The Chase
Anderson .Paak feat. Kadhja Bonet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ah
Don't let me down and don't let go
Yeah
Yeah
I say
How we gon' get ourselves up outta this one?
Hard to get up from this like Sonny Liston
Feel like it's Ed and Laimbeer with the Pistons
Bad Boys, but no Will Smith and, only real friction
Got to the fork in the road, a split decision
I could eat or split everything, my own decisions
That would take a little more time and more wisdom
That would take a little more grind and more vision
What's the difference between the poor and a rich man?
Standin' in line, not havin' wrist bands
These lessons you learn with no tuition
Together in spirit form
Hold on and ride for your own
Together in spirit form
With your hands I can hold
In your heart there is hope
Time has no wait, what that has to imply who we are, who we see so much clearer now
It may not be in their sex but that don't take us out of view
Hold on, hold tight-hold tight
Hold on, if not for you then I
Hold on and ride for your own
Together in spirit form
In "The Chase," Anderson .Paak sings about the complexities of a relationship and the struggles to overcome the obstacles that come with it. He opens the song by confessing that he needs his partner more than they could know, and he doesn't want them to let him down or let go. However, he also acknowledges that their relationship is not perfect, and they have faced challenges along the way. .Paak talks about how they've hit their stride together many times, but they've also missed their mark once in a while.
The line "How we gon' get ourselves up outta this one?" suggests that their relationship is at a crossroads, and he's not sure if they can get out of this rut. He compares their situation to a boxing match between Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali, stating that getting up from this is not going to be easy. Anderson also references Ed and Laimbeer, two players from the Detroit Pistons basketball team, known for their tough playing style. The line "Bad boys, but no Will Smith," could reference the movie "Bad Boys" and the hit song by Will Smith in which he sings the phrase "bad boys."
Throughout the song, Anderson brings up the importance of decision-making and taking responsibility for oneself. He suggests that his partner has a choice between sticking with him and grinding through the issues, or making their own decisions and following their own path. While he acknowledges that making one's own decisions will take more time, grind, and vision, he believes that the person who persists and stays true to themselves will eventually succeed. He also believes in the power of unity and hopes that they can stay together in spirit form despite any physical distance between them.
Line by Line Meaning
I need you more than you could know
The singer is expressing their deep need for someone's support and affection.
Don't let me down and don't let go
The singer is pleading with the other person not to disappoint them or abandon them.
You know I hit it almost every time and then I miss one
The singer is acknowledging their flaws and mistakes in a relationship.
How we gon' get ourselves up outta this one?
The artist is questioning how they can overcome a challenge in their relationship.
Hard to get up from this like Sonny Liston
The artist is comparing their struggle to get up from a difficult situation to boxer Sonny Liston's famous knockdown.
Feel like it's Ed and Laimbeer with the Pistons
The singer is referencing the Detroit Pistons' aggressive style of play in the 90s, likening it to the tension in their relationship.
Bad Boys, but no Will Smith and, only real friction
The singer is alluding to the Detroit Pistons' nickname, the 'Bad Boys,' but notes that their own relationship is fraught with authentic conflict rather than just showmanship.
Got to the fork in the road, a split decision
The artist is pointing out a moment of decision or change in their relationship.
I could eat or split everything, my own decisions
The artist can either take everything on themselves or work with their partner to make decisions.
That would take a little more time and more wisdom
The artist acknowledges that making joint decisions would require more thought and maturity than acting alone.
What's the difference between the poor and a rich man?
The singer is posing a rhetorical question about socioeconomic divides and the privileges that come with wealth.
Standin' in line, not havin' wrist bands
The artist is giving an example of how being poor can prevent someone from enjoying the same experiences as those with greater wealth.
These lessons you learn with no tuition
The singer suggests that they are learning valuable lessons about their relationship without having to pay for them.
Together in spirit form
The singer is expressing a desire to be united with someone on a deeper level than just physical presence.
Hold on and ride for your own
The singer is urging someone to persevere and take control of their own life.
With your hands I can hold
The artist is acknowledging that they need someone's support to feel stable and secure.
In your heart there is hope
The artist is suggesting that hope can be found within a person's love and affection.
Time has no wait, what that has to imply who we are, who we see so much clearer now
The singer is reflecting on how time has helped them gain a better understanding of themselves and their relationship.
It may not be in their sex but that don't take us out of view
The singer is suggesting that gender doesn't define a person's value or worth in a relationship.
Hold on, hold tight-hold tight
The artist is urging someone to hold fast and not give up.
Hold on, if not for you then I
The artist is offering their support and encouragement to someone who may not have anyone else to turn to.
Hold on and ride for your own
The artist reiterates their earlier message, urging someone to take control of their own life and persevere.
Together in spirit form
The singer concludes the song by expressing their hope for a deeper, spiritual connection with someone they care about.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brandon Paak Anderson, Jairus Lemuel-Lada Mozee
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind