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WHAT'S GOOD
Tyler the Creator Lyrics


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Turn my lights on
How the fuck you quiet with the mic on?
I don't get anxiety, you Sam Bowie-ass niggas
I just get my Mike on
Y'all said I wouldn't go nowhere, took the detour
When you see the someone in the crack right by the sea shore?
When you see them brand new le Fleurs on the floor?
If the cop says my name, bitch, I'm Igor

Yeah, ayo
Yeah, yeah
Let's go, let's go, I ain't playin' around
Red nose, red nose, all you niggas is clowns
Niggas turning it up, well, shit, I'm tearing it down
Hard to believe in God when there ain't no mirrors around
What's up?

Uh-huh, ayo
Uh-huh
Yeah, yo

Bitch, running 'til the rims fall
Had them niggas and the cops looking jigsaw
I done fucked around and turned into the big dog
Better get gone, get caught? Bitch, I think not
Yeah, new suit, new boots, same niggas like what?
Lukewarm-ass niggas always wanna talk
I'm hot, I'm heat to the core like Earth
Don't touch, don't go, niggas might get bucked

Yo, ayo
Uh, yeah
Let's go, let's go, I ain't playin' around
Red nose, red nose, all you niggas is clowns
Niggas turning it up, well, shit, I'm tearing it down
Hard to believe in God when there ain't no mirrors around
What's up?

Whoop, uh huh
Yeah, bitch
Yeah

I see the light
Um, I see the light
I see the light
(Uh, ah!) I see the light

Dracula, Dracula, Dracula
Suck me first, I might get back at ya (I see the light)
Is that shit cool? Change the aperture
Hahahahaha I can't laugh at ya (I see the light)
This the shit that make you nervous
'Bout to go buck wild, nigga Steve Irwin (I see the light)
Sick of that Claritin, I'm on my third one
Niggas talkin' reckless, I never heard 'em (I see the light)

I see the light
I see the light
I see the light (don't touch, though, niggas might get buck, don't touch, though)
I see the light (don't touch, though, niggas might get buck, don't touch, though)
I see the light

That car crash couldn't take me (woo, ha)
Green hair angels all around me (uh)
No answer why, no tears to cry, bitch, I'm alive (I see the)
That wasn't my endpoint, like v-neck
I ain't have nobody to cheat on, I cheat death
New album, no repeat, I reset
Everything I deliver swingin' like new jack
Two of 'em, I total, Kim and Pam
Me and Death, universe plays middle man
Quit nap, kick back like horse, eyes shut
Loud sound, no stretch
Motherfuckers really thought I died
Hoping they could take a spot
Nigga not knowing that I'm one to one
And they some Helen Keller-ass niggas
And I got my eyes open now I see the
Light

I see the light
(Woo)
I see the light
I see the light
I see the light
I don't know what's harder, letting go or just being okay with it

Overall Meaning

The song ‘What’s Good’ by Tyler the Creator conveys a message of confidence and strength. The song begins with Tyler questioning how someone can be quiet while holding a microphone. He goes on to express his self-assuredness by comparing himself to Sam Bowie, who was a professional American basketball player. Tyler then addresses all the skeptics who doubted his success by saying that he knows he'll make it big - he just chose to take a different route.


Tyler continues to proclaim his dominance by dismissively referring to people wearing his Le Fleurs (his own line of premium sneakers). He then declares the name “Igor” in response to a cop calling out to him. The chorus of the song is essentially Tyler taunting his competition by calling them all clowns and promising to tear them down. He then addresses some larger themes like God and life by stating how it's difficult to believe in something without any physical evidence (mirrors), but then ultimately asks the listener what's good.


The third verse finds Tyler paying homage to horror villain Jigsaw and his ability to puzzle everyone into submission. He confidently asserts himself to be the person who can take Jigsaw down. In the second half of the verse, Tyler brags about how he can't be taken down while also acknowledging that he's taken inspiration from life’s biggest risks just to be where he is today. Tyler then cleverly references his popular album ‘Flower Boy’ and how fans won't be getting a repeat of that. The final verse of the song finds Tyler reflecting on his past, specifically a car accident where he almost died. He concludes the song by pondering upon the hardships of letting go versus just being content with situations.


Line by Line Meaning

Turn my lights on
Get ready, focus, and prepare to perform


How the fuck you quiet with the mic on?
Don't be afraid to speak up and be heard, especially when you have a platform


I don't get anxiety, you Sam Bowie-ass niggas
I don't get nervous or intimidated by other artists who aren't on my level (Sam Bowie was a basketball player who was drafted before Michael Jordan)


I just get my Mike on
I channel the energy of Michael Jordan, who was known for his intense focus and drive


Y'all said I wouldn't go nowhere, took the detour
My success has come despite others doubting me and my unconventional path


When you see the someone in the crack right by the sea shore?
I'm at a place where I can afford extravagant things like a house by the sea


When you see them brand new le Fleurs on the floor?
I'm successful enough to have my own Converse shoe (le Fluer) line


If the cop says my name, bitch, I'm Igor
I have transformed into my new alter-ego Igor and won't go back to my old ways of Tyler the Creator, even if the police try to call me by that name


Red nose, red nose, all you niggas is clowns
I'm seeing through people's facades and can tell when they're putting on an act


Niggas turning it up, well, shit, I'm tearing it down
Others may try to make noise, but I'm the one making a lasting impact


Hard to believe in God when there ain't no mirrors around
It's hard to have faith in something you can't see or haven't experienced firsthand


Bitch, running 'til the rims fall
I'm relentlessly pushing forward until there's nothing left to give


Had them niggas and the cops looking jigsaw
I've been able to stay one step ahead of both my enemies and the law, similar to the villain in the Saw movies


I done fucked around and turned into the big dog
I've risen to the top and become a major player in the music industry


Better get gone, get caught? Bitch, I think not
I'm too smart and too good to get caught up in any trouble


Lukewarm-ass niggas always wanna talk
People who lack real passion or ambition are always trying to take credit for the work of others


I'm heat to the core like Earth
I'm the driving force behind everything going on right now, like the Earth's core


Don't touch, don't go, niggas might get bucked
I'm in such a powerful position that anyone who messes with me is likely to get hurt


That car crash couldn't take me (woo, ha)/Green hair angels all around me (uh)/No answer why, no tears to cry, bitch, I'm alive
I had a scary experience where I could've died, but I was saved by a group of helpful strangers ('green hair angels')


That wasn't my endpoint, like v-neck
I'm not done yet and still have a lot more to accomplish


I ain't have nobody to cheat on, I cheat death
I'm succeeding by my own merit, rather than relying on anything or anyone else


New album, no repeat, I reset
My new album represents a fresh start and a new direction, without repeating old patterns or sounds


Everything I deliver swingin' like new jack
All of my new music is on par with the latest, most cutting-edge styles


Two of 'em, I total, Kim and Pam/Me and Death, universe plays middle man
I've overcome a lot of obstacles and setbacks, including the deaths of two people close to me


Quit nap, kick back like horse, eyes shut/Loud sound, no stretch
I'm able to relax and unwind even while my music is blasting loudly around me


Motherfuckers really thought I died/Hoping they could take a spot/Nigga not knowing that I'm one to one
Some people have tried to write me off and replace me, but they don't realize that I'm completely unique and irreplaceable


And they some Helen Keller-ass niggas
People who can't see my value or potential are like someone who is blind and deaf (Helen Keller)


And I got my eyes open now I see the light
I've come to understand everything about those around me, and see the path forward clearly


Dracula, Dracula, Dracula/Suck me first, I might get back at ya
I'm tired of people trying to take advantage of me or bring me down, and I might retaliate


Is that shit cool? Change the aperture/Hahahahaha I can't laugh at ya
I'm not impressed with people who think they're cool or fashionable, and I find their antics laughable


This the shit that make you nervous/'Bout to go buck wild, nigga Steve Irwin
The intense pressure of fame can drive people mad, and I fear that I might succumb to that craze (referencing Steve Irwin's wild personality)


Sick of that Claritin, I'm on my third one/Niggas talkin' reckless, I never heard 'em
I'm tired of dealing with my allergies (Claritin), and people's negative talk doesn't bother me anymore


I don't know what's harder, letting go or just being okay with it
It's tough to determine what's harder; moving on from something you no longer love or accepting something that wasn't meant to be




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tyler Okonma

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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