Chance achieved some success with his first mixtape 10Day, which details his 10 day long suspension from his high school. On April 30, 2013, Chance's second mixtape, Acid Rap dropped. It received diamond status from Datpiff. The Social Experiment, Chance's band with Donnie Trumpet, Peter Cottontail, and members of the O'My's, released their free album, Surf, on May 28, 2015.
Who's To Say
Chance The Rapper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My little cousin thought that I ain't love him anymore
Nothing could be farther from the truth
Here, take this liquor and this Swisher as a truce
I was just made 'cause you stole
I was mad, but it's old
We gon' talk about it face to face
Forgiveness is the answer and auntie's is the place
Someone got a problem, they gon' have to kick us out
But if you come, I hope you decide to stay
Just know your big cousin love ya either way
'Cause who's to say? Who's to say?
Who's to say? Who's to say?
I love you still, still
I love, I love
People that they said to never trust
Even if we never stayed in touch
I love you, love
Love is forgiveness at its core
My cousin think her grandma doesn't love her anymore
Nothing could be farther from the truth
Take the pictures of your daughter on her wall as the proof
I think she was just mad nobody told her
She thought that you was too young, but your daughter getting older
I think y'all should talk about it face to face
Forgiveness is the topic and her house is still the place
Sunday, we back up at the house
Someone got a issue, they gon' have to drag us out
I know they probably feel some type of way
Someone always got something to say
But who's to say? Who's to say?
Who's to say? Who's to say?
She loves you still (still), still
She loves, loves you
People that we knew was quick to judge
People that would always do too much
We love you still, still
Love is not the sanitized, romanticized soliloquy
That smiles and tries to reconcile without accountability
'Cause justice is the motive, and that's the thing that's missing
That's the sickness of the culture, the system that was keeping us
From loving how we supposed to, the secrets that we keep
That keep us comfortable and closer, the silence and the church
When it was violence they would know of, it made us feel like Christ
He didn't like us, didn't know us, but this is the biggest lie
The enemy done ever told us, I know he was the shoulder
I could hold on like a toga when others did me vulgar
I'm just looking for closure, I know that love is righteous
Love is what is happening when someone apologizes
Love is the day that the Grinch's heart grew three sizes
Love is priceless, love is passion, God is love
And all you got is good and God is having
God still love ya, don't believe me? Ask Him
But who's to say? Who's to say?
Who's to say? Who's to say?
He loves you still, you still, He loves
You still, He loves you still, you still, you still
He loves
People that may think they not enough (you still)
People that may think they are in luck (you still)
He loves, loves you (He loves you still, you still)
Merry Christmas
In the first verse of the song, Chance the Rapper addresses a situation where his little cousin felt unloved by him. He acknowledges that the misunderstanding arose because he was upset that his cousin had stolen something from him. However, he realizes that holding onto anger is pointless and offers the peace offering of liquor and a Swisher (a type of cigar). Chance expresses his desire to reconcile with his cousin and talks about meeting face to face to discuss the issue at their aunt's house. He assures his cousin that he loves him, regardless of whether they can resolve their problems.
In the second verse, Chance talks about another family member, possibly his cousin, who believes their grandmother no longer loves them. He sees through this misconception and suggests taking a look at the pictures of this family member's daughter on the wall as evidence that the grandmother still cares. He believes that the family member is upset because nobody informed them about their daughter growing up. Chance encourages them to have a conversation, focusing on forgiveness, at the grandmother's house. He anticipates potential conflict but asserts that their love and support will always be present.
The third verse delves into a broader definition of love, highlighting its connection to justice and accountability. Chance emphasizes that love is not just about romanticized notions or surface-level reconciliation. He critiques a culture and system that perpetuate silence and keep people comfortable but prevent them from truly loving as they should. He acknowledges the struggles he has faced and the lies propagated against him but holds onto his faith and seeks closure. He believes that love is righteous, and that it manifests through apologies and the growth of a person's heart. He brings in religious references, stating that God is love, and concludes by encouraging listeners to seek God's love and reassurance.
In the final lines, "Merry Christmas," Chance wraps up the song with well-wishes for the holiday season, perhaps symbolizing a time of unity, forgiveness, and love among family and friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is a casualty of war
Love often suffers in the midst of conflict and turmoil.
My little cousin thought that I ain't love him anymore
My younger cousin mistakenly believed that I no longer cared for him.
Nothing could be farther from the truth
In reality, this assumption couldn't be more incorrect.
Here, take this liquor and this Swisher as a truce
To make amends, I offer you this gesture of peace in the form of alcohol and a cigar.
I was just made 'cause you stole
I was angry because you took something from me.
I was mad, but it's old
I was angry, but that resentment is now in the past.
We gon' talk about it face to face
Let's have a direct conversation and address our issues.
Forgiveness is the answer and auntie's is the place
Forgiving each other is the solution, and we can discuss it at our aunt's house.
Sunday, we going to the house
On Sunday, we will visit our aunt's house.
Someone got a problem, they gon' have to kick us out
If someone has an issue with us, they will need to forcibly remove us.
But if you come, I hope you decide to stay
But if you choose to join us, I hope you remain with us.
Just know your big cousin love ya either way
Understand that regardless of what happens, your older cousin loves you.
'Cause who's to say? Who's to say?
Because who can definitively claim to know the answer?
I love you still, still
I still love you, without a doubt.
I love, I love
I express my affection and care for you deeply.
People that they said to never trust
Individuals whom others advised us never to place trust in.
Even if we never stayed in touch
Even if our contact with each other was infrequent.
I love you, love
I genuinely love and care for you.
Love is forgiveness at its core
Forgiveness lies at the heart of love.
My cousin think her grandma doesn't love her anymore
My cousin mistakenly believes that her grandmother no longer loves her.
Take the pictures of your daughter on her wall as the proof
Look at the images of your daughter displayed on her bedroom wall as evidence.
I think she was just mad nobody told her
I believe she was simply angry because nobody informed her.
She thought that you was too young, but your daughter getting older
She believed that you were too young, but your daughter is growing up now.
I think y'all should talk about it face to face
I believe both of you should discuss this matter directly.
Forgiveness is the topic and her house is still the place
The subject of conversation should be forgiveness, and her house remains the suitable setting.
Sunday, we back up at the house
On Sunday, we will gather once again at her house.
Someone got a issue, they gon' have to drag us out
If someone has a problem, they will need to forcefully remove us from the premises.
I know they probably feel some type of way
I am aware that they likely harbor certain negative emotions.
Someone always got something to say
There is always someone with opinions and comments to express.
Love is not the sanitized, romanticized soliloquy
Love is not a pure, idealized monologue.
That smiles and tries to reconcile without accountability
It is not merely about putting on a happy face and attempting to reconcile without taking responsibility.
'Cause justice is the motive, and that's the thing that's missing
The true motive should be justice, and that is the crucial element that is lacking.
That's the sickness of the culture, the system that was keeping us
That is the problem within our culture, the system that has been holding us back.
From loving how we supposed to, the secrets that we keep
Preventing us from loving each other as we should, due to the secrets we hold.
That keep us comfortable and closer, the silence and the church
Those secrets keep us complacent and united, stemming from the silence and the church.
When it was violence they would know of, it made us feel like Christ
When acts of violence were committed, it made us feel as if we were experiencing what Christ endured.
He didn't like us, didn't know us, but this is the biggest lie
He did not dislike or misunderstand us, but that is the most significant falsehood.
The enemy done ever told us, I know he was the shoulder
The enemy has always deceived us, and I realize he was just a source of comfort.
I could hold on like a toga when others did me vulgar
I clung onto him like a toga, seeking solace when others treated me with disrespect.
I'm just looking for closure, I know that love is righteous
I am simply seeking closure, and I understand that love is honorable and moral.
Love is what is happening when someone apologizes
Love is present in the act of offering an apology.
Love is the day that the Grinch's heart grew three sizes
Love can be likened to the day when the Grinch's heart expanded significantly.
Love is priceless, love is passion, God is love
Love cannot be measured in monetary value; it is a powerful emotion, and God embodies love.
And all you got is good and God is having
Ultimately, all you possess is goodness, and experiencing God means having love.
God still love ya, don't believe me? Ask Him
God continues to love you; if you doubt me, seek confirmation from Him.
He loves you still, you still, He loves
He still loves you, without a doubt, you can be assured.
People that may think they not enough (you still)
Individuals who may believe they are unworthy or insufficient (but He still loves you).
People that may think they are in luck (you still)
Those who may perceive themselves as fortunate or privileged (but He still loves you).
He loves, loves you (He loves you still, you still)
He loves you dearly, with an abundance of love (He loves you even now, without a doubt).
Merry Christmas
A joyful holiday greeting to celebrate Christmas.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chancellor Johnathan Bennett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind