I used to know you when we were young
You were in all my dreams
We sat together in period one
Fridays at 8:15
Now I see face in the strangest places
Movies and magazines
I saw you talkin' to Christopher Walken
On my TV screen

BUt I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you

I used to work in a record store
Now I work for my dad
Scraping the paint off of hard wood floors
The hours are pretty bad
Sometimes I wonder where you are
Probably in L.A.
That seems to be where everbody else ends up these days

But I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you

And I will wait for you
As long as I need to
And if you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you
If you ever get back to Hackensack
I'll be here for you



Lyrics submitted by Thunderbolt

Hackensack Lyrics as written by Thelonious Monk Monk Thelonious

Lyrics © THELONIOUS MUSIC CORP.

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Hackensack song meanings
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19 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    This song is kinda depressing, but I still love it because I think in a way everybody can relate.

    It's pretty much about that one girl you've always loved but you've always known you could never have. Even if she wasn't "talkin' to Cristopher Walken" on your TV screen, there was just something ethereal and unique about her that told you there was no chance in hell she'd ever end up with you.

    And on that note, I'd like to say to the one I've lost: If you ever get back to Hackensack, I'll be here for you.

    WalrusManon October 05, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Either Annio is right and the girl works in television OR he is so preoccupied with her that he thinks he sees her everywhere he looks, which is how I read it. Cast your votes now...

    ShineYouDiamondon July 18, 2006   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    This song isn't about anyone in particular, it's about not being able to let something or someone go.

    Therefore, I really don't agree with people like Katy Perry who say this is a love song, and sing it like it's a serenade or something. The song should be sang quitly and should give the listener a nostaligic feeling, like Fountains of Wayne performs it.

    I really love this song. It's so sad once you understand what it is really about.

    Kemaron September 08, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    To me it seems like he's talking about someone he knew in grade school or high school. He really liked her a lot. She moved off to LA (like everyone else did) and is now famous and on TV and all these "strange places" - strange, because she was a little small towner like him. Seems like everyone else is gone from the town, moving on to (or at least trying to) bigger and better things - LA. And he's the only one left, working for his dad scraping paint. Kind of the sad, pathetic, but really devoted "I'm waiting for you" love song.

    annioon October 08, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hakensack. - New Jerseyans kick ass hard.

    ___ronweasleyon December 26, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree with Walrus man. sort of a sad song when you think about it, but still bloody amazing

    GeeEyeGeffon February 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love that the music matches the nostalgic lyrics of the song. I especially feel connected to the song because I grew up in Hackensack :)

    brakattackon June 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the whole Hollywood/LA thing is a metaphor.

    amberloveson November 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song's really good, and its obviously about him in high school liking this girl, and they both had something to do with Hackensack, NJ. Considering they grew up in Wayne, NJ.

    SSSSSKKKKKx027on February 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think the song´s all about future and the time after school when you decide what to do with your life. The guy thinks of this girl he knew from school, but it seems he doesn´t look back in anger - sometimes he wonders, an he´ll be here for here. He just does not understand why the hell she went away, because it´s not his way of living. It´s kind of sad, I think- he just takes what´s there for him and lives his life as it comes. He seems to be unconcerned about him and her- if she wants him, he´ll take it, if not, also. Very passive.

    cunningham_xon January 17, 2008   Link

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