Tints
Anderson .Paak feat. Kendrick Lamar Lyrics
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I'm tryna get some fresh air
Hey, why you got the roof off, roof off
You know it never rains here
And you ain't gotta flash when you takin' your picture
You ain't gotta drown or waste your potential
Paparazzi wanna shoot ya, shoot ya
I been in my bag anyway
Tryna throw a bag in the safe
Gig on tour, ensurin' my bass
Wavin' my lil' ones and bathing apes
Niggas dying for less out here
Do what I gotta do bruh, do bruh
Get up in my rearview mirror
I can't be ridin', ridin', round that open street
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
I can't be flying down that 110 with a bad bitch in my whip
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
And it's no good for me, it's so good for them
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
I got way too much to lose, so roll your window up real quick
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
You probably think a nigga trollin'
Or showin' out for the cameras
Fuck, I'm doin' fish-bowlin'
One hunnid thou on the passenger
Bitch, I'm Kendrick Lamar, respect me from afar
I was made in his image, you call me a god
Everybody in attendance, I'm about to perform
Everybody get offended by the shit I got on
Like, can you buy that, nigga?
Nine hunnid horse, can you drive that, nigga?
A G5, can you fly that, nigga?
I need tints so I can look at the snakes and posers
(I need tint) 'cause bomb is head is non-disclosure
(I need tint) so I can live with a peace of mind
Without niggas takin' a piece of mine
And peace be still and not do fines
So fuck a fix it ticket, you pull me over and might see
One of your bitches
Ridin', ridin', round that open street
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
I can't be flying down that 110 with a bad bitch in my whip
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
And it's no good for me, it's so good for them
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
I got way too much to lose, so roll your window up real quick
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
You know I like it presidential
Stretch it out, that's a limo
Pull it over, let me get behind ya
Where we goin' they don't need to know
Ghost ridin' in the Phantom
Niggas never see me comin'
She wanna hold me like a ransom
But the money keep me runnin'
I been in my bag anyway
Tryna throw a bag in the safe
Gig on tour, ensurin' my bass
Wavin' my lil' ones and bathing apes
Niggas cryin' for less out here
Do what I gotta do bruh, do bruh
Get up in my rearview mirror
Ridin', ridin', round that open street
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
I can't be flying down that 110 with a bad bitch in my whip
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
And it's no good for me, it's so good for them
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
I got way too much to lose, so roll your window up real quick
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
(I need my windows tinted)
I, I think I'm 'bout to black out
Can't see me when I act out tonight
I got some moves I gotta make though
I got the goons up on the payroll
They won't see me coming
They won't see me coming no, no
I, I think I'm 'bout to black out
Can't see me when I act out tonight
I got some moves I gotta make though
I got the goons up on the payroll
They won't see me coming
They won't see me coming
In Anderson .Paak's song Tints featuring Kendrick Lamar, the lyrics depict the need for privacy or detachment from the world. The artist wants to escape the world they're in by adding tint or shading to their car, in order to avoid scrutiny and judgement. They want the freedom to live their life and not have it be broadcasted to the public through paparazzi or fans. The first verse suggests that they've been cooped up too long, and need some fresh air. They ask why the roof is off, as it never rains, and explain that they don't need to flash their wealth or waste potential.
The second verse opens with the statement that others are dying for less here. This could refer to the high-stress environment they're living in, and the need to outperform peers. They've been focused on saving money and keeping it safe, while also keeping their music career going. The bridge of the song is a repetition of the need for tinted windows to protect privacy, amidst the pressure of fame. They reference that others might enjoy it, but it's not good for them, and they have too much to lose.
The final verse speaks to the desire to hide in plain sight, ghost-riding and keeping their moves a secret. They have a team of people who will help keep them hidden, and they won't see them coming. It's like they're staging a rebellion, only they're going unrecognized. The chorus repeats the same message, but also hints at the risk of too much pressure.
Line by Line Meaning
I been feelin' kinda cooped up, cooped up
I've been feeling trapped and confined
I'm tryna get some fresh air
I want to get out and experience new things
Hey, why you got the roof off, roof off
Why do you have the top of your car down?
You know it never rains here
It never rains in this area
And you ain't gotta flash when you takin' your picture
You don't have to show off when taking photos
You ain't gotta drown or waste your potential
You don't have to succumb to pressure and be someone you're not
Paparazzi wanna shoot ya, shoot ya
Photographers want to take your picture
Niggas dying for less here
People are getting killed for small reasons in this area
I been in my bag anyway
I've been focused and handling my business
Tryna throw a bag in the safe
Trying to protect and secure my money
Gig on tour, ensurin' my bass
Going on tour to make sure my music is heard
Wavin' my lil' ones and bathing apes
Spending time with my kids and wearing expensive shoes
Do what I gotta do bruh, do bruh
I'm doing what I need to do
Get up in my rearview mirror
Someone is following me
I can't be ridin', ridin', round that open street
I can't be driving around in public without privacy
I need tints (windows tinted) I need tints
I need my car windows tinted for privacy
(I need my windows tinted)
I need my car windows darkened for privacy
I can't be flying down that 110 with a bad bitch in my whip
I can't be driving fast down the highway with an attractive woman in my car
And it's no good for me, it's so good for them
It's not beneficial for me, but it's good for other people
I got way too much to lose, so roll your window up real quick
I have too much to lose, so please put your window up for my safety
You probably think a nigga trollin'
You might think I'm joking
Or showin' out for the cameras
Or trying to impress people watching
Fuck, I'm doin' fish-bowlin'
I'm feeling exposed like a fish in a bowl
One hunnid thou on the passenger
I have $100,000 in the passenger seat
Bitch, I'm Kendrick Lamar, respect me from afar
I'm Kendrick Lamar, please show me respect even from a distance
I was made in his image, you call me a god
I was created in God's image, some people refer to me as a god
Everybody in attendance, I'm about to perform
Everyone is here to see me perform
Everybody get offended by the shit I got on
People are easily offended by my clothing
Like, can you buy that, nigga?
Some people wonder if I can even afford my expensive clothes
Nine hunnid horse, can you drive that, nigga?
Can you handle driving a car with 900 horsepower?
A G5, can you fly that, nigga?
Can you pilot a G5 airplane?
I need tints so I can look at the snakes and posers
I need darkened windows to see people who might be fake or harmful
(I need tint) 'cause bomb is head is non-disclosure
I need darkened windows because my girlfriend has important secrets to keep
(I need tint) so I can live with a peace of mind
I need darkened windows for privacy and to feel safe
Without niggas takin' a piece of mine
Without people stealing from me
And peace be still and not do fines
I want to stay out of trouble and keep the peace
So fuck a fix it ticket, you pull me over and might see
I don't care about a minor traffic violation, but it might attract unwanted attention
One of your bitches
One of the women who work for law enforcement
Ridin', ridin', round that open street
Driving around in public without privacy
You know I like it presidential
I like things to be formal and official
Stretch it out, that's a limo
I prefer to stretch my limousine for extra space
Pull it over, let me get behind ya
Pull over so I can follow you
Where we goin' they don't need to know
It's not necessary to reveal our destination to anyone
Ghost ridin' in the Phantom
Driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom by myself
Niggas never see me comin'
People are always surprised by my success
She wanna hold me like a ransom
She wants to control me like I'm a hostage
But the money keep me runnin'
But my wealth allows me to keep moving forward
I, I think I'm 'bout to black out
I'm feeling overwhelmed and might lose consciousness
Can't see me when I act out tonight
No one can see me if I choose to misbehave
I got some moves I gotta make though
I have important decisions to make
I got the goons up on the payroll
I'm paying people to help me out
They won't see me coming
They won't be aware of my plans until it's too late
They won't see me coming no, no
They will be caught by surprise
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brandon Paak Anderson, David Pimentel, Jeff Gitelman, Kendrick Duckworth, Om'mas Keith, Rob Lewis, Sydney Bennett, Tayla Parx
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theresacattaneo6303
I’m a 70 year old woman ...and I heard this on Jo Whiley last night ...no idea what it’s about ...but I love it!
@glipk
Very cool.
@mariahrayne1678
you’re doing it right, Theresa. respect.
@GjerrusAllMighty
You rock Theresa
@SoulCaliburDeathCrie
Thank you Theresa, very cool!
@taylorgangchatt
The funk is within you
@lepoetress
So good to see Anderson playing drums at the Superbowl. His smile is so infectious and bright as the sun. So glad he's getting more exposure to his music.
@Frac.Razoer
That shit made me start a band, this man is one of my role-models
@Beanbtch
I refuse to believe it's already be two years since this came out 😭😭
@kurstincampbell9835
Going on 4 years since "damn" 2 shorty 😿