What does Upside Down mean?

Jack Johnson: Upside Down Meaning

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Album cover for Upside Down album cover

Song Released: 2006


Upside Down Lyrics

Who's to say
What's impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to...

  1. 1TOP RATED

    #1 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Jul 24th 2010 !⃝

    I believe this song is about being a child. It is in a children's movie, after all. He's saying to break barriers and be your own person, and when people say anything's impossible to remember that there is always a chance for everything, that the world keeps spinning, that there are always new and innovative people. Everyday, people, things, and ideas are changing. As people break these barriers, things that we're used to seeing or believing will change, and that's okay, but other things and core beliefs will stay the same, and that's okay as well. Don't be afraid to be curious, let you mind fly. Use that to change the way people see things. Do things differently, and share this with others. Celebrate it, and continue to live like this. Always believe in yourself. Always stay true to yourself, because that's who you were meant to be.

  2. 2TOP RATED

    #2 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
    click a star to vote
    Sep 7th 2006 !⃝

    Wow I didn't think it was possible, but another stoner has found away to twist lyrics to make them sound like it's about getting high. May I remind you that this song was from the curious george sound track which was a kid’s movie! Whoever wrote passage one, bravo. Anyway it’s a kid’s song that’s meant to inspire kids to always dream and search for truth, share, dream, love the earth, and be active, basically the perfect kids song. That’s all old jack wanted to share with the kids and not tell them the joys of being high. And a note to all the stoners out there, there’s more to life than getting high and telling everyone about it. Check out reality some time it’s actually pretty interesting and fulfilling if you actually do something with your life. Maybe jack’s children’s songs are for you guys.

  3. 3TOP RATED

    #3 top rated interpretation:
    litlmsbrowneyes
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    Jul 2nd 2007 !⃝

    Haha, this song was in like, curious George or something. do you seriously think it would be about getting high?

  4. anonymous
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    Dec 10th 2020 !⃝

    I think it's about trying to get an ex back who's around but won't commit again. No one else thinks it will work, but the protagonist does. Turning it all upside down is starting over, and the feeling he doesn't want to go away is love.

    The protagonist keep climbing uphill and putting all the effort in, working hard for it, but slowly realizes it's not going to work.

    They don't want their lover to go away, but 'is this how it's supposed to be' is when they realize it's the end and you can hear the disappointment in Jack's voice.

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
  5. anonymous
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    Mar 2nd 2020 !⃝

    Im not sure what his intention was in writing this song, however it is now resonates in me at the highest level ( and I dont mean drug high). I just experienced a spiritual awakening and this song now describes my outlook on life. Very insightful. Thanks Jack.

  6. anonymous
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    Sep 14th 2019 !⃝

    It’s about feeling good and not ever wanting it to end!

  7. anonymous
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    Sep 29th 2014 !⃝

    Everything is changing, but even so some things “they may remain the same”. It also means that we want to change stuff in the world. There are things we may not agree with so we want to “turn the whole thing upside down”. Its also about, as the world changes, we change. Or, as we change, the decisions we choose changes how the world changes.
    NOT DRUGS.

  8. taylorbabyy
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    Dec 19th 2007 !⃝

    Yeah this was definitely in Curious George. It is a song inspiring kids to think differently and to not set boundaries for their minds. NOT about getting high.I mean seriously? Don't you think its possible for the mind to spread its wings without the person getting high?

  9. anonymous
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    Feb 25th 2007 !⃝

    Dude I think its jack just saying live your life good man and by the way you don't have to get high to feel good

  10. anonymous
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    Aug 17th 2006 !⃝

    It doesn't all have to be about drugs. Damn. Can't he just be getitng high on life? He's realizing that there is just not enough time to waste it all. He suddenly gets a happy feeling, and feeling that he wishes everyone in the world can feel all the time.

    "please don't go away
    is this how it's supposed to be "

    If he was on drugs he wouldn't be asking please don't go away, because it doesn't have to. He could just do more. This is a mood that he doesn't know where it came from and he likes and and doesn't want it to leave. And he is asking is htis how it's suppose to be almost as if he understands. Like he's asking god or that greater power is this is what life is suppose to be like? He understands now.

  11. gunplay55
    click a star to vote
    May 18th 2006 !⃝

    Lemmme jus say, this song is about when you get high you turn everything upside down. Its saying that your mind lets you see the inpossible when your high and you see situations and things from a different point of view. He wants to share with people the things that no one can see and they would be amazed."I can feel a change in everything And as the surface breaks reflections fade But in some ways they remain the same
    And as my mind begins to spread its wings Theres no stopping curiosity" This qoute says that even we might act differently on the outside we see stuff the same on the inside. Also as his mind begins to spread its wings(get high) he can think and see what can be seen or thought.

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway

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