STAINS
BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics


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I spent like a year and a half on the Greyhound bus
On the way to see this girl
Take a flight back just to keep my job
Used to fly standby, late to the airport
Where the buddy pass? Stuck in the traffic
Whole lotta hours, real long distance
But I've grown since then
Learned to be on my own since then
Marble floor in my brand new crib
This the life that I wanted still
Got a hole and it burn my chest
Mash the chip that's still in my shoulder
Ain't a day that I still been sober
These the things that I'm tripping over (Y'all motherfuckers made 3 albums)

Still talking about the same shit
The one gay, the one selling drugs
The one that's tryna act like Lil Wayne
What the fuck is this shit man?
Y'all better turn this shit off when y'all get in the whip
When y'all enter my whip y'all better not play this shit
'Cause this can go right the fuck off

Now them boys hooked on heroin
Parents always asking like, "Where y'all get it from?"
Rehab poppin' like when Amy had the single out
Single out the reasons how I quit before I fell down
I used to pick Ameer up, talk about what's got us fucked up
We vent 'til the sun up (ay), hopefully get our funds up (ay)
And if I didn't know y'all maybe y'all would have a desk job
Ticking 'till I off myself
Used to drive around for some hours (oh, ohhh)
Used to get paid by the hour (oh, ohhh)
Now I'm just pickin up a check (oh, ohhh)
Now I'm just pickin up a sweat (yeah)
Used to drive around for some hours (oh, ohhh)
Circle round the block for some hours (oh, ohhh)
Now I'm just pickin up a check (oh, ohhh)
Now I'm just pickin up a sweat (yeah)

Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby

I spent like a year and a half feeling sorry for myself
'Cause I thought love ain't make sense anymore
If I drank, you would probably see a fifth on the floor
And a hole in the door, rest a few more
Scared of the past I've been tryna avoid from before I was born
Running from the shoes that my grandfathers wore
Tryna pick a better battle, but I saw I'd win the war
Feel the sun in my pores but I still got clouds in my head, now
Rain for a little bit, stay for a little bit
Moved along with my head, down
That's what momma taught me and I never let them fuck me
When they handed me a dead king's crown
Told 'em think of what you doing before I'm the one you're choosing
I just wanna be a human when I share myself
Hear the things I'm saying and I scare myself, goddamn

Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby




Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby

Overall Meaning

In BROCKHAMPTON's song "STAINS," the lyrics reflect on personal growth, struggles with addiction, and the desire for a better life. The opening verse describes a period of time spent traveling on a Greyhound bus to see someone special, while also dealing with the pressures of maintaining a job. The lyrics convey a sense of perseverance and determination to create a better life, symbolized by the marble floor in a brand new home. However, there is still a lingering pain inside the singer's chest, representing unresolved issues and emotional baggage.


The second verse takes a critical stance on the music industry and the repetitive themes present in popular songs. The singer expresses frustration with songs glorifying drug use, homosexuality, and attempts at emulating Lil Wayne's persona. This frustration culminates in a warning to friends not to play such music in the singer's car. The verse also touches on the topic of drug addiction, with the singer observing how easily people become hooked on heroin and questioning the source of where they obtain it.


The chorus of the song brings a change in tone and introduces a more introspective narrative. The singer reflects on a period of feeling sorry for themselves, believing that love had lost its meaning. This mindset is associated with destructive behavior, symbolized by a fifth of alcohol on the floor and a hole in the door. However, the lyrics also express a desire to break free from this cycle and overcome the struggles inherited from previous generations. The singer acknowledges the clouds in their mind but also feels the warmth of the sun, signifying a hopeful outlook on the future.


Line by Line Meaning

I spent like a year and a half on the Greyhound bus
I endured a lengthy period of time traveling on a Greyhound bus


On the way to see this girl
During the journey, I was headed to meet a particular girl


Take a flight back just to keep my job
I had to take a return flight to maintain my employment


Used to fly standby, late to the airport
In the past, I often traveled without a reservation and arrived at the airport behind schedule


Where the buddy pass? Stuck in the traffic
I couldn't access the buddy pass since I was trapped in traffic


Whole lotta hours, real long distance
It required a significant amount of time and covered a considerable distance


But I've grown since then
Nevertheless, I have matured since that time


Learned to be on my own since then
I acquired the ability to be independent after that


Marble floor in my brand new crib
Now, in my newly acquired home, there are luxurious marble floors


This the life that I wanted still
Despite everything, this is the life I desired and pursued


Got a hole and it burn my chest
There is an emotional emptiness within me that causes pain


Mash the chip that's still in my shoulder
I continue to aggravate the grudge I hold against someone


Ain't a day that I still been sober
Every day, I am not free from the influences of substances


These the things that I'm tripping over (Y'all motherfuckers made 3 albums)
These are the issues that I stumble upon and struggle with (referring to the listeners who have created three albums)


Still talking about the same shit
I'm persistently discussing the same topics


The one gay, the one selling drugs
Referring to different members of the group, one who is homosexual and another involved in drug dealing


The one that's tryna act like Lil Wayne
There is someone attempting to imitate Lil Wayne's demeanor and style


What the fuck is this shit man?
What is the meaning behind this situation or behavior?


Y'all better turn this shit off when y'all get in the whip
You all should definitely switch off this music when you enter the car


When y'all enter my whip y'all better not play this shit
You are forbidden to play this music when you are in my car


'Cause this can go right the fuck off
Otherwise, there may be a chaotic and explosive reaction


Now them boys hooked on heroin
Now these individuals are addicted to heroin


Parents always asking like, "Where y'all get it from?"
Parents consistently inquire about the source of their addiction


Rehab poppin' like when Amy had the single out
The rehabilitation center is bustling, reminiscent of when Amy Winehouse released a popular single


Single out the reasons how I quit before I fell down
Highlighting the specific reasons I managed to quit before hitting rock bottom


I used to pick Ameer up, talk about what's got us fucked up
I used to give Ameer a ride and discuss the things that were troubling us


We vent 'til the sun up (ay), hopefully get our funds up (ay)
We express our frustrations until sunrise, hoping to improve our financial situations


And if I didn't know y'all maybe y'all would have a desk job
If I hadn't met all of you, perhaps you would be working typical office jobs


Ticking 'till I off myself
Gradually counting down the moments until I no longer exist


Used to drive around for some hours (oh, ohhh)
Previously, I would aimlessly drive for several hours


Used to get paid by the hour (oh, ohhh)
I used to receive compensation based on the number of hours worked


Now I'm just pickin up a check (oh, ohhh)
Nowadays, I simply collect a paycheck


Now I'm just pickin up a sweat (yeah)
Currently, my only focus is putting in hard work and effort


Circle round the block for some hours (oh, ohhh)
Driving around the neighborhood repeatedly for a few hours


Be there any minute, I'll be on it in it baby
I'll arrive very soon, as I'm fully committed to being present


I spent like a year and a half feeling sorry for myself
For an extended period, I wallowed in self-pity


'Cause I thought love ain't make sense anymore
Due to my belief that love no longer had any logic or meaning


If I drank, you would probably see a fifth on the floor
If I were to consume alcohol, it's likely you would find a fiftth-size bottle on the ground


And a hole in the door, rest a few more
Accompanied by a puncture in the door, the aftermath of another destructive outburst


Scared of the past I've been tryna avoid from before I was born
Troubled by the history I've been attempting to evade even before my birth


Running from the shoes that my grandfathers wore
Escaping the burdens and legacies carried by my grandfathers


Tryna pick a better battle, but I saw I'd win the war
Attempting to choose a more worthwhile conflict, but realizing it's better to emerge victorious from the overall war


Feel the sun in my pores but I still got clouds in my head, now
Though I experience warmth and positivity in my surroundings, my mind is still clouded by negativity


Rain for a little bit, stay for a little bit
Enduring a brief period of sadness or difficulty, which eventually passes


Moved along with my head, down
Continuing forward with a downcast expression


That's what momma taught me and I never let them fuck me
This is the lesson my mother instilled in me, and I refuse to let others take advantage of me


When they handed me a dead king's crown
When they presented me with a symbol of power and authority that no longer holds any significance


Told 'em think of what you doing before I'm the one you're choosing
Warned them to carefully consider the consequences before deciding to involve me


I just wanna be a human when I share myself
All I desire is to express my true self without any pretense or façade


Hear the things I'm saying and I scare myself, goddamn
When I hear my own thoughts and words, I often frighten myself, expressing surprise or frustration




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ashlan Grey, Dom McLennon, Russell Boring, Matt Champion, Ameer Vann

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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