Tattoos
Cadence Weapon Lyrics


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so how much is this gonna run me? you know?
how much are tattoos usually?

it doesn't so much hurt that you can feel something
it varies from person to person, don't fear it
you paid for this and you wanted to be cool
you wanted a thing that'll last forever
when they trace around it, it doesn't really hurt
this explains why the outline's first
the pain only begins when they start shading in
when they talked thin line but i guess they didn't see me
paramount stress, the artist played my genre
i don't think i'll let him work on me again
am i suppose to be bleeding this much?
is it common for a youth alcoholic to have thin blood?
but i gotta thick skin and i've had a couple flesh wounds
you aren't the first and you won't be the last
i read all the facts and the stacks before this
wait?...what did you ask?

i'm i talking about something else?
well i usually am, you just don't know me that well
were on a strictly customer to employee basis at this point
if i continue to get work from you
maybe i'll invite you into my personal life
where you'll hear more confusions over pints of beer
i'll look into having unemotional sex
with an average looking stranger
wouldn't you like to do that?

don't go and ask how i got my heart stolen
it tainted love like Gloria Jones and Mark Bolan:
it never woulda worked
i keep my hammers on the ones she keeps his lock with a smirk
talked with a jerk and he said i was awkward at shows
cause i pulled my shirt down and i tapped with my toes
see, i rap within prose but i don't really do it for my friends
words were a means to an end
the other day i tried to be the bigger man
i hear she's seeing someone now
i guess i just figured out she had cold feet
and i kick sore ones so lets put them together
and help each other walk
i comment on relationships, mostly the poor ones
she doesn't call me, she doesn't really wanna talk
i empty out glasses, i use to make passes
but i think she only likes guys with glasses...".what was that"?

do i wanna hear a different song? well i guess
i mean, i'm okay with this "quantum" shit
they have a really good discography, they're a great label
me, im just a really sensitive dude, you know?
you shouldn't phone me for being too loose with my emotions
you probably hear this sort of thing all the time right?
your a cheaper shrink and you put something on me

i love the ones that hurt me like the Venus in Furs author
hit me and i'll take the offer, i'll keep it close
i reap the pros with the cons that i know
they keep a heavy heart under the lines that they tow
i'm thinking about another piece greed had a friend that once
gave me some shots, so i can give him a shot
i'm looking for something, you know?... really says something!
like i'd never date you or maybe the hyro logo
before that tour, i wish you didn't decide to go home
i wish you'd wear me out like vinyl promos... Stephanie!
i tried hard, i wish she wouldn't get the best of me
i think she left me with the bill like Belamy, your telling me
i hear a lot of things about me
but stick to what i said to you in private
my roommate asked why you'd stopped coming by
you were clear when you told Eric "Beatsteaks is Hot!"

so it actually does hurt in the end
but i'm done writing songs about her
you know what i mean?
why would you obsess over a girl who doesn't like you?




i mean, some people make careers over stuff like that
...but not me, i'm a Pisces like Andre Nickatina

Overall Meaning

The song "Tattoos" by Cadence Weapon follows the story of someone getting a tattoo while having a conversation with the artist. The lyrics explore the pain and process of getting inked, as well as the artist's personal life and relationships. The opening lines of the song inquire about the cost and pain of tattoos, to which the artist responds that it varies from person to person. The artist then goes on to explain the process, noting that the pain begins when the shading begins.


As the song continues, Cadence Weapon's lyrics shift to a more personal tone, revealing the artist's internal monologue during the tattoo session. He expresses his confusion and frustration over a past relationship and contemplates the idea of having unemotional sex. The song ends with him acknowledging the pain of the tattoo process but reassuring himself that he's not going to write any more songs about that ex-girlfriend, conveying an overall tone of uncertainty and emotional vulnerability.


Line by Line Meaning

so how much is this gonna run me? you know?
Inquiring about the usual cost of getting a tattoo.


it doesn't so much hurt that you can feel something
Pain levels vary, but it doesn't hurt that much.


you paid for this and you wanted to be cool
You chose to get a tattoo as a form of self-expression.


you wanted a thing that'll last forever
You were looking for something permanent in your life.


when they trace around it, it doesn't really hurt
Getting the outline of the tattoo done is less pain than the shading.


the pain only begins when they start shading in
The shading process is more painful than the outlining process.


when they talked thin line but i guess they didn't see me
The artist underestimated the thickness of the lines.


paramount stress, the artist played my genre
The artist wasn't skilled, adding extra stress to the situation.


am i suppose to be bleeding this much?
Questioning whether the amount of bleeding is normal during the tattoo process.


is it common for a youth alcoholic to have thin blood?
Wondering if being a youth alcoholic can cause thinning of the blood during the tattoo process.


but i gotta thick skin and i've had a couple flesh wounds
You have thick skin and have dealt with pain before.


you aren't the first and you won't be the last
Many others get tattoos, and you're not alone.


i read all the facts and the stacks before this
You researched and prepared before getting the tattoo.


were on a strictly customer to employee basis at this point
The interaction is limited to a customer-business relationship.


i'm i talking about something else?
Asking if the conversation has shifted to something different.


i'll look into having unemotional sex with an average looking stranger
Pondering the idea of having casual, meaningless sex.


where you'll hear more confusions over pints of beer
Offering the possibility of discussing and sharing personal confusion while drinking beer.


i keep my hammers on the ones she keeps his lock with a smirk
Referencing the lyrics of a song and the idea of moving on from a relationship.


see, i rap within prose but i don't really do it for my friends
You're a rapper and write meaningful lyrics for yourself, not just for your friends.


i hear she's seeing someone now
Finding out your ex is seeing someone new.


i guess i just figured out she had cold feet
Realizing your ex didn't want to commit to you.


i'm thinking about another piece greed had a friend that once
Contemplating getting another tattoo based on someone else's recommendation.


i tried hard, i wish she wouldn't get the best of me
Struggling to let go of thoughts and emotions related to your ex.


but i'm done writing songs about her
Making the decision to move on from writing songs about your ex.


why would you obsess over a girl who doesn't like you?
Questioning the point of obsessing over someone who doesn't reciprocate feelings.


but not me, i'm a Pisces like Andre Nickatina
Comparing oneself to a rapper based on their Zodiac sign.




Contributed by Jonathan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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