The Lost Weekend of Phoebo
- Stand-Up Comedy Historian
- 8 hours ago
- 9 min read
The Phoebo phenomenon continues with the release of Phoebe Bridgers’ newest album, Lost Weekend! The album dropped on August 14th, and there’s been a renewed interest in the power couple’s relationship on my website.
Since it’s highly unlikely Bo will be putting out any comedy specials this year, and the Sesame Street movie with him as the composer still seems to be dead in the water (prove me wrong, universe!), I thought it would be fun to do a deep-dive analysis of Phoebe’s album, especially the songs in which Bo is mentioned OR sings in the background.
That’s right! In addition to having a whole song devoted to him and their very sweet relationship, Bo has vocal credits on 3 songs: (1) The Outside, (5) Bobby, and (11) Never Going Back!
Bo also has lyrical credits on 6 songs: (2) Lost Boys, (5) Bobby, (7) Haunted, (14) I Can’t Wait, (15) As Above, (16) Lost Weekend (Reprise).
This is the most new music Bo has been associated with since he dropped the THE INSIDE OUTTAKES in 2023, so obviously I want to delve into each and every reference as well as discuss how some of the songs relate to Bo’s previous works.
Plus, Phoebe is apparently THE face of Indie music, per my Amazon Music homepage, so why not analyze her latest release?
I’ve broken this down song by song, focusing primarily on Bo’s contributions, so let’s go!
Track 1: “The Outside”
Bo’s involvement: Vocals and Lyrics
This is the first song on the album and could easily fit in with the themes of Inside, particularly “That Funny Feeling” and the Grammy-winning “All Eyes on Me.”
“The Outside” uses a vocoder to symbolize the feeling of disassociation to great effect, and explicitly reminds me of Bo’s “funny story” in the middle of AEOM.
Also, this track features only Phoebo on vocals, so my best guess as to his contribution is the lower register voice that provides harmony. We know he’s good at that based on their singing together at Largo on the Coronet!
Track 2: “Lost Boys”
Bo’s involvement: Lyrics
This is the first single off of the album that came out in June. I’ve even heard it already on my favorite alt-rock radio station (104.5), so it’s certainly making the rounds!
There has been a lot of speculation that the third verse of this song is about Phoebe’s relationship with Bo, and I can see it.
Here are the specific lyrics:
In a twin bed, where all will be forgiven in an instant
Hands in each other's hair
We are born again, so who cares where we're going?
In the morning, you were not there
I mean, check out that thumbnail picture again. They do both have long hair! Haha
Track 3: “Kill Me”
Bo’s involvement: None
Bo isn’t singing or writing lyrics for this particular song.
However, there is one section that is clearly about him:
Costume party
When the veil was thinning
He kissed me hello
He tastes like a flower with chemical petals
Bobby, you taught me that I know nothing
Okay. First of all, I can’t help but associate the “costume party” with an early outing of Phoebe with Bo as her plus one at the GQ Men of the Year party in November 2022.
So there’s that. Secondly, Phoebe references one of Bo’s favorite authors here.
As Reddit user Fit_Dig6332 points out, the term “a flower with chemical petals” is a line from David Foster Wallace’s short story, “Forever Overhead” (https://biblioklept.org/2014/09/01/forever-overhead-david-foster-wallace/).
Bo noted back in the day on Twitter that this piece was a MAJOR inspiration for his beautiful and moving film Eighth Grade.
In the short story , the teenaged narrator describes the smell of his semen and a swimming pool in the following way:
The smell is, more than anything, like this swimming pool: a bleached sweet salt, a flower with chemical petals.
And after reading that, I remembered another Bo-related DFW reference.
In his book of poetry, Egghead, Bo includes an illustration of a flower on a diving board that I believe must be a purposeful allusion to one of his “favorite pieces of writing.”
Finally, the line about Phoebe knowing nothing is how most of Bo’s fans feel about him. He uses comedy to entertain and educate, like the concept of the attention economy and the disassociation inherent in social media (where we watch our lives outside of ourselves). He’s also brilliant (I mean, he was accepted to Harvard).
Plus the line reminds me of Game of Thrones haha.
I also like the refrain of “Let’s go missing,” which seems to be about the two being completely absent on social media for a long time. This is something Bo does often (fans call it “HiBonation”), but I’m sure Phoebe’s devotees were confused when she went off the grid. This had to have been Bo’s influence, and good for them! Social media is seriously a cesspool.
Track 4: “The Governor’s Waltz”
Bo’s involvement: None
Track 5: “Bobby”
Bo’s involvement: EVERYTHING (subject, lyrics, and vocals)
This is THE song I really want to dissect…a sweet song about their relationship that clearly references Inside.
What’s not to love?! So let’s get into it.
I saw you slow dancing alone in your room
General consensus online is that this is referring specifically to Bo dancing around by himself in All Eyes on Me. Makes sense to me!
And I wanted to buy you a new pair of shoes
Okay, so this was super weird when I first heard because I had actually collected various images of Bo’s shoes in Inside when I was racking my brain for new article ideas. This topic kinda fell apart when I realized how dull it would be for anyone but a super fan to read.
However, from this collection of photos, I can say with certainty that Bo wears two types of shoes in his special: flip-flops (Social Brand Consultant) , gray sliders (ATL), and brown slippers (White Woman’s Instagram, Welcome to the Internet, the video game segment). Other than that, he is in socks or barefoot. So yeah…a person watching might want him to get some new footwear!
Now you’re walking around with my heart on your sleeve
And I am right here bleeding
So you followed me home like you’d done it before
And you had to bend over to get through the door
Bo is a TALL man (6 foot 5 inches), and you can very clearly see him have to bend down to get in and out of the ruhm in Make Happy and in Inside.
And if you didn’t like either one of my friends
I’d kill them, I’d kill them
Bobby, this could be the end of wanting
Now I sleep in your shirts
And you live in my house
You sing in the shower
I talk to myself
THIS is such a great part of the song. We hear Bo’s voice singing along to “I talk to myself,” and I nearly jumped out of my seat the first time I heard it. Bo! Singing! Again! Love it, and that line is so indicative of all of Inside, it’s not even funny.
We’ve got stars on the ceiling and clothes on the floor
While Phoebe had listening parties at planetariums around the country due to this line, I can’t help but immediately think of the star projector Bo uses in Inside, particularly in “Welcome to the Internet.” You can actually buy a nebula projector of your own (I have two types currently: one like Bo’s and one that’s shaped like an astronaut). They are very soothing at night!
And a thing in a box I don’t touch anymore
I think we can all discern Phoebe’s meaning here. No vibes lol
Bobby, this could be the end of wanting
I exist only if you’re watching
This could be the end
Bo is clearly singing here again, and I believe this was the point whenI burst into tears. He just sounds so happy and in love…such a wonderful moment in the song!
Now I don’t know if I can make it tonight
But what are you doing the rest of my life, Bobby
All in all, this is my favorite track on the album for obvious reasons, and I really hope he makes some appearances on her tour next year to sing this lovely duet with Phoebe. A girl can dream!
Track 6: “Lost Weekend”
Bo’s involvement: None
Track 7: “Haunted”
Bo’s involvement: Lyrics
This track is difficult to discern which lines could be from Bo, but my best guess would verse 2, which is about the things we hide:
I have no secrets, only feelings
And I know those go away
There is a difference
Between lying and deciding what not to say
I could be totally wrong, but that sentiment feels like something Bo would write.
Track 8: “Panorama”
Bo’s involvement: None
Track 9: “Still Standing”
Bo’s involvement: None
Track 10: “Liberty Tree”
Bo’s involvement: None
While Bo does not contribute to this song, the mall being referenced DOES relate to Bo and Massachusetts (where he is from).
Specifically, the Liberty Tree Mall is a shopping area that is close to Hamilton (where Bo was born) and Gloucester (where Scott Burnham’s construction company https://www.burnhamconstruction.com/scott-burnham-president is located and where Bo’s parents currently live). It makes sense that Phoebe would have some deeper knowledge of the location because of her trips to see Bo’s hometown and his family.
I also thought it was funny that Phoebe has a line about using a photo booth there that rings true to her social media pics (and freeing the nipple):
Liberty Tree Mall
In the photo booth
This place is dying
We don’t care if we’re living proof
I’m stickin’ out my tongue
And liftin’ up my shirt
So there’s that.
You were made in the image of God
Case in point, Bosus imagery!
But you look like your mom in this picture of us
Bo does look a LOT like his mother Pattie.
Fallin’ in love that night after our fight
And the past is lookin’ brighter all the time
Finally, the very end of the song is a plea to Bo:
Don’t die, Bobby, before I die
It feels so good to have you in my life
I understand that feeling so well with my husband, Jeff. The thought of not having him in my life is terrifying—I have never loved someone so deeply until I met him (excluding my two children, of course)!
Track 11: “Never Going Back!”
Bo’s involvement: Vocals
The sentiment of this song appears to be one of acceptance. That the past is the past, and we can’t return to how it was no matter how much we want to.
That message is particularly poignant when considering the mistakes of youth or, more likely in Phoebe’s case, the death of her father.
This is also a relatively simple song, but I believe you can hear Bo singing in his lower register for “Never going back again.”
Track 12: “Other Plans”
Bo’s involvement: None
Track 13: “Lost Parade”
Bo’s involvement: None
Track 14: “I Can’t Wait”
Bo’s involvement: Lyrics
There are two sections in this song that remind me of Bo’s sense of humor. First, the reference to pot:
Not so slowly getting older
California sober
And secondly, the chorus:
I’m not good, but I’m better
Missed my cue, but whatever
It’s now or never
Again, I don’t know his exact contributions, but accepting one’s mistakes seems like something Bo would write about (as he is a bona fide perfectionist who struggles with not nailing every cue).
The “Hyde Jekyll Hyde” repetition is another clear literary reference, so that could be something he suggested since Bo is well-read and would like the double meaning of Hyde/hide.
Track 15: “As Above”
Bo’s involvement: Lyrics
This song has some personal meaning to me since I was just at Coney Island last month for my birthday, and Jeff and I went on the Wonder Wheel!
Now I don’t want to live forever
But I don’t wanna die
Before I take you to Coney Island
Screamin’ on the Wonder Wheel
You’re gonna take me for granted
But I can handle it
This section of the song immediately jumped out for me because I have first-hand experience riding that Ferris wheel. Jeff and I went in an outer stationary white car that didn’t swing back and forth, but I could certainly see someone being scared on the red or blue sliding ones!
I also think it’s funny that Phoebe has divulged that the movie “where they go back in time” is Hot Tub Time Machine. What a classic!
Again, I have no clue what Bo added to this song, but I would guess he might have contributed the line about making faces at a kid on the plane.
Track 16: “Lost Weekend (Reprise)”
Bo’s involvement: Lyrics
And we come to the final track on the album.
If I had to hazard a guess, I would say the more political aspect of this song is Bo’s contribution, particularly the line about the government:
Like how to forgive when they’re not sorry
And the government isn’t tryna kill you
They just don’t care if they kill you
This sentiment reminds me of “How the World Works” and Socko.
Finally, I just wanted to point out how clever this line is:
I fought the wall and the wall won
Clearly a cheeky reference to the Clash, but I particularly enjoy flipping “law” to “wal(l)”; such smart wordplay!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at Bo’s appearances and references in Phoebe’s album.
As a special treat, here are some fun items I found scrolling through YouTube and Reddit comments about the power couple. Enjoy, and keep it here for more comedy/music fun! ✌️🐔
And my favorite mashup of all: Bo and BoJack Horseman!
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