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Redbone
Childish Gambino Lyrics


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Daylight
I wake up feeling like you won't play right
I used to know, but now that shit don't feel right
It made me put away my pride
So long
You made a nigga wait for some, so long
You make it hard for boy like that to go on
I'm wishing I could make this mine, oh

If you want it, yeah
You can have it, oh, oh, oh
If you need it, ooh
We can make it, oh
If you want it
You can have it

But stay woke
Niggas creepin'
They gon' find you
Gon' catch you sleepin' (oh)
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now don't you close your eyes

Too late
You wanna make it right, but now it's too late
My peanut butter chocolate cake with Kool-Aid
I'm trying not to waste my time

If you want it, oh
You can have it (you can have it)
If you need it (you better believe in something)
We can make it, oh
If you want it
You can have it, ah!

But stay woke (stay woke)
Niggas creepin' (they be creepin')
They gon' find you (they gon' find you)
Gon' catch you sleepin' (gon' catch you sleepin', put your hands up on me)
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now don't you close your eyes

But stay woke (ooh, ah)
Niggas creepin'
They gon' find you (they gon' find you)
Gon' catch you sleepin' (gon' catch you, gon' catch you, ooh)
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now don't you close your eyes

How'd it get so scandalous?
Oh, how'd it get so scandalous?
Oh, oh, how'd it get, how'd it get
How'd it get so scandalous?
How'd it get so scandalous?
How'd it get so scandalous?
But stay woke
But stay woke

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Redbone" by Childish Gambino appear to be discussing a relationship that has gone awry. The singer wakes up feeling as though the other person in the relationship won't play fair. He used to feel differently about them, but now something changed. This realization forced him to put away his pride and hold onto hope that everything will even out. However, it becomes clear that the relationship is now broken beyond repair, and there is nothing that can be done to make things right. The lyrics go back and forth with the chorus, reminding the listener to stay alert and be aware of those who may be trying to deceive them.


The theme of the song seems to center around trust and the potential loss of it. In relationships, trust is everything, and when it's lost, things tend to fall apart. The lyrics warn listeners to be careful about who they let into their lives because there are people out there who will try to take advantage. The chorus is a reminder to stay alert and not let your guard down.


Line by Line Meaning

Daylight
The beginning of a new day


I wake up feeling like you won't play right
I wake up feeling like you're going to intentionally hurt me


I used to know, but now that shit don't feel right
I used to understand you, but now something feels off


It made me put away my pride
It made me humble myself and put aside my ego


So long
It's been a long time


You made a nigga wait for some, so long
You made me wait a long time for something from you


You make it hard for boy like that to go on
You make it difficult for a person like me to keep going


I'm wishing I could make this mine, oh
I desire to make this mine


If you want it, yeah
If you want this, that's okay


You can have it, oh, oh, oh
You can have what you want


If you need it, ooh
If you require this


We can make it, oh
We can achieve it together


You can have it
You may possess this


But stay woke
Be aware and alert


Niggas creepin'
People are lurking and being dishonest


They gon' find you
They will discover you


Gon' catch you sleepin' (oh)
They'll find you when you least expect it


Now stay woke
Stay vigilant


Now don't you close your eyes
Remain alert and don't fall asleep on the situation


Too late
It's too far progressed now


You wanna make it right, but now it's too late
You want to correct the wrongs, but now it's too far gone


My peanut butter chocolate cake with Kool-Aid
A personal preference or favorite thing


I'm trying not to waste my time
I'm making an effort to not spend time on things that aren't worthwhile


If you need it (you better believe in something)
If this is essential to you (you must have faith in something)


But stay woke (stay woke)
Remain vigilant and watchful


They be creepin'
They are sneaking around


They gon' find you (they gon' find you)
They will ultimately discover you


Now don't you close your eyes
Stay alert and don't become complacent


How'd it get so scandalous? (Oh)
How did everything get so chaotic and disgraceful?


But stay woke
Continue to be mindful




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bootsy Collins, Donald McKinley Glover II, Gary Cooper, George S. Clinton Jr., Ludwig Emil Tomas Goransson, William Earl Collins

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@geny.marie.

My dad use to have this whole rap playlist and he played dis. And he'd always look at me and say" my peanut butter chocolate cake with kool aid" and it was the best feeling ever. I love this song:)

@foodstie7525

@@daisydiaz932 same bro my dad went to get milk 😔 nah but fr he always traveling

@adim8668

OMG LITERALLY SAMEE

@swoup79

Dis

@swoup79

Cute story btw

@-fr0otlo0p56

Instead of my dad my brother would always play this song and many others and just sing along, sometimes look at me,smile and laugh, and pat my head then continue to drive while I'll just smile be happy with him, these were moments I would always appreciate because my brother wasnt always uh nice,calm and gentle with me. In the end I grew up listening to these kinds of song and shit I still love this song :]

134 More Replies...

@josueasencio2225

Dude, this song never fails to give me good vibes.

@jacoboofly164

556 and 0 comments? I AINT fixing this like how people fix it.

@lxiong1180

666 likes. Keep it real.

@couththememer

It feels so nostalgic for me. Like going shopping with my friends type of vibe.

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