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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, 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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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@kevinmusic004

[Verse 1]
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

[Pre-Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
But stay woke
Niggas creepin'
They gon' find you
Gon' catch you sleepin', ooh
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now don't you close your eyes

[Verse 2]
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

[Pre-Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
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 now, baby)
Ooh, now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now, don't you close your eyes
But stay woke (Ooh)
Niggas creepin' (They gon' find you)
They gon' find you
Gon' catch you sleepin', ooh (Gon' catch you, gon' catch you)
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now, don't you close your eyes

[Outro]
How'd it get so scandalous?
Oh, how'd it get so scandalous?
Oh, oh, baby you, how'd it get
How'd it get so scandalous?
How'd it get so scandalous?
But stay woke
But stay woke



All comments from YouTube:

@Acin101

This album is gonna be something special.

@marksasha137

Acin101 hell yeah batman

@steelparadox

Mark Sasha come sit on my lap batman. hell yeah.

@BigWalt5445

Acin101 he just might get a Grammy for this.

@krishtrinity

UnderR8tdGr8ness Grammy awards are shit

@Alejandro616

KrishKrusher Sure why not

19 More Replies...

@capnkaba

Pedro is a madlad and we must make sure he does not give up.

@mohammedahmed7431

Who's pedro

@angelsayshi8061

@@mohammedahmed7431 He’s a living legend

@pholosombethe1098

I came back to this song yesterday and the references to Pedro are decreasing 😭 thanks for keeping him alive 🥹

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