12.38
Childish Gambino Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Uh
Someone made a mess in my account (someone sound like me, yes)
Someone bought a Patek in a panic (yes, yes)
Forty Bentley addict, I go manic (oh no)
Hit the oochie-coochie 'til it's slanted, ooh
I'm gon' beat it up, ooh, baby
I'm gon' make your dreams come, baby
Ayy, you the one who talkin' all that trash (you the one who talkin' all that trash)
Forty-five, I'll twenty-eight that ass (ooh)
You can set the snow on fire (yeah, ooh)
You smell like a peach papaya
She said, "eat this psilocybin, I'ma be right back"
I'm like, "aight" (aight)
"Ayy, I don't know what psilocybin is" (no)
"This better not be no molly"
She just laughed and closed the door
Dark chocolate, sea salt
I took a bite
She said, "we gon' have a special night"
I said, "who you telling, girl? I know that"
Tracee Ellis with it when you throw back (ooh, yeah)
Girl, I see your (shadow move)
Ooh, you're so divine (yes, you are)
And them panties came off (ooh, yes they did)
I'ma give you some privacy (uh)
Pictures with your stepsisters (hmm)
N. K. Jemisin with you, uh
Got the All About Love, on some bell hooks
Then I turned to a dirty look, uh (meow)
Ayy, why your cat lookin' at me sideways?
"Sing to her"
I said, "nah, I'll put on the radio though"
(I might let you go)
Lay back on my back (uh), vibrate
My ex on some BS
She walked out the closet
Girl, never write a check I can't deposit
She said, "boy, stop, let's go walkin'" (let's go walkin')
"You wanna be outside for this"
We just talkin'
Dogpark looking like a Trader Joe's (roof, roof)
Papillon, mmh, thought you hated those
Other girls, uh, let they shady show
Every time we walk around
They say, "how she gonna hold him down?" No
They don't know what they missing
Most these niggas wanna run around with these SZAs (yeah)
I prefer to just stroll the park with this Chaka
Baby girl was just diggin' all in my pockets (all in my pockets)
I was going hard (by the magic hour)
We were holdin' hands, tried to make me understand (yeah)
Make girls fall in love, that's my (magic power), yes
Everybody's jealous I won't ease it with these colors
Ooh, I wanna see it in the moonlight
Yellow, red, orange robe, askin' for donation (oh)
I'm not a tourist, nigga, this is not vacation
(I am not a tourist, nigga, this is not vacation)
Vibrate
Goddamn, man, this girl goin' crazy on my Motorola
She said, "let me answer it" (let me answer)
Then she'll know it's over (ooh)
Girl, you cancerous, you gon' ruin my life
Let me get this paperweight, then come be my wife
She just laughed and touched my face (what you mean?)
You don't understand what this is (oh wait, wait, wait, wait)
I ain't lookin' for another lifetime
Let's just stay here and enjoy the great design
Had the Iceberg tucked in my waist (bling)
Fuck a omelet, you can eat off my face (no)
I just thought that we were vibin'
You don't love her, then you lyin'
Come and go and you get tulips
Put a finger to my two lips (it's okay)
Ooh, you got it bad, just remember what we had
You can set the snow on fire
The reason that your suffer is desire (huh)
The reason that I'm moving with this ooh-wee
I was lovin' life, I got too deep (I was too deep)
Woke up in my room, she was long gone
Toni singing me another sad song (ooh)
Eternity
Oh, until we meet again

This ain't special, tell me what you want
This ain't special, baby, this is fun
This ain't special, tell me what you want
This ain't special, baby, this is fun

Drop it off (21), let me see if your booty soft
Gold mouth (hold up, hold up), yes, I'm from the Dirty South
Lights out (straight up), summertime, I brought the ice out (21)
Pipes out (on God), all my shooters came from moscow
Got a girl in Harvard, I talk proper when I call her (21)
Baby, I'm a baller, ain't no way that I can rob ya (straight up)
She don't want no new friends, she just tryna buy her a new Benz (on God)
I've been counting M's, me and Ben Franklin damn near kin (on God)
Put my mind to it and I did it, them facts (21)
Talkin' 'bout your brother to get some pussy, that's wack (straight up)
The police keep harassin' 'cause I'm rich and I'm black (straight up)
They mad 'cause I made myself a boss without crack (on God)
I ain't trippin', boy, I'm Lamborghini whippin' (21, 21)
Straight up out the trenches, money made me ign'ant (it did)
I'm on a private jet eatin' Popeyes Chicken (21)
I be flexin' like I'm eatin' Popeye's spinach (21, 21, 21)

Morning dew
Percolating and still have a little time for Sunday, ooh
(So baby, let's take it back to the crib)
(Back to the, back, back to the)

Baby, I might let you go
Babe, baby, no matter what
And like I switch the other side of me
Baby got a whole lotta ride on me
Babe, baby, let's take it back to crib
Back, back to the crib
Back, back to the, babe
I might let you go
Baby, baby, no matter what
And I can, I can, I can, I can
To the crib
Back to the crib, back to the




And no one seen them
Baby, I, baby, baby, I

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Childish Gambino's "12.38" are about enjoying youth, love, and pleasure in life. The singer seems to be in a casual relationship with someone who they have been seeing for a while. The lyrics mention a lot of materialistic things like Patek watches, Bentleys, and papayas, and they describe the beauty of the female subject. But despite all the luxuries they both have in life, they prefer spending simple moments in the park with each other. Towards the end of the song, the lyrics suggest that there is a deeper desire for love and permanence after experiencing pleasure and transience. However, the lyrics also express the singer’s awareness that they may not find it so easily.


Line by Line Meaning

Uh
There is something happening or being said


Someone made a mess in my account (someone sound like me, yes)
Someone has done something to disrupt or manipulate my resources or finances


Someone bought a Patek in a panic (yes, yes)
Someone impulsively bought an expensive watch out of urgency


Forty Bentley addict, I go manic (oh no)
I have an excessive addiction to luxury cars, particularly Bentley, which can lead to exaggerated behavior


Hit the oochie-coochie 'til it's slanted, ooh
Engage in sexual activity vigorously and energetically


I'm gon' beat it up, ooh, baby
I will have rough, intense sex


I'm gon' make your dreams come, baby
I will fulfill your desires and make your fantasies come true


Ayy, you the one who talkin' all that trash (you the one who talkin' all that trash)
You are the person speaking negatively or arrogantly


Forty-five, I'll twenty-eight that ass (ooh)
I will intimidate or defeat someone who tries to challenge me


You can set the snow on fire (yeah, ooh)
You have the ability to do the impossible or make something extraordinary happen


You smell like a peach papaya
You have a pleasant and enticing scent


She said, 'eat this psilocybin, I'ma be right back'
She offered me a psychedelic drug and said she would return shortly


I'm like, 'aight' (aight)
I agree or accept the offer


'Ayy, I don't know what psilocybin is' (no)
I admit that I am not familiar with psilocybin


'This better not be no molly'
I express my concern that the substance is not the drug MDMA


She just laughed and closed the door
She dismissed my worries and walked away


Dark chocolate, sea salt
A combination of flavors


I took a bite
I sampled or tasted it


She said, 'we gon' have a special night'
She promised that we would have a memorable or extraordinary evening


I said, 'who you telling, girl? I know that'
I respond by saying that I am already aware or have knowledge of it


Tracee Ellis with it when you throw back (ooh, yeah)
You display elegance and style similar to Tracee Ellis Ross in a retro or vintage manner


Girl, I see your (shadow move)
I notice your presence or essence


Ooh, you're so divine (yes, you are)
You possess an ethereal or heavenly quality


And them panties came off (ooh, yes they did)
The undergarments were removed in a sexual manner


I'ma give you some privacy (uh)
I will respect your need for personal space or intimacy


Pictures with your stepsisters (hmm)
Taking photos with your step-siblings


N. K. Jemisin with you, uh
You are accompanied by N. K. Jemisin, a notable author


Got the All About Love, on some bell hooks
You possess the book 'All About Love' written by bell hooks


Then I turned to a dirty look, uh (meow)
Your expression changed to one of disapproval or disdain


Ayy, why your cat lookin' at me sideways?
I am curious as to why your cat is giving me a suspicious or skeptical look


'Sing to her'
Someone instructs or encourages me to serenade the person


I said, 'nah, I'll put on the radio though'
I decline the offer to sing and suggest listening to the radio instead


('I might let you go')
I may consider ending our relationship


Lay back on my back (uh), vibrate
I lie down on my back and experience a buzzing or vibrating sensation


My ex on some BS
My former partner is behaving irrationally or causing trouble


She walked out the closet
She unexpectedly left the room or space


Girl, never write a check I can't deposit
You should not make promises or commitments that you cannot fulfill


She said, 'boy, stop, let's go walkin'' (let's go walkin')
You suggest going for a walk or spending time together


'You wanna be outside for this'
You believe it is worth going outside to experience something


We just talkin'
We are engaged in a conversation or casual discussion


Dogpark looking like a Trader Joe's (roof, roof)
The dog park appears crowded or busy


Papillon, mmh, thought you hated those
You seem to have a change of opinion regarding Papillon dogs


Other girls, uh, let they shady show
Other girls let their dishonest or deceitful nature be evident


Every time we walk around
Whenever we are together or seen in public


They say, 'how she gonna hold him down?' No
People question your ability to support or be committed to me


They don't know what they missing
They are not aware of the unique qualities or experiences they are missing out on


Most these niggas wanna run around with these SZAs (yeah)
Most men want to pursue or be involved with women like SZA


I prefer to just stroll the park with this Chaka
I would rather casually walk in the park with you, similar to Chaka Khan


Baby girl was just diggin' all in my pockets (all in my pockets)
You were exploring or searching through my pockets


I was going hard (by the magic hour)
I was putting in a lot of effort or intensity during a specific time period


We were holdin' hands, tried to make me understand (yeah)
We were physically connected, and you attempted to convey a message or explanation to me


Make girls fall in love, that's my (magic power), yes
I have the ability or talent to make women fall in love with me


Everybody's jealous I won't ease it with these colors
Others are envious or resentful because I refuse to compromise or conform


Ooh, I wanna see it in the moonlight
I desire to witness or experience something in the romantic glow of the moon


Yellow, red, orange robe, askin' for donation (oh)
You are wearing a vibrant-colored robe and requesting financial contribution


I'm not a tourist, nigga, this is not vacation
I am not simply a visitor or traveler, this is not a leisure trip


('I am not a tourist, nigga, this is not vacation')
Clarifying or emphasizing that it is not a tourist experience


Goddamn, man, this girl goin' crazy on my Motorola
This girl is calling or messaging incessantly on my Motorola phone


She said, 'let me answer it' (let me answer)
She wants to respond or deal with the communication herself


Then she'll know it's over (ooh)
By answering the call, she will realize that our relationship has ended


Girl, you cancerous, you gon' ruin my life
You are toxic or detrimental to my well-being and will bring me misery


Let me get this paperweight, then come be my wife
Let me handle or take care of this matter, then we can get married


She just laughed and touched my face (what you mean?)
You reacted with amusement and touched my face, expressing confusion


You don't understand what this is (oh wait, wait, wait, wait)
You don't comprehend the significance or nature of this situation


I ain't lookin' for another lifetime
I am not seeking a long-term or everlasting commitment


Let's just stay here and enjoy the great design
Let's remain in this present moment and appreciate the beauty or arrangement of our surroundings


Had the Iceberg tucked in my waist (bling)
I concealed a valuable item or symbol of status in my waistband


Fuck a omelet, you can eat off my face (no)
Food or sustenance is unimportant compared to the opulence or lavishness displayed on my face


I just thought that we were vibin'
I believed that we were connecting or experiencing a good rapport


You don't love her, then you lyin'
If you don't feel affection or love for her, you are being dishonest


Come and go and you get tulips
You engage in brief romances or relationships and receive flowers


Put a finger to my two lips (it's okay)
Place a finger on my lips to indicate that it is acceptable or fine


Ooh, you got it bad, just remember what we had
You are deeply affected or infatuated, but remember the past experiences we shared


You can set the snow on fire
You have the capability to accomplish seemingly impossible or extraordinary feats


The reason that your suffer is desire (huh)
Your unhappiness or distress is caused by your strong longing or craving


The reason that I'm moving with this ooh-wee
The cause of my actions or behavior is this intoxicating or stimulating substance


I was lovin' life, I got too deep (I was too deep)
I was enjoying life and got carried away or overly involved


Woke up in my room, she was long gone
I woke up to find that she had left and was no longer present


Toni singing me another sad song (ooh)
Toni, presumably Toni Braxton, is singing a melancholic or sorrowful song to me


Oh, until we meet again
Expressing the desire or anticipation of seeing each other in the future


This ain't special, tell me what you want
This is not unique or exceptional, so inform me of your desires or expectations


This ain't special, baby, this is fun
This is not extraordinary, my dear, it is simply enjoyable


Drop it off (21), let me see if your booty soft
Lower your body (21) and let me determine if your buttocks are tender or pliable


Gold mouth (hold up, hold up), yes, I'm from the Dirty South
My teeth are adorned with gold (hold up, hold up), indicating that I am from the southern United States


Lights out (straight up), summertime, I brought the ice out (21)
The lights are turned off (straight up), it's summertime, and I have brought out the diamonds or jewelry


Pipes out (on God), all my shooters came from moscow
The guns are out (on God), and all my skilled shooters are from Moscow


Got a girl in Harvard, I talk proper when I call her (21)
I have a girlfriend who attends Harvard University, and I speak formally and politely when communicating with her


Baby, I'm a baller, ain't no way that I can rob ya (straight up)
Darling, I am successful and wealthy; there is no possibility that I would steal from you


She don't want no new friends, she just tryna buy her a new Benz (on God)
She is not interested in making new acquaintances; she is focused on purchasing a new luxury car


I've been counting M's, me and Ben Franklin damn near kin (on God)
I have been accumulating millions of dollars, making me closely related to Benjamin Franklin, who is known for appearing on the $100 bill


Put my mind to it and I did it, them facts (21)
Once I set my mind to something, I accomplish it, and that is a fact


Talkin' 'bout your brother to get some pussy, that's wack (straight up)
Using your relationship or connection with your brother to gain sexual favors is distasteful or unsavory


The police keep harassin' 'cause I'm rich and I'm black (straight up)
Law enforcement continuously targets or bothers me because I am wealthy and of African descent


They mad 'cause I made myself a boss without crack (on God)
They are resentful or upset because I have become a successful leader without resorting to illegal activities or drug dealing


I ain't trippin', boy, I'm Lamborghini whippin' (21, 21)
I am not bothered or concerned, boy, I am driving a Lamborghini at high speeds


Straight up out the trenches, money made me ign'ant (it did)
I come from difficult or impoverished circumstances, and money has made me ignorant or unaware


I'm on a private jet eatin' Popeyes Chicken (21)
I am inside a private jet, enjoying a meal from Popeyes Chicken


I be flexin' like I'm eatin' Popeye's spinach (21, 21, 21)
I show off or boast as if I am consuming spinach, similar to the cartoon character Popeye


Morning dew
The moisture or condensation that accumulates overnight


Percolating and still have a little time for Sunday, ooh
Bubbling or filtering slowly, with moments available to enjoy on a Sunday


('So baby, let's take it back to the crib')
Let's return to my place of residence or intimacy


('Back to the, back, back to the')
Returning or retracing our steps to a previous location or activity


Baby, I might let you go
Darling, I am considering ending our relationship


Babe, baby, no matter what
Sweetheart, regardless of the circumstances


And like I switch the other side of me
And as I transform into a different aspect or version of myself


Baby got a whole lotta ride on me
Darling, you have a lot of control or influence over me


Babe, baby, let's take it back to crib
Sweetheart, let's return to my place of residence


Back, back to the crib
Returning to the place of intimacy or comfort


I might let you go
I am considering ending our relationship


Baby, baby, no matter what
Darling, regardless of the circumstances


And I can, I can, I can, I can
And I have the ability or capability


To the crib
To the place of intimacy or comfort


Back to the crib, back to the
Returning to the place of intimacy or comfort


And no one seen them
And no one witnessed or noticed their actions


Baby, I, baby, baby, I
Darling, I, darling, darling, I




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Atia Boggs, Dacoury Natche, Donald Glover II, Kadhja Bonet, She'yaa Abraham-Joseph

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@yungbruh3352

GAMBINO BEING MELODIC, 21’S VERSE AND KHADJA BONET’S SINGING IS A HIT

@yungbruh3352

James thanks for the clarification

@giuseppemancino366

James She has a beautiful voice! Wonderful tone

@SulganyMatthewAbbott

@James yo that's sick. I love her contribution on Anderson .Paak's projects. Glad to know who's actually singing. Love SZA but it really didn't sound much like her

@essubliminals6826

Matthew I mean if you heard her older projects like see.sza.run it sounds exactly like her. Especially when see was going through her phase of trying to sound like Sade

@essubliminals6826

James You mean @SpillMyInk ? They gave the wrong artist credit in Genius and other sources which is why I was sure it was sza. It sounds like Sza from her see.sza.run project. I’m sorry if I offended you off of a tiny mistake.

2 More Replies...

@Nick-zp6wm

Her: “Sing to her”

Childish Gambino: “Nah I’ll turn on the radio tho”

@nathanguilderson2368

What song plays on the radio when he turns it on?

@HeyAlicia4

Nathan Guildersplat 5:22 is the part that’s playing on the radio hun 💛

@saintzeropg

radio play me that new 3005

More Comments

More Versions