In addition, the ending sample of “TEAM” is the same sample that starts “HEAT” (the introductory track of “SATURATION I“), further adding to the circular nature of the “SATURATION“ trilogy.
The first “SATURATION“ album contains a similar track to “TEAM” called “WASTE.” Both are ballads about being in love with someone who may not completely love the narrator back.
On “WASTE,” the narrator fears that the person he loves may fall in love with another man. On “TEAM,” the roles seem to be reversed, with the narrator being the one Evanie is in love with.
bearface tweeted the following about the track:
“the falsetto part on team before the second half was lowkey inspired by tht part in teenage dirtbag by wheatus when he sing like a girl . ... .“
TEAM
BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you lie to him since you were seventeen?
How's he holding up? Evanie
Do you cling to him like you would on to me?
Bet he needs you more than I, Evanie
Did you hide your neck to save him from his sleep?
I know how that feels, Evanie
Every chance you take you make me want to flee
You should move on
I swear you'll be fine
Whenever you want
I'll be your ride
And when you're alone
And his love is gone
Maybe you'll see that
Your company was the worst
Thing for him, your sin
Little old me, I thought my world was progressive
'Cause my president was black, twenty-five lighters on the dresser
I had guilt trip on my back and a bulletproof vest
Inside my Uncle John's Toyota was a walking Crayola
(Gimme that mic, nigga)
I got a hard time, I gotta watch myself
The way I move through a room full of suits
Ain't no, ain't no Constitution, I hate uniforms
I hate handcuffs, I can't stand up (shut up, nigga)
They throw me in the crowd and tell me "boy, I'd lose that smile"
But see I got it from my dad and that's the reason why we had
I raise my black fist, I got big lips
I'm strong as Samson, they cut my fuckin' locks
I lose my fuckin' strength, fuck
I'm running out of zips
My life been feelin' tense, I won't be on the fence
I put my phone on airplane mode 'cause I'm on autopilot
I need a lot of patience, I need a lot of silence
I hope this holy water burn me 'cause I ain't worth this life
I ain't worth the light of day, but for some I light the way
Nude along the banister, kitchen smell of lavender
Swimming in my Wranglers, I am another caliber
Ooh, yeah, la la la la
Soon, soon
Yeah, no, no, no, no, no, no
Soon, no, no, no, no, no, no
The lyrics to BROCKHAMPTON's song TEAM are a complex exploration of relationships, guilt, and self-worth. The first verse appears to be directed at a former lover, Evanie, questioning whether or not she lied to her current partner about her past relationship with the singer. It's unclear whether the singer wants Evanie back or is trying to move on, but they express their frustration with the situation and the hold that Evanie still seems to have over them. The chorus then acknowledges that maybe Evanie needs to move on and that the singer is willing to help in any way they can, but also subtly suggests that Evanie's presence in her current partner's life might not be healthy.
The second verse is a departure from the first and is instead a social commentary on the singer's experiences as a Black person in America. The singer reflects on feeling isolated and guilty for their own success, all while facing discrimination and prejudice. The true extent of the singer's inner turmoil is revealed as they contemplate their own self-worth, wishing to be grounded in their own identity and beliefs rather than conforming to societal norms.
Overall, the song TEAM is a complex and emotional exploration of relationships, identity, and the ways in which we interact with society at large.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you lie to him since you were seventeen?
Have you been dishonest with him since you were young and naive?
How's he holding up? Evanie
How is he coping with the pain of your presence?
Do you cling to him like you would on to me?
Do you hold on to him as tightly as you would to me?
Bet he needs you more than I, Evanie
I'm sure he relies on your support more than I would.
Did you hide your neck to save him from his sleep?
Did you cover your neck to save him from seeing your marks in his sleep?
Every chance you take you make me want to flee, Can't you see?
Every time you take a risk, it makes me want to run away. Don't you see that?
You should move on, I swear you'll be fine
You should let go of this unhealthy relationship. I promise you'll feel better.
Whenever you want, I'll be your ride
Whenever you need support or an escape, I'll be there for you.
And when you're alone, And his love is gone
And when you've lost the love you once had with him,
Maybe you'll see that, Your company was the worst, Thing for him, your sin
Maybe you'll realize that being with you was causing more harm than good for him.
Little old me, I thought my world was progressive
I, being a small entity in this world, thought my world was making progress.
'Cause my president was black, twenty-five lighters on the dresser
Because the president of my country was a black man and I had some extra cash laying around.
I had guilt trip on my back and a bulletproof vest
I was burdened with guilt and anxiety that I had to protect my fragile emotions with a bulletproof coat.
Inside my Uncle John's Toyota was a walking Crayola
In my Uncle John's Toyota, there was a vivid display of colors and personalities.
I got a hard time, I gotta watch myself
I'm having a tough time, and I need to be cautious.
The way I move through a room full of suits
The way I navigate through a space filled with people who seem to think they're better than me.
Ain't no, ain't no Constitution, I hate uniforms
There's no Constitution or basic set of rules to protect me. I despise uniforms and their constrictions.
They throw me in the crowd and tell me 'boy, I'd lose that smile'
They throw me into the chaos and tell me to wipe the smile off my face.
But see I got it from my dad and that's the reason why we had
But the way I am comes from my father, and it's the reason we persevered.
I raise my black fist, I got big lips
I assert my black identity by raising my fist, and I possess full lips.
I'm strong as Samson, they cut my fuckin' locks
I am as strong as the biblical Samson, but they cut off my strength by taking away my power.
I lose my fuckin' strength, fuck
I lose a sense of strength and resilience.
I'm running out of zips
I'm running out of hidden compartments to store my drugs.
My life been feelin' tense, I won't be on the fence
Life has been hard, and I won't be indecisive anymore.
I put my phone on airplane mode 'cause I'm on autopilot
I put my phone on airplane mode because I don't care to deal with external stimuli.
I need a lot of patience, I need a lot of silence
I need to exercise great patience, and I need to be in an environment of relative silence.
I hope this holy water burn me 'cause I ain't worth this life
I wish this blessed water would subdue and purify me because I don't deserve this existence.
I ain't worth the light of day, but for some I light the way
I'm not worthy of living in this world, but at the same time, guide someone along the way.
Nude along the banister, kitchen smell of lavender
Naked, I slide along the railing, and the aroma of lavender wafts from the kitchen.
Swimming in my Wranglers, I am another caliber
I'm swimming in my signature denim, and I'm of a different tier.
Ooh, yeah, la la la la
An exclamation of excitement and wonder
Soon, soon
Happening soon or speaking of something in the near future
Yeah, no, no, no, no, no, no
Expressing disbelief, saying no
Soon, no, no, no, no, no, no
Referring to something in the near future, rejecting it.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Matt Champion, Dom McLennon, Ameer Vann, Ian Simpson, Ciaran McDonald, Russell Boring
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind