“Ass Back Home”
Writers: Travie McCoy, Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, Eric Roberts, Matt McGinley, Benjamin Levin, Ammar Malik, Daniel Omelio, David Silberstein
Original Release Date: October 31, 2011
When Gym Class Heroes released The Papercut Chronicles II back in 2011, they peppered their singles with guest vocalists, from Adam Levine to Ryan Tedder to English singer Neon Hitch on “Ass Back Home”.
Similar to “Need You Now”, the lyrics tell the story of a separated couple who can’t wait to be reunited. The song is more pop than the rap rock GCH normally produces, with electronic and jazz influences in the percussion and an overall jaunty feel. The contrast of Neon Hitch’s adorable vocals and Travie McCoy’s rapping is what makes this tune so great.
I honestly never expected a Gym Class Heroes cover to appear on a Punk Goes Pop compilation (GCH themselves appeared on Punk Goes 90’s), but this was a good choice for the post-hardcore dudes in SECRETS. The screaming in the verses and the more pronounced beats in the chorus are unexpected in such a sweet song, but it’s fun to hear how a different approach completely changes the song’s message: the band keeps the same feelings of longing and heartache from the original but turn it into an angsty diatribe.