Apart from his solo career, Anderson formed the duo NxWorries in 2015 with record producer Knxwledge. He is frequently accompanied by the band Free Nationals, who play a variety of instruments, such as electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboards and drums, and also serve as backing vocalists. In 2021, he formed the duo Silk Sonic with fellow singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. The duo's debut single, "Leave the Door Open", became Anderson's first single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Yada Yada
Anderson .Paak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't do it
Huh, and there it is, my wit's end
They brought me out my mind
You know I'm caught beside myself
Pissed off and shit outta luck
Hey, I've thought about puttin' up
I don't have the time, oh, not today
Does somebody got some shit to say?
You know what? Fuck it
Like yada yada
Oh, you know everythang (Can't do it)
But not today (Can't do it)
But not today
My one and only, closest homie, we've carried on for days
I wanna burn another one down, but I'll go off in a blaze
Yeah, I need to put it out
But I don't have the time, oh, not today
(You know that's impossible)
Does somebody got some shit to say?
Darker days were bound to come (It's what it seems)
Through eyes of Brenda's only son (All I could see)
When the dreams become reality (It could be)
It's hard to keep a smile off the mug (Look at me)
Casually talkin' that global warmth
As if the temperature didn't blow out your perm
Our days are numbered, I'd rather count what I earned
My greatest summer was spent on festival runs in Europe
Chicken wings and sushi, I've gotten used to the perks
Narrowly escapin' the holy war on the turf
Turf, yes, lawd
Came a long way from them open mics at Lemert
Forgive me if I walk like a got a chip on my shoulder
Label tried to play me like I didn't do all the work
I found another way through the open gate and my purpose
Now I'm goin' crazy like (Right)
If they forget the dot, I'm chargin' double for the purchase
Low and behold, my little one
I've been gone for far too long
If I ever take this life for granted, you showed me just how dumb
But the longer I stay, the less I'm paid (I don't have the time)
Oh, not today
(You know that's impossible)
In Anderson .Paak's song Yada Yada, he expresses his frustration and weariness with the world around him. The song opens with the repetition of "Can't do it" emphasizing his feelings of being overwhelmed and pushed to his limits. He feels as though he has been pushed out of his own mind, caught beside himself, and unable to focus on what he needs to do. He mentions how he has thought about giving up but doesn't have the time or energy for it today.
He then shifts his focus to his close friend, mentioning how they have been able to carry on for days. But even this brings him little joy as he mentions wanting to burn another one down, but realizing that he needs to put it out. The phrase "yada yada" is repeated multiple times emphasizing how he feels like everyone already knows everything that needs to be said, and there is nothing left for him to contribute. He talks about the darker days that have seemed inevitable and how hard it is to keep a smile on his face. His greatest summer was spent touring through Europe, experiencing different cultures and food, but he also narrowly escaped being involved in a turf war.
He touches on the struggles he's faced in the music industry, being played by his label and having to find another way through the open gate to fulfill his purpose. He then concludes the song by acknowledging his daughter and how she has shown him the importance of not taking life for granted. He continues to express his frustration with being paid less, but knows that he can't dwell on it and must keep pushing on.
Overall, the song Yada Yada captures Anderson .Paak's feelings of exhaustion and frustration with the world and the music industry specifically. It's a reflection of the struggles he's faced but also highlights the importance of pushing through and not giving up.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't do it
Expressing disbelief or inability to do something
Can't do it
Repeating disbelief or inability to do something
Huh, and there it is, my wit's end
Admitting that one's patience or ability to handle a situation has reached a limit
They brought me out my mind
Referring to someone or something that has caused mental distress or turmoil
You know I'm caught beside myself
Feeling overwhelmed or confused
Pissed off and shit outta luck
Feeling angry and unfortunate
Hey, I've thought about puttin' up
Considering giving up or quitting
I don't have the time, oh, not today
Not having the energy or resources to deal with something at the moment
(You know that's impossible)
Admitting that something is not feasible or realistic
Does somebody got some shit to say?
Asking if someone has something negative or critical to express
You know what? Fuck it
Deciding to ignore or disregard something
Like yada yada
Suggesting that what someone is saying is unimportant or irrelevant
Oh, you know everythang
Sarcastically acknowledging someone's pretentiousness or know-it-all attitude
My one and only, closest homie, we've carried on for days
Addressing a long-term friend or companion
I wanna burn another one down, but I'll go off in a blaze
Expressing the desire to smoke or use drugs, but acknowledging its potential harm
Yeah, I need to put it out
Acknowledging the need to quit or stop something
But I don't have the time, oh, not today
Not having the energy or resources to quit or stop something at the moment
(You know that's impossible)
Admitting that quitting or stopping something is not feasible or realistic
Darker days were bound to come (It's what it seems)
Acknowledging that difficult or challenging times are inevitable
Through eyes of Brenda's only son (All I could see)
Referencing the perspective of a character named Brenda's son
When the dreams become reality (It could be)
Pondering the possibility of dreams coming true
It's hard to keep a smile off the mug (Look at me)
Finding it difficult to hide one's emotions or feelings
Casually talkin' that global warmth
Casually discussing climate change
As if the temperature didn't blow out your perm
Referring to the damaging effects of heat on one's hairstyle
Our days are numbered, I'd rather count what I earned
Acknowledging the inevitability of mortality and valuing one's achievements
My greatest summer was spent on festival runs in Europe
Reflecting on a memorable experience traveling and performing at festivals
Chicken wings and sushi, I've gotten used to the perks
Enjoying the luxuries that come with success
Narrowly escapin' the holy war on the turf
Surviving a dangerous or violent situation
Turf, yes, lawd
Acknowledging a reference to the streets or neighborhood
Came a long way from them open mics at Lemert
Recognizing progress or growth from a past experience
Forgive me if I walk like a got a chip on my shoulder
Apologizing in advance for feeling resentful or defensive
Label tried to play me like I didn't do all the work
Referring to a record label or industry trying to take credit for one's success
I found another way through the open gate and my purpose
Finding a new path or opportunity to accomplish one's goals
Now I'm goin' crazy like (Right)
Feeling ecstatic or enthusiastic
If they forget the dot, I'm chargin' double for the purchase
Asserting that one's work or value should not be underestimated or undervalued
Low and behold, my little one
Introducing or addressing a child
I've been gone for far too long
Acknowledging a prolonged absence
If I ever take this life for granted, you showed me just how dumb
Recognizing the importance and value of life, as inspired by the child
But the longer I stay, the less I'm paid (I don't have the time)
Noting that staying in one place or continuing a certain path may not be financially sustainable or worth the effort
Oh, not today
Not currently feeling motivated or driven to change the situation
(You know that's impossible)
Accepting that the problem or challenge may be too difficult to overcome at the moment
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Edwards Jr., Brandon Paak Anderson, Kiefer Shackelford, Matthew Louis Merisola
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind