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Rock Star Poser
N*E*R*D Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fuckin' posers
Yo, yo, yeah
Yo, yo, yeah
Yo, yo, yeah
Yo, yo, yeah

Yeah (uh, uh huh)
Fuckin' posers
It's almost over now, almost over now
For all you, fuckin' posers (yeah)
Yeah
It's almost over now, almost over now

You think the way you live is okay
You think posing will save your day
You think we don't see that you're running
Better call your boys 'cause I'm coming

You can't be me, I'm a rock star
I'm rhyming on the top of a cop car
I'm a rebel and my .44 pops far
It's almost over now, almost over now
Guess, you ain't heard that we swallow guys
It's too damn late, to apologize
When you see the mantle or when you see the skies
It's almost over now, almost over now

You think that you don't have to ever quit
You think that you can get away with it
You think the light won't be ever lit
It's almost over now, almost over now
Somethings on your chest better get it off
There'll be no one left when we set it off
We ain't gonna take it no more
Since it's almost over now, almost over now

You have to plenty of time, there was no rush
But it was your dream to be like us
You're in dreamland so you don't care
And as you wake, we're standing there (I'm standing there, I'm standing there motherfucker)

You can't be me, I'm a rock star
I'm rhyming on the top of a cop car
I'm a rebel and my .44 pops far
It's almost over now it's almost over now
Guess, you ain't heard that we swallow guys
It's too damn late, to apologize
When you see the mantle or when you see the skies
It's almost over now it's almost over now

You think that you don't have to ever quit
You think that you can get away with it
You think the light won't be ever lit
It's almost over now, almost over now
Somethings on your chest better get it off
There'll be no one left when we set it off
We ain't gonna take it no more
Since it's almost over now, almost over now

On your chest better get it off (get it off)
Set it off (pop, pop, pop)

It's almost over now, almost over now (look, It's almost over now, almost over now)
You don't succeed 'cause you hesitate
You think we're fly, but we levitate
Just be yourself, don't ask us why
'Cause if you don't, we'll make you cry (pop, pop, pop)

You can't be me, I'm a rock star
I'm rhyming on the top of a cop car
I'm a rebel and my .44 pops far
It's almost over now it's almost over now
I guess, you ain't heard that we swallow guys
It's too damn late, to apologize
When you see the mantle or when you see the skies
It's almost over now it's almost over now

You think that you don't have to ever quit
You think that you can get away with it
You think the light won't be ever lit
It's almost over now, almost over now
Somethings on your chest better get it off
There'll be no one left when we set it off
We ain't gonna take it no more
Since it's almost over now, almost over now

You can't be me, I'm a rock star
I'm rhyming on the top of a cop car
I'm a rebel and my .44 pops far
It's almost over now it's almost over now
I guess, you ain't heard that we swallow guys
It's too damn late, to apologize
When you see the mantle or when you see the skies
It's almost over now it's almost over now

No one ever really dies, do you believe that?
Well if not, for you
It's almost over now it's almost over now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to N*E*R*D's "Rock Star Poser" are aimed at those who pretend to be something they're not in order to gain fame or popularity. The song calls out these "posers" for not being original and copying the styles and attitudes of those who are truly successful. The chorus repeats the phrase "fuckin' posers" and asserts that their time is almost up. The verses are directed at those who try to emulate rock stars, with the lyrics stating that the posers can't be the real rock stars because they aren't authentic and lack the necessary skills to be successful. The lyrics also warn that there will be consequences for those who continue to fake their way to fame.


The song's assertion that posing is unacceptable speaks to the idea that originality and authenticity are necessary for success in the music industry. The song's lyrics also reference the idea that the music industry is a cutthroat business where there is a constant threat of being replaced or stigmatized as unoriginal. The use of the term "rock star" as a symbol of success is indicative of the times in which the song was written, as the late 90s and early 2000s were a time of excess and glamor in popular culture. The repetition of the phrase "it's almost over now" suggests that the song is a warning to those who are faking their way through their careers, as their time is running out and they will soon be exposed.


Overall, "Rock Star Poser" is a critique of those who try to fake their way to success and fame. The song argues that true success and authenticity cannot be faked, and those who try to emulate others are doomed to fail. The lyrics suggest that there is a sense of desperation in the music industry to constantly innovate and be original, and those who can't meet this standard are seen as "posers."


Line by Line Meaning

Fuckin' posers
Describing people who pretend to be something they are not.


It's almost over now
Implying that the posers' time of pretending is coming to an end.


You think the way you live is OK
Calling out the posers for thinking their fake lifestyle is acceptable.


You think posing will save your day
Suggesting that the posers believe their fake image will somehow rescue them.


You think we don't see that you're running
Pointing out that the posers are trying to escape their true selves.


Better call your boys cause I'm coming
Heralding the posers' impending doom.


You can't be me, I'm a rock star
Stating that the posers can never truly imitate the real thing.


I'm rhyming on the top of a cop car
Describing what it means to be a genuine rock star.


I'm a rebel and my .44 pops far
Further emphasizing the wild, rebellious nature of a true rock star.


Guess, you ain't heard that we swallow guys
Revealing another facet of the rock star lifestyle.


It's too damn late, to apologize
Declaring that the posers' time for repentance has passed.


When you see the mantle or when you see the skies
Suggesting that when the posers see the true greatness of other rock stars, they will know their own inadequacy.


You think that you don't have to ever quit
Criticizing the posers' lack of commitment.


You think that you can get away with it
Calling out the posers for thinking they can escape consequences.


You think the light won't be ever lit
Suggesting that the posers believe they can remain in darkness forever.


Somethings on your chest better get it off
Urging the posers to express their true selves before it's too late.


There'll be no one left when we set it off
Implying that the posers will soon be alone in their deceit.


We ain't gonna take it no more
Declaring that the true rock stars will no longer tolerate the posers.


You don't succeed cause you hesitate
Pointing out that the posers' lack of confidence is their downfall.


You think we're fly, but we levitate
Further emphasizing the superiority and otherworldliness of real rock stars.


Just be yourself, don't ask us why
Encouraging the posers to embrace their true selves.


Cause if you don't, we'll make you cry
Warning the posers that they will face consequences if they continue their fake persona.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@davidphiri1811

Rap and rock together was a force in the 2000’s.

@tanyadallorso8946

This is so brilliantly inspired on Nirvana 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

@andywilliams5674

@@tanyadallorso8946 how is this nirvana

@shaunaray1

@@andywilliams5674 smells like teen spirit

@ididntmeantoshootthatvietn5012

@@tanyadallorso8946 wtf is that emoji spam

@lightsout979

David, you mean 90's right?

57 More Replies...

@mynameisnoneofyourbusiness6747

I swear Pherrel Williams is one of ten coolest people to have ever walked this earth.

@rickglanville9910

Its because he swallows guys

@ir489

he really is, gets along w/ everybodyyy while still having his own style

@handle.this.you.tube.

First is Jesus Christ (not sarcasm)

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