I Smoked Away My Brain
A$AP Rocky Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How did you know?
It's what I've always wanted
Could never have too many of these
Will you quit kicking me under the table?
I'm trying, will somebody make her (I just live, I live day by day)
Shut up about it, can we settle down please? (Fighting demons)

I smoked away my brain, I think I'm going dumb
Cocaine up on my gums, I think they're going numb
I'm having stomach pains, now I'm throwing up
'Cause I'm a microphone fiend, give me the bass
Give me the beat, and let me lean, tap the vein, let it stream
Feel the pain, young Martin Luther King, with a dream
That one day me and my team, we can make it with this rapping
Now we swaggin', making money in Manhattan, trick, what's happening?
They try to intellect with indirection just to test you
A rebel 'til my death, it's in my flesh, it's in my vessels
Fuck the clique you with, I'm finna fuck the bitch you next to
Fuck a metrosexual, suck a dick, I'm disrespectful
You know the kid get it, get-get sick spit
Clip spit quick split quick hit kids women
Oh, that's your girl, huh? Well, I just hit it
It's A$AP nigga, live with it, swag

Demons posted all around me, I can't beat 'em all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts
These evil thoughts, they start to drown me, Lord, don't leave me all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts
Demons posted all around me, I can't beat 'em all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts
These evil thoughts, they start to drown me, Lord, don't leave me all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts

Aw, yeah, aw, yeah (it's what, I think) (bite tongue, deep breaths)
(Let the beat chill)
Aw, yeah, aw, yeah (it's what, I think) (bite tongue, deep breaths)
(Let the beat chill)
Aw, yeah, aw, yeah (it's what, I think) (bite tongue, deep breaths)
(Let the beat chill)
Aw, yeah, aw, yeah (it's what, I think) (bite tongue, deep breaths)
(Hipster by heart, but I can tell you how the streets feel)

Demons posted all around me, I can't beat 'em all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts
These evil thoughts, they start to drown me, Lord, don't leave me all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts
Demons posted all around me, I can't beat 'em all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts




These evil thoughts, they start to drown me, Lord, don't leave me all alone
Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to A$AP Rocky's "I Smoked Away My Brain" delve into themes of drug use, inner demons, and the struggle to find peace and stability. The song opens with the singer expressing a desire to have what they've always wanted, but feeling overwhelmed and kicked down by external forces. They ask for someone to intervene and make things calm down. This sets the stage for the self-destructive behavior that follows.


The chorus reveals that the singer has been using drugs, specifically smoking marijuana and snorting cocaine. They describe feeling numb and experiencing physical discomfort as a result. The lyrics reflect a destructive pattern wherein the singer turns to substance abuse as an escape from their troubled thoughts and emotions. They refer to themselves as a "microphone fiend," indicating their obsession with music and the high they feel when performing. They draw a parallel between their aspirations as an artist and the dream of making it big like Martin Luther King Jr. The line "now we swaggin', making money in Manhattan" suggests a measure of success in their music career.


The second verse takes a darker turn, with the singer expressing a rebellious and disrespectful attitude towards others. They boast about their sexual conquests, highlighting their promiscuity and lack of respect for others' relationships. The lyrics hint at a chaotic lifestyle and a disregard for societal norms and expectations. The repetition of the phrase "it's A$AP nigga, live with it, swag" reinforces their rebellion and self-confidence.


The chorus is repeated, revealing the ongoing struggle with inner demons. The singer acknowledges the presence of these demons and their inability to conquer them alone. They admit that thoughts of their past actions and the weight of their own "evil thoughts" are drowning them. They express a plea for divine intervention and support, asking the Lord not to leave them alone in their struggles.


Overall, "I Smoked Away My Brain" delves into the darker side of A$AP Rocky's life, exploring themes of drug abuse, inner turmoil, and the constant battle with personal demons.


Line by Line Meaning

How did you know?
How did you have insight into my inner thoughts and emotions?


It's what I've always wanted
It is my deepest desire and aspiration


Could never have too many of these
There is no such thing as having too many of these experiences or possessions


Will you quit kicking me under the table?
Can you please stop subtly hurting and bothering me in this situation?


I'm trying, will somebody make her (I just live, I live day by day)
I am attempting to escape this stressful situation, can someone please intervene? My philosophy is to live in the present and take things one day at a time


Shut up about it, can we settle down please? (Fighting demons)
Stop constantly bringing up and discussing this issue, can we please find a resolution? I am struggling and battling my inner demons


I smoked away my brain, I think I'm going dumb
I have damaged my brain through excessive smoking, and I feel like I am losing my intelligence and mental sharpness


Cocaine up on my gums, I think they're going numb
I have cocaine in contact with my gums, and I can sense them losing sensation


I'm having stomach pains, now I'm throwing up
I am experiencing discomfort and pain in my stomach, leading to vomiting


'Cause I'm a microphone fiend, give me the bass
Because I have a strong passion for music and performing, provide me with the bass sound


Give me the beat, and let me lean, tap the vein, let it stream
Give me the rhythm and allow me to surrender to it, as if injecting drugs directly into my veins, let the music flow through me


Feel the pain, young Martin Luther King, with a dream
Experience the emotional and mental anguish I go through, similar to a young Martin Luther King Jr. who had a vision for a better future


That one day me and my team, we can make it with this rapping
I have the hope and ambition that eventually, myself and the people I work with will achieve success in the music industry through our rapping


Now we swaggin', making money in Manhattan, trick, what's happening?
We are now confidently and stylishly progressing, earning wealth and success in Manhattan. Hey, what's the latest news or situation?


They try to intellect with indirection just to test you
People attempt to challenge your intelligence and judgement subtly, using indirect methods


A rebel 'til my death, it's in my flesh, it's in my vessels
I will continue to be resistant and defy societal norms and expectations until the day I die. It is ingrained in my body and runs through my veins


Fuck the clique you with, I'm finna fuck the bitch you next to
I have no respect for the group of people you associate with, and I am planning to have a sexual encounter with the person you are currently close to


Fuck a metrosexual, suck a dick, I'm disrespectful
I have no interest in someone who is overly concerned with their appearance and grooming. To express my disrespect, I suggest performing a sexual act on an individual


You know the kid get it, get-get sick spit
You are aware of my skills and abilities, I am capable of delivering impressive and powerful rap verses


Clip spit quick split quick hit kids women
I rapidly and skillfully deliver my lyrics, captivating and entertaining both young individuals and women


Oh, that's your girl, huh? Well, I just hit it
Oh, so that person is your girlfriend, huh? Well, I have recently engaged in a sexual encounter with her


It's A$AP nigga, live with it, swag
I am A$AP, and you have to accept and deal with it. This is my style and persona


Demons posted all around me, I can't beat 'em all alone
I am surrounded by my inner demons, and I am unable to overcome them by myself


Thinking 'bout you, thinking 'bout you, add it to your thoughts
I am constantly consumed by thoughts of you, and I want you to also have these thoughts in your mind


These evil thoughts, they start to drown me, Lord, don't leave me all alone
These malevolent thoughts overwhelm me and make it difficult to stay afloat mentally. I pray to God not to abandon me in this state of loneliness


Aw, yeah, aw, yeah (it's what, I think) (bite tongue, deep breaths)
Expressing affirmation and agreement, this is what I believe or perceive. It is necessary to hold back from saying certain things and take deep breaths to calm oneself


(Let the beat chill)
Allow the music to relax and soothe


Hipster by heart, but I can tell you how the streets feel
Although I have a hipster mindset and lifestyle, I have firsthand knowledge and understanding of the experiences and realities of the streets




Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Rakim Mayers, Michael Volpe, Imogen Heap, Rick Nowles, Billy Steinberg, Claire D'uabaldo

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@duhmarionn

Imagine how different this would hit if you heard this in 2011-12 ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ

@fatimadoreh7387

I did . well the I'm God instrumental. Changed my life.

@matttheking1655

You must be new, it did came out around 2011-12. clams Casino

@tbj4855

@@matttheking1655heโ€™s talking about the songs being mashed together lol this didnโ€™t come out back then

@amourlashai

โ€ผ๏ธโ€ผ๏ธโ€ผ๏ธ

@debesciakd3352

โ€‹@@tbj4855it came out 3 years later lmao

43 More Replies...

@gpics900

He finally released the mash up. Now maybe he can finally release an album soon๐Ÿ˜ญ

@cactusjack629

Keep dreaming babe๐Ÿ˜‘

@eddie665

โ€‹@@jjuantrejjobeen in the works for the last 4 years ๐Ÿ’€

@Inexact_nugget2

The album is coming out soon yall!

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