Play for Keeps
B.o.B Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How much must I repeat?
We only play for keeps
No time outs, no free throws
No refs, no penalties
No handouts, no pit stops
No cheat codes, no sleep
But the drinks are on us
If you with it then pull up a seat

When you're roaming through the jungle
Talk is nothing, talk is cheap
Time is money, money is power
Power corrupts eventually, damn
So what are the options?
What are the choices left for me?
What other rule there's left to break
I guess my fate is a quest for me
Man I'm a dog that ain't got no leash
Man got a crib, it ain't got no lease
Man got a flow that ain't got no brain
But I still get brain, no hands no teeth
Nowadays, niggas are killas on the beat
But where I was raised all of the killas was down the street

Better do your research
Feeling like I fell out of the sky and landed feet first
My squad go hard, my squad go concrete, watch my team work
Hell yea, you can tell that the boy finna eat 'cause I took my seat first
3 course meal, full entrée, refills and I want my dessert
So why not make a toast? Tomorrow could always be worse
Now keep them bottles coming by the kiloliter
And get that Ana off your chest, try to keep a clean shirt
I'm so Grand Hustle, you ain't even in my league sir
What's up with these nerds?
They be out here, gettin' their salads tossed, gettin' their leaves turned
The game just ain't what it used to be, the quality is blurred
But a dying breed survives and a dynasty emerged
So put it in the air if you entirely concur
She call me hippie 'cause I live without any concern
Up on this green earth, I'm on them green herbs
Yeah yeah, yeah, I stay in them trees like the Keeblers
And they say that I look higher in person
As a kid I played in the yard, but now I'm astro turfing
I lived the actual version of the fantasies they utter
Made up stories of threesomes, they must just be seeing double
Run for cover, here comes trouble
My heart has grown cold so I gotta sleep with warmer covers
Polar bear pimpin', solar flare spittin'
Somebody tell 'em that this is professional stuntin', don't attempt it
Society is twisted, they tryna take us under
So when you see them folks, don't forget to warn a brother
I made it out alive but still the battle is a struggle
Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw, I conquered
They mad 'cause I murdered the game
And their name wasn't in the will
You see, most of these haters are mad rappers who just still waiting on a deal
And they jealous of my success 'cause my shoes cost more than a bill
But I'll never sit down at another table unless I'm invited to the meal
To some it's like conquering mountains, to me it's like stepping on hills
Remember the images in your mirror can be bigger than they appear
And the truth can be hard to swallow, depends on the size of the pill
And by the looks it's about the time that you had your prescription filled
My life, full length feature presentation
There are no intermissions, no time for commercial breaking
A fighter in his prime, a legend in the making
There's no debating when you let your numbers make the statement

How much must I repeat?
We only play for keeps
No time-outs, no free throws
No refs, no penalties
No handouts, no pit stops
No cheat codes, no sleep




But the drinks are on us
If you with it then pull up a seat

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to B.o.B's song Play for Keeps is a message about the care-free nature of chasing after success. B.o.B first speaks on the fact that this is a battle with no rules, no timeouts and no backing out. The chorus repeats the line “How much must I repeat? We only play for keeps” as if to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. The use of metaphors in the song such as “When you're roaming through the jungle, Talk is nothing, talk is cheap” and “Time is money, money is power, Power corrupts eventually, damn” brings a deeper meaning to the song. The verses show the complexity of the situation and the obstacles that come with it. The lyrics end on a triumphant note, speaking on the importance of persistence and believing in oneself, “A fighter in his prime, a legend in the making, There's no debating when you let your numbers make the statement.”


Line by Line Meaning

How much must I repeat?
I have to keep reminding people that we only play for keeps.


We only play for keeps
We are not here to play around, we are in it for the long haul.


No time outs, no free throws
We cannot afford to take any breaks or make any mistakes.


No refs, no penalties
There is no one to turn to if something goes wrong or if we mess up.


No handouts, no pit stops
We can't rely on anyone else to help us or give us a break.


No cheat codes, no sleep
We have to work hard and earn everything, there are no shortcuts and no rest.


But the drinks are on us
We are celebrating our success and enjoying ourselves despite the challenges.


If you with it then pull up a seat
If you are ready to work hard and commit to the journey, then join us.


When you're roaming through the jungle
Life is like a jungle, you have to be smart and strategic to survive.


Talk is nothing, talk is cheap
Words mean nothing without action and results to back them up.


Time is money, money is power
In this world, time and money are the key to achieving power.


Power corrupts eventually, damn
Even the most well-intentioned people can become corrupted by power over time.


So what are the options?
We have to weigh our options and make smart decisions to succeed.


What are the choices left for me?
There may not be many options or opportunities available to us, but we have to make the best of what we have.


What other rule there's left to break
We have to find new and innovative ways to succeed in a world that is full of challenges and obstacles.


I guess my fate is a quest for me
I am on a personal journey to find my destiny and achieve my goals.


Man I'm a dog that ain't got no leash
I am fiercely independent and refuse to be held back by anyone or anything.


Man got a crib, it ain't got no lease
I own my own home and have complete control over my own life.


Man got a flow that ain't got no brain
My talent comes naturally and effortlessly, I don't even have to think about it.


But I still get brain, no hands no teeth
Despite my success, I remain humble and appreciate the little things in life.


Nowadays, niggas are killas on the beat
The game has become more competitive and intense, with many talented artists vying for success.


But where I was raised all of the killas was down the street
Growing up in a tough neighborhood, survival was a matter of life and death.


Better do your research
Before making any decisions or taking action, it's important to thoroughly understand the situation and all relevant information.


Feeling like I fell out of the sky and landed feet first
Success can feel sudden and unexpected, but it's important to stay grounded and focused.


My squad go hard, my squad go concrete, watch my team work
My team is strong and unbreakable, and we are focused on our goals and working hard to achieve them.


Hell yea, you can tell that the boy finna eat 'cause I took my seat first
I am confident in my abilities and know that I will succeed because I am willing to work hard and take risks.


3 course meal, full entrée, refills and I want my dessert
I am not satisfied with just the basics, I want it all and will work hard to achieve my goals and live my best life.


So why not make a toast? Tomorrow could always be worse
We should appreciate and celebrate our successes because we never know what the future holds and what challenges we may face.


Now keep them bottles coming by the kiloliter
We are feeling good and celebrating our success, so let's keep the drinks flowing.


And get that Ana off your chest, try to keep a clean shirt
We should let go of our worries and enjoy the moment, but also be mindful of our behavior and appearance.


I'm so Grand Hustle, you ain't even in my league sir
My success and talent put me in a league of my own, and I am proud of my accomplishments.


What's up with these nerds?
I don't understand or respect those who are not willing to work hard and take risks to achieve their goals.


They be out here, gettin' their salads tossed, gettin' their leaves turned
Those who are not working hard and taking risks are falling behind and being left out of the game.


The game just ain't what it used to be, the quality is blurred
The music industry has changed and is no longer the same as it used to be, with many artists and genres blurring together.


But a dying breed survives and a dynasty emerged
Despite the changes in the music industry, there are still talented artists who are thriving and building successful dynasties.


So put it in the air if you entirely concur
If you agree with my message and my dedication to hard work and success, let's celebrate together.


She call me hippie 'cause I live without any concern
I am carefree and unafraid to take risks and live life on my own terms.


Up on this green earth, I'm on them green herbs
I enjoy smoking marijuana and find it to be a relaxing and enjoyable part of my life.


Yeah yeah, yeah, I stay in them trees like the Keeblers
I am laid back and carefree, and prefer to spend my time in nature rather than in the hustle and bustle of the city.


And they say that I look higher in person
People often assume that I am high or under the influence of drugs, simply because of my laid back demeanor and love of marijuana.


As a kid I played in the yard, but now I'm astro turfing
I have come a long way from my childhood and am now living a life of luxury and success.


I lived the actual version of the fantasies they utter
I have achieved my dreams and am living the life that others can only imagine or fantasize about.


Made up stories of threesomes, they must just be seeing double
People often exaggerate their stories or make things up to seem more impressive or exciting than they really are.


Run for cover, here comes trouble
I am a force to be reckoned with and those who stand in my way should be prepared for trouble.


My heart has grown cold so I gotta sleep with warmer covers
Despite my success, I have become jaded and hardened, and need to protect myself from the cold and harsh realities of the world.


Polar bear pimpin', solar flare spittin'
I am powerful and confident, like a polar bear, and my talent and energy are like a solar flare shining brightly.


Somebody tell 'em that this is professional stuntin', don't attempt it
My success and talent are not something that can be easily replicated or achieved by others, so don't try to copy my style or techniques.


Society is twisted, they tryna take us under
The world is full of challenges and obstacles that can hold us back or bring us down if we let them.


So when you see them folks, don't forget to warn a brother
We need to look out for each other and help each other succeed in a world that can be unforgiving and harsh.


I made it out alive but still the battle is a struggle
Despite my success, life is still a constant struggle and challenge to achieve and maintain my goals and dreams.


Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw, I conquered
I have achieved my dreams and conquered my goals through hard work and dedication.


They mad 'cause I murdered the game
My success has made others jealous and resentful, because they know they cannot match my level of talent and dedication.


And their name wasn't in the will
Others are upset that they were not a part of my success and did not benefit from my hard work and dedication.


You see, most of these haters are mad rappers who just still waiting on a deal
Those who are jealous of my success are often just failed rappers or musicians who have not achieved their own success.


And they jealous of my success 'cause my shoes cost more than a bill
My level of success and wealth make others envious and resentful, because they are not able to achieve the same level of material success.


But I'll never sit down at another table unless I'm invited to the meal
I will not compromise my dignity or self-respect by accepting anything less than what I deserve or have earned through hard work and dedication.


To some it's like conquering mountains, to me it's like stepping on hills
My level of success may seem impressive or challenging to some, but to me it is simply the result of hard work and determination.


Remember the images in your mirror can be bigger than they appear
The things we see and believe about ourselves may not always be accurate or reflect our true potential and value.


And the truth can be hard to swallow, depends on the size of the pill
Sometimes the truth can be difficult to accept or understand, and it depends on our ability to face reality and embrace the facts.


And by the looks it's about the time that you had your prescription filled
It's time to take control of your life and face your challenges, rather than avoiding them or pretending they don't exist.


My life, full length feature presentation
My life is like a movie, full of excitement, challenges, and drama.


There are no intermissions, no time for commercial breaking
Life is a constant journey and there are no breaks or pauses to take, we must keep pushing forward without stopping.


A fighter in his prime, a legend in the making
I am at the peak of my career and have already accomplished so much, but there is still more to come as I work towards becoming a legend.


There's no debating when you let your numbers make the statement
My level of success and achievement speak for themselves, and there is no need to argue or explain my value or talent.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOBBY RAY JR. SIMMONS, VALENTINO KHAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@XD2021

How much must I repeat? We only play for keeps

No time-outs, no free throws, no refs, no penalties
No handouts, no pit stops, no cheat codes, no sleep
But the drinks are on us, if you with it then pull up a seat
When you’re roaming through the jungle talk is nothing, talk is cheap
Time is money, money is power, power corrupts eventually, damn
So what are the options? What are the choices left for me?
What other rule is left to break? I guess my fate is a quest for me
Man I’m a dog that ain’t got no leash
Man got a crib, it ain’t got no lease
Man got a flow that ain't got no brain
But I still get brain, no hands no teeth, uh
Nowadays, niggas are killas on the beat
But where I was raised all of the killas was down the street
Better do your research
Feeling like I fell out of the sky and landed feet first
My squad go hard, my squad go concrete, watch my team work
Hell yea, you can tell that the boy finna eat cause I took my seat first
3 course meal, full entrée, refills and I want my dessert
So why not make a toast? Tomorrow could always be worse
Now keep them bottles coming by the kiloliter
And get that Ana off your chest, try to keep a clean shirt
I’m so Grand Hustle, you ain’t even in my league sir
What’s up with these nerds?
They be out here, gettin’ their salads tossed, gettin’ their leaves turned
The game just ain’t what it used to be, the quality is blurred
But a dying breed survives and a dynasty emerged
So put it in the air if you entirely concur
She call me hippie cause I live without any concern
Up on this green earth, I’m on them green herbs
Yeah yeah, yeah, I stay in them trees like the Keeblers
And they say that I look higher in person
As a kid I played in the yard, but now I’m astro turfing
I lived the actual version of the fantasies they utter
Made up stories of threesomes, they must just be seeing double
Run for cover, here comes trouble
My heart is going cold so I gotta sleep with warmer covers
Polar bear pimpin’, solar flare spittin’
Somebody tell ‘em that this is professional stuntin’, don’t attempt it
Society is twisted, they tryna take us under
So when you see them folks, don’t forget to warn a brother
I made it out alive but still the battle is a struggle
Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw, I conquered
They mad cause I murdered the game
And their name wasn’t in the will
You see, most of these haters are mad rappers who just still waiting on a deal
And they jealous of my success cause my shoes cost more than a bill
But I’ll never sit down at another table unless I’m invited to the meal
To some it’s like conquering mountains, to me it’s like stepping on hills
Remember the images in your mirror can be bigger than they appear
And the truth can be hard to swallow, depends on the size of the pill
And by the looks it’s about the time that you had your prescription filled
My life, full length feature presentation
There are no intermissions, no time for commercial breaking
A fighter in his prime, a legend in the making
There’s no debating when you let your numbers make the statement



@benjaminmanuella1519

B.o.B Did His Part,
He Said What He Had to Say
He's Not Completely Right,
But He Did What He Had to Do...
He Opened Our Eyes,
He Sparked Some of Us
I Think it's Time for Us As Fans to Do Back for Him...
He Deserves to Be Saved...
God Can Save Him....



All comments from YouTube:

@daltonking2620

I feel like this is honestly one of b.o.bs coldest and definitely his most slept on songs to this day! He was way ahead of his time!

@clarekelly6129

This is just superb. I've been listening to rap music since it's inception and this is in my top 5 tracks. It's had me, my boy and granddaughter all nodding our heads simultaneously! So talented

@bloodwolfmaniac

i like how b.o.b sets out to be different compared to other rappers today. his style, his flow, his attitude just stands out and that is what makes him so great. people, this is REAL music. wake up.

@fuze3107

No Drugs
No Twerking women
No insults thrown each second
No Gangsta shit
No cars

Just talent and smooth lyrics spitted out continuously for 3 minutes.

@notacloutchaser7407

Actually all those things were in the video..

Its just memorizing words and knowing bars… zzz

@callaway7963

B.o.B is one of the most reallest rappers out there. He speaks truth from his heart.

@paulosberhane5045

Who else still listens to B.o.B to travel back to the old days?

@jesusarturomoreno71

ofc we are bro b.o.b definitely contributed to the rap genre i miss him

@xceie

The reason this song is incredible is becuase he manages to tell a story with little swearing (though its definetly there) It also doesnt help that the Beat is freaking INSANE!!

@tylerwamcat6731

This man has my respect. He killed it the whole song. Much RESPECT Man. Like If You Agree

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