White Lies
Armand Hammer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or was it at the mall over a fashionable coat?
Speculations abound
Was he really broke?
Word around town he getting pounds of that okey doke
And you know how that go*
I just heard that though, I don't really know
Interrogation room; Utz chips; cherry coke*
That's that New Negro
W.E.B. Du Bois in the peacoat
H.B.C.U. keynote speaker*
Rewrote history only to find the future bleaker
Black Orpheus
My girl eloped with the reaper*
Throw the next bitch down the well
If she floats, that's a keeper
In the lab white smoke bubble out the beaker
Hunchback jump when I yell "Eureka!"
Love don't cost a thing
But I'm looking for something cheaper
No more space to hide
Tell me who gon' change my mind
I felt all wrong inside
How to make it right?
Someone told a lie
No more space to hide
Tell me who gon' change my mind
No more space to hide
To the corner sat a wide eyed younging in the rear pew*
Rev. kept his timepiece flooded
Many mansions' what I'm heir to
Kingdom kid with an apocalyptic worldview*
Fire from the sky into oceans, swirling like whirlpools
Mom talking about "Don't have me look for you behind the gates
Can we all just die now? I shouldn't have to wait."
Maybe when I'm older I'll have half her faith
Give or take
Tell them rich niggas pass the plate
Trap house of the lord where some would traffic weight
Hid under covers of the cloth
Statutory rape
Touch that old rugged cross
Sung his highest praise
True we all fall short, most disguise their pain
So you can talk that talk, make it seem less staged
Snatched down off that horse, how you see no shame?
What he call divine law made me look both ways
Twisted messages relayed
I didn't come back the same
In "White Lies," Armand Hammer uses intricate wordplay and vivid imagery to explore themes of deception, faith, and the struggle for authenticity in a world of superficiality. The opening lines refer to rumors about someone who may have committed a crime for material gain. Throughout the song, the singer questions what is true and what is false, conveying a sense of disillusionment with the world around them. The line "love don't cost a thing but I'm looking for something cheaper" suggests a desire for something more meaningful and less superficial than material possessions.
The song also touches on themes of religion and faith. The references to Rev. and the old rugged cross suggest a Christian context, and the line "kingdom kid with an apocalyptic worldview" references a belief in the end of the world. However, the singer's skepticism and frustration with the hypocrisy of those who claim to have faith is also evident. The line "trap house of the lord where some would traffic weight" juxtaposes the spiritual and the material, suggesting a critique of religious institutions that have become corrupted by greed.
The line "I felt all wrong inside, how to make it right? Someone told a lie" suggests a search for personal integrity and a desire to uncover the truth. The song as a whole leaves the meaning and truth up for interpretation, but the complex language and vivid imagery make it clear that there is much to unpack.
Line by Line Meaning
Some said he did it all for a fat gold rope
Rumors abound that he only did it for the money and fame.
Or was it at the mall over a fashionable coat?
Or maybe it was for a stylish piece of clothing he couldn't resist.
Speculations abound
There are many theories, but no one knows the truth.
Was he really broke?
Did he actually have financial problems, like some believe?
Word around town he getting pounds of that okey doke
People say he's dealing drugs and making a lot of money from it.
And you know how that go*
You know how these things tend to happen.
I just heard that though, I don't really know
I'm not sure if any of these rumors are true.
Interrogation room; Utz chips; cherry coke*
I'm being questioned by the police, snacking on chips and drinking soda.
Mentholated smoke
I'm smoking a cigarette that has a menthol flavor.
That's that New Negro
That's what people call the modern, progressive black person.
W.E.B. Du Bois in the peacoat
W.E.B. Du Bois was a famous black activist who wore a peacoat.
H.B.C.U. keynote speaker*
I gave the keynote address at a historical black college or university.
Rewrote history only to find the future bleaker
I tried to change history, but it only made things worse for the future.
Black Orpheus
A reference to the Greek myth of Orpheus, but this time with a black protagonist.
My girl eloped with the reaper*
My girlfriend died, and I'm mourning her loss.
Throw the next bitch down the well
I'm so angry and bitter that I want to hurt someone else.
If she floats, that's a keeper
If she survives, then I'll decide to keep her alive or not.
In the lab white smoke bubble out the beaker
I'm conducting experiments in a lab, and there's smoke coming out of my equipment.
Hunchback jump when I yell "Eureka!"
I'm excited about a discovery I made, and the hunchback is surprised by my sudden outburst.
Love don't cost a thing
Love is free, but...
But I'm looking for something cheaper
...I'm still trying to save money.
No more space to hide
I can't keep avoiding the truth.
Tell me who gon' change my mind
I need someone else to help me see things differently.
I felt all wrong inside
I'm feeling overwhelmed with emotions and confusion.
How to make it right?
I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to fix the situation.
Someone told a lie
I've been deceived by someone.
To the corner sat a wide eyed younging in the rear pew*
There's a young and innocent kid sitting in the back of the church, watching everything.
Rev. kept his timepiece flooded
The pastor or reverend is flaunting his wealth by wearing a lot of expensive watches.
Many mansions' what I'm heir to
Jesus promised many mansions in heaven, and I believe I'll inherit them.
Kingdom kid with an apocalyptic worldview*
I'm a religious person who thinks that the world is about to end.
Fire from the sky into oceans, swirling like whirlpools
I'm envisioning the end of the world with fires and flooding.
Mom talking about "Don't have me look for you behind the gates
My mom is warning me about the possibility of going to hell.
Can we all just die now? I shouldn't have to wait."
I'm in a lot of pain and want the suffering to end.
Maybe when I'm older I'll have half her faith
I hope that I'll be as faithful and trusting as my mom someday.
Give or take
More or less.
Tell them rich niggas pass the plate
Tell the wealthy people to donate more money.
Trap house of the lord where some would traffic weight
The church has become a place for illegal activities, like drug dealing.
Hid under covers of the cloth
People are hiding their bad behavior under the guise of religious clothing.
Statutory rape
Sexual assault against someone who is unable to give legal consent.
Touch that old rugged cross
Hold onto your faith even when things are tough.
Sung his highest praise
Worshipped God with all his heart.
True we all fall short, most disguise their pain
We all have flaws, but many of us hide our true feelings and emotions.
So you can talk that talk, make it seem less staged
People might pretend to be nice, but I know they're faking it.
Snatched down off that horse, how you see no shame?
Even when someone exposes your sins, how can you not feel bad?
What he call divine law made me look both ways
God's law has caused me to question my own morals and behavior.
Twisted messages relayed
People are spreading rumors or lies about me.
I didn't come back the same
I've changed from my experiences and don't want to go back to how I was before.
Contributed by Connor H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.