On November 9, 2022, the cover art and release date were released by Kevin Abstract via Twitter.
The following day, they released a snippet of the song’s music video that shows Kevin stumbling drunkenly into a bar.
The song was released alongside an accompanying music video on November 11, 2022.
The Ending
BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me be the one that you call on
Let me be the one (let me be the one) that you cling to
Let me be the one that you call on
(You can mute it for me)
Back when I had a fro still
First moved to L.A. My daddy still paid my phone bill
After sucking good dick on a Sunday morning
Walking through the living room, I see Jabari yawning
I'm thinking, "Man, one day we all gon' be some superstars"
And this is way back before I had a credit card
And this is way back when I ain't have a debit card
And this is way back when we all still prayed to God
When Clancy believed in me, when fans wasn't singing songs
When Kelly would talk to me, when I ain't had no friends at all
Besides them niggas that I lived with
This the most corrupted vision
I turned my friendship into a business, into a empire
Half a million that I wired to my mama, she retired
Calling me, "I'm getting tired of the drama"
Getting tired of letting culture
Try to tell me how to live my life (let me be the one)
How to live my life (that you cling to)
How to live my life
This the ending we all envisioned, right? (Let me be the one)
This is me, Abstract gone for the night, for the night (that you call on)
How you feel? (Let me be the one)
(That you cling to)
(Let me be the one that you call on)
In "The Ending" by BROCKHAMPTON, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of the artist's personal journey and the growth they have experienced in their career and personal life. The song begins with a plea to be the person someone relies on, emphasizing the desire to be a supportive figure in their life. This longing for connection and intimacy is a recurring theme throughout the track.
The lyrics then delve into the artist's memories from their earlier days, reminiscing about moving to Los Angeles and their humble beginnings. They reflect on the times when their father still paid their phone bill and the struggles they faced while pursuing their dreams. Despite the hardships, there is a sense of determination and ambition as the artist envisions a future where they and their friends become superstars.
As the song progresses, the artist acknowledges the transformation that has taken place, turning their friendships into business relationships and building an empire. They highlight the financial success they have achieved, mentioning sending half a million dollars to their mother to support her retirement. However, along with the wealth and success comes a sense of exhaustion and frustration with the drama that accompanies it. The artist asserts their independence, rejecting external pressures from the culture and reclaiming control over their own life.
Overall, "The Ending" explores themes of growth, ambition, and the complexities that come with success. It serves as a reflection on the artist's journey, highlighting the challenges they have overcome and their determination to live life on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me be the one that you cling to
Allow me to be the person you depend on and hold onto in times of need
Let me be the one that you call on
Let me be the person you reach out to for support or assistance
Let me be the one (let me be the one) that you cling to
Grant me the privilege of being the individual you rely on and hold close
Let me be the one that you call on
Permit me to be the individual you seek help or guidance from
(You can mute it for me)
You have the option to silence the background noise or distractions for my sake
Back when I had a fro still
In the past, when I still had an afro hairstyle
First moved to L.A. My daddy still paid my phone bill
When I initially relocated to Los Angeles, my father was still covering my phone expenses
I was sneaking niggas out in the early morning
I used to discreetly allow people to leave my place early in the morning
After sucking good dick on a Sunday morning
After engaging in oral sex on a Sunday morning
Walking through the living room, I see Jabari yawning
As I walk through the living room, I observe Jabari being tired and yawning
I'm thinking, 'Man, one day we all gon' be some superstars'
I'm contemplating the future, believing that one day all of us will achieve great fame and success
And this is way back before I had a credit card
This happened long ago when I didn't possess a credit card
And this is way back when I ain't have a debit card
And this occurred in the past when I didn't have a debit card either
And this is way back when we all still prayed to God
And this took place in a time when all of us still had faith and prayed to God
When Clancy believed in me, when fans wasn't singing songs
During a period when Clancy, a figure of importance, had faith in my potential, and the fans hadn't started singing my songs yet
When Kelly would talk to me, when I ain't had no friends at all
When Kelly, someone who cared, would engage in conversation with me during a time when I lacked any true friends
Besides them niggas that I lived with
Except for the individuals with whom I resided
This the most corrupted vision
This represents the most distorted and tainted perception
I turned my friendship into a business, into a empire
I transformed my companionship into a commercial endeavor, building an influential and powerful entity
Half a million that I wired to my mama, she retired
I sent five hundred thousand dollars to my mother via electronic transfer, enabling her retirement
Calling me, 'I'm getting tired of the drama'
My mother contacts me, expressing exhaustion from the conflicts and troubles
Getting tired of letting culture
Becoming weary of allowing societal norms and expectations
Try to tell me how to live my life (let me be the one)
Attempting to dictate and control my lifestyle against my desires (allow me to be the person)
How to live my life (that you cling to)
Imposing their ideas on how I should lead my life (that you depend on)
How to live my life
Instructing me on how I should navigate my own existence
This the ending we all envisioned, right? (Let me be the one)
Is this the conclusion we all imagined and desired? (Allow me to be the person)
This is me, Abstract gone for the night, for the night (that you call on)
This is who I am, Abstract, absent for the night, unavailable to be reached (that you reach out to)
How you feel? (Let me be the one)
How are you feeling? (Allow me to be the person)
(Let me be the one)
(Allow me to be the person)
(That you cling to)
(That you depend on)
(Let me be the one that you call on)
(Allow me to be the person you seek)
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Ian Simpson, Ryan Yoo, Willie Hutch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DANNY__JK
ill never forget the band. thank you for everything
1:09 this line hurts. i feel your regret. i know this is what ruined everything, but its also the lightning that you trapped in that bottle. double edged sword.
what an interesting part of music history you guys created
thank you robert, dom, ciaran, merlyn, ameer, jon, ashlan, ian, russel, romil, matt, henock, kiko, rodney, albert, jabari and of course clancey
this was an amazing performance
Gawx Art
Boylife is a genius.
Aaron, The Student
so are you my brutha
prod.lavxndxr!𓂀
did not expect YOU to be here lol
hi dad :]
César Tenerif'e
soooo tudei
abra *:・゚✧
forreal ryan / gelato the BEST
Charlie Ray
He's so underrated it's sad!!
DIZERK
THEY REALLY MAKING THIS SENTIMENTAL AND IM HERE FOR IT
Cedric St Germain
😭
Juiced
“They” lol
Sarthak Yadav
I haven't ever been this excited since I first heard the Sat trilogy. Why the fuck do they have to come back to form on their last album