A recurring musical motif is the whistled hook that opens the song and reappears throughout. This simple, breezy melody acts as an ironic counterpoint to the lyrical themes of "hell" and struggle. It provides a sense of light and optimism, suggesting that despite the hardships discussed, the ultimate outcome is one of peace and contentment.