The Real Meaning Behind Wandered To LA By Justin Bieber And Juice WRLD
Justin Bieber and Juice WRLD have teamed up for an epic and very candid new song. Bieber teamed up with the rapper posthumously for the release, as Juice WRLD sadly passed away in December 2019 of an accidental overdose (via BBC News). His sad death came after he experienced a seizure while police were searching his private jet, and he then died shortly afterwards in hospital.
The star's estate has continued to release new music in the wake of his death though, including his first posthumous album "Legends Never Die," which dropped in July and the December 10 release, "Fighting Demons," which features his duet with Bieber.
But what is Bieber and Juice WRLD's track really about? Well, the song — released on December 3 — is titled "Wandered to LA" and actually has some pretty chilling lyrics, particularly in the wake of Juice WRLD's death. But it hasn't actually always featured the Canadian superstar. Juice WRLD actually previewed the track in September 2018, more than a year before his death (via Billboard) and it was confirmed on December 2 (which would have been Juice WRLD's 23rd birthday) that the song would be released as a duet with Bieber.
"Wandered to LA" tells a story of love and drugs
Justin Bieber and Juice WRLD's "Wandered to LA" is all about fighting demons, including love and drugs, and features some very poignant lyrics. On it, the rapper explains in the chorus, "I wandered to LA hopin' to explore/Little did I know, I'd find a little more/Love at my hotel room door/From the bed to the hotel room floor" (via Genius).
He also raps explicitly about drug use on the song — which features a cartoon version of the two on the artwork. He raps, "Maybe it's the love, maybe it's the drugs/Maybe it's because my girlfriend is the plug/Cocaine strums like guitar chords/She loves drugs, she goes hardcore/She's hidin' from the truth, it's under the rug."
The "Off My Face" hitmaker's lyrics appear to be a little more optimistic about love and a relationship that almost ended, but was then recovered. He sings in part, "Pillowtalkin' 'bout our future and our dreams/Speakin' 'bout how life ain't really as it seems/Reminiscin' 'bout the days you broke my heart/Thankful that we worked it out, we come so far."
"Wandered to LA" discusses depression and anxiety
Prior to the official release of "Wandered to LA," Justin Bieber and Juice WRLD's team dropped a trailer for the song on December 2 that discussed feelings of anxiety and depression. In it, the late rapper explained that there shouldn't be a stigma surrounding anxiety and mental health issues and there needs to be a "change." It was also revealed in the trailer that Juice WRLD was expected to be admitted to rehab before his death and opens with the line, "You have power over depression."
As for Bieber, he confirmed in the trailer that he too has had his own issues with mental health and drug issues, sharing that he would smoke and take pills regularly. He even admitted that the public "don't know how serious" his addiction got, adding, "I would just encourage people, like, hey, if you're feeling lonely, talk about it. Say it out loud. There's a freedom in that." Bieber shared the same snippet to raise awareness of the song via his Instagram Stories shortly before its release.
That appears to link to the theme of the Juice WRLD album, "Fighting Demons." A trailer released on November 11 opens with the words, "You are not your struggles. Addiction, anxiety, depression do not define you."
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).