'Are We Ever Gonna Work Out Baby' by Joshua Slone - Lyrics and Meaning

Joshua Slone has released his second project, Long Life Living For A Lover Boy. The EP follows his debut album, Thinking Too Much, that he released in October 2025. With millions of streams per track, Slone’s next project has been highly anticipated and has already garnered significant buzz amongst fans.

It’s a guitar lead song, with Slone’s vocals doing the heavy lifting. He lilts over the gentle melody with the pain of the song strained in his voice by the first chorus. As we open out in the middle, we’re introduced to an echo of banjo and steel that dances in the background. The end mirrors the start, delicately closing out the track.

I called you late last night
Without the nerve to talk 'cause I
Was scared you wouldn't answer
If you heard my voice again
I know it pissed you off
When you picked up, you sighed real soft
That's the risk I'll take
To feel like I've been a little missed

Our protagonist has called his ex-lover, possibly soon after a break-up, possibly after a long time period. She’s answered but he’s remained silent, his nerve to talk lost in the ether. And with indifference being the antithesis to love, we can tell that she is not yet indifferent, and that tiny hit of the feeling of being loved or hated is enough to make the silent phone call worthwhile. Someone that’s pissed off is not indifferent.

Am I wrong for it? Am I crazy?
Do you wanna call me back? Just maybe
Do you long for it? Do you hate me?
Are we ever gonna work out, baby?
Are we ever gonna work out, baby?

Living in the unknown, he wonders if there’s any hope for a reconciliation. Is he just chasing the high or is it something that’s reciprocated, even slightly? He can’t shake the feeling that they’re meant to be together and he’s trying to figure out if it’s love or limerance.

You said "You know it's me
You called three times, but you won’t speak"
I can't figure out what I would say
Even if I did
You said you got a man
But he don't love you like I can
And I’d give you another chance
If you'd only call it quits

There’s a softness to her words. It’s not a cold rejection, but an encouragement. She’s familiar, they have a shared history, he can speak to her. But words fail him. He’s finding it challenging to convey his complex feelings. And maybe the complexity is exacerbated by their intertwined history. She is both lover and stranger, friend and foe. The situation is not helped by her revelation of a new partner, but the candle burns bright for Slone because this partner doesn’t compare. He’d forget it all and dive back in if only she’d let him.

"I called you late last night
Without the nerve to talk 'cause I
Was scared you wouldn't answer
If you heard my voice again
I know it pissed you off
When you picked up, you sighed real soft
That's the risk I'll take
To feel like I've been a little missed

Am I wrong for it? Am I crazy?
Do you wanna call me back? Just maybe
Do you long for it? Do you hate me?
Are we ever gonna work out, baby?

Are we ever gonna work out, baby?

You said "You know it's me
You called three times, but you won’t speak"
I can't figure out what I would say
Even if I did
You said you got a man
But he don't love you like I can
And I’d give you another chance
If you'd only call it quits

Am I wrong for it? Am I crazy?
Do you wanna call me back? Just maybe
Do you long for it? Do you hate me?
Are we ever gonna work out, baby?
Am I too attached? Am I lazy?
'Cause I always find a way back lately
Do you hate him 'cause he ain't me?
Are we ever gonna work out, baby?

Are we ever gonna work out, baby?

I called you late last night
Without the nerve to talk 'cause I
Was scared you wouldn't answer
If you heard my voice again"

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