Brooke Hogan’s powerful new ballad ‘Wanna Go Back’ serves as both tribute and confession, laying bare the painful reality of her estranged relationship with wrestling legend father Hulk Hogan while grappling with his recent death and her exclusion from his will.
Brooke Hogan has released a deeply personal musical tribute to her late father, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, but the emotional ballad “Wanna Go Back” reveals far more than simple grief. The song, released on December 18, serves as a public confession of the complex father-daughter relationship that defined their final years together, marked by estrangement, painful revelations, and Brooke’s subsequent exclusion from her father’s will.
The 37-year-old singer addresses her father directly in the haunting lyrics: “Tell me you loved me, really / Could you find me in my dreams? / All the lying, letters, lines I’m trying to read / Guess it’s not what it seemed.” These opening lines set the tone for a song that wrestles with the conflicting emotions of love, betrayal, and unresolved grief following Hulk Hogan’s death from cardiac arrest in July at age 71.
The Strained Relationship Behind the Song
Brooke and Hulk Hogan’s relationship had been publicly strained for years before his passing. In a March Instagram post, Brooke explained she had gone “no contact” with both her parents, citing the need to protect her mental health and family. This context makes the raw emotion in “Wanna Go Back” particularly poignant, as she sings about being pushed away while still longing for connection.
The chorus contains the song’s emotional core: “I don’t wanna go back because what you did to me / Daddy you lying there made a fool out of me / I don’t wanna go back because you were my world and I was your girl, but that meant nothing.” These lyrics suggest Brooke discovered painful truths about their relationship, possibly after her father’s death, that complicated her grieving process.
Addressing the Critics Head-On
Almost immediately after the song’s release, critics questioned Brooke’s motives, given the years of estrangement. One Instagram commenter bluntly stated: “So u haven’t talked to him in years but unfortunately when he passes away u wanna do tributes I mean that’s sad stuff.”
Brooke didn’t shy away from the criticism, responding directly: “Sometimes when people pass you find out things that hurt even more. That’s what this song is about.” This response indicates the song may address revelations that emerged during estate proceedings or from family dynamics after Hulk’s death.
The Inheritance Controversy
The emotional weight of “Wanna Go Back” takes on additional significance considering Brooke’s confirmed exclusion from her father’s will. In September, Brooke told TMZ that being left out was “no surprise” and actually reflected her own wishes. “It’s what I asked for, I stand by it with no regrets,” she stated, adding, “My dad knows I’m a hard worker and I have been surviving without his money for a long, long time.”
This financial independence became a point of pride for Brooke, who has built her own career and family life with husband Steven Oleksy, a former NHL player. The couple welcomed twins Oliver and Molly in January 2025, creating a new family unit separate from the Hogan wrestling dynasty.
Family Support and Moving Forward
Despite the public scrutiny, Brooke found unwavering support from her husband, who praised “Wanna Go Back” on his Instagram Story: “This song is so deep. I am so blessed to call you my wife. Your strength could never be measured. I love you!”
In a June interview with Us Weekly, Brooke revealed how motherhood had reshaped her perspective on family dynamics. “I look at my daughter and I think I can’t imagine telling her anything other than she’s just beautiful and wonderful and just encouraging her,” she shared, highlighting the protective instincts that likely influenced her decision to distance herself from her famous family.
Why This Song Matters Beyond the Headlines
“Wanna Go Back” represents more than just a celebrity tribute song—it’s a rare public glimpse into the complicated grief that follows strained family relationships. The song acknowledges that death doesn’t automatically resolve lifetime conflicts, and that inheritance disputes can compound emotional wounds.
Brooke Hogan’s musical confession joins a growing tradition of artists using their craft to process complex family dynamics, following in the footsteps of stars like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles who’ve transformed personal pain into public art. What sets “Wanna Go Back” apart is its unflinching honesty about the specific challenges faced by children of wrestling royalty navigating legacy, expectation, and personal boundaries.
The song’s release timing—just months after her father’s death and the will controversy—suggests Brooke is using music as both therapy and testimony, creating a permanent record of her truth regardless of public perception.
The Legacy of Hulk Hogan and Brooke’s Place in It
Hulk Hogan remains one of wrestling’s most iconic figures, with a legacy that extends far beyond the ring. His family’s very public struggles, including his highly publicized divorce from Linda Hogan and various legal battles, have played out in media for decades. Brooke’s song adds another chapter to this complex family narrative, one where she claims her own voice separate from the Hogan brand.
By releasing “Wanna Go Back,” Brooke Hogan isn’t just mourning her father—she’s reclaiming her narrative and establishing her identity as an artist and mother first, rather than solely as Hulk Hogan’s daughter. The song’s emotional rawness suggests this is only the beginning of her public processing of their relationship.
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