Danny! is a former student of the Savannah College of Art & Design. He often wears an oxford shirt and pinstriped necktie, and has gained notoriety for prank-calling celebrities. In 2012 Danny! rose to prominence shortly following the proclamation by The Roots drummer Questlove that there was strong interest from Jay-Z; he was subsequently signed as the flagship artist to Questlove's re-launched Okayplayer Records after years of being loosely affiliated with the company. In support of the new venture Danny! made his television debut on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" in September 2012, premiering his song "Evil" alongside The Roots.
Prior to this Danny! was most notable for his efficacious DIY approach to his music career, producing virtually every aspect of his albums—from the production to the cover art and even promotion—by himself to varying degrees of acclaim. He would field praise for his self-released concept records "Charm" and "And I Love H.E.R.", the latter named by ABC News as one of the best 50 albums of 2008, before releasing the "anti-album" "Where Is Danny?" in early 2011. After signing to Okayplayer Records the following year, Danny! completed his trilogy of conceptual albums with "Payback".
My Problem
Danny! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Depression mode in my dressing room
Pressure's on, grateful for my blessings
Though I think I found success too soon
How could it be like this?
Should've warned him if he got successful he might flip
Yeah my dreams are comin' true and all
But who do you call
Is glued to your balls
I ain't being jokey, nigga this is serious
Running 'round in circles but my mind is the weariest
Why am I delirious? I got everything a brother could
Ask for, feel like I'm being smothered in asphalt
'Cause I let my problems trample all over me
Too many straws have got my camel fallin' on his knees
For example I -- oh hold on, hold on...lemme take this drink, hol' up (pours drink)
Now where was I?
Finally got my wings unclipped but now I'm scared to fly
But this ain't stage fright
Nigga this is e'ry night
Fans screaming, stampeding
Dan's speeding, movin' too fast
I can't even walk in the store anymore
Without a bunch of people standin' by the door
Asking for an autograph, man I oughta spazz out
But I gotta think about my daughter...
Speakin' of her, me and her mother are goin' through some thangs
Ever since -- man fuck it, I gotta take...
I gotta take another drink, my bad (sips drink)
My momma said I'm actin' brand new
Said the fame changed me
But that can't be true
People that I used to call my buddy
Only actin' buddy-buddy
'Cause they want some money from me
And these honeys never came around before
Now I'm gettin' love from all these dames while I'm on tour
I wonder if they'd love me just the same if I was poor --
Yo, who's bangin' at my door?
("Six minutes, Danny Swain you're on!")
Man I ain't comin' out this room until my pain is gone
I...I need a couple seconds to sit and drink
Uh, I mean THINK...damn I can't think
Damn, what was I thinkin', I'm drinkin' again
Whether I sink or I swim, I know I gave it my best
Sometimes I -- I gotta, I gotta take another drink (pours drink)
I'm lonely and I'm nervous and I'm scared
Thought I wanted the fame, I guess I wasn't prepared
To be an overnight sensation
I hoped that I could take it in stride
I went from open mics to Vegas and died
Somewhere along the way; at least my sanity did
I didn't plan to be big, I just -- (sips drink)
I just wanted to shine
wanted my rhymes to reach the people one at a time
Funny how my small problems are all contributin'
To my biggest issue of all: my alcohol addiction
Is it me or is it...is it gettin' dark in here?
Oh...shit....
The lyrics in Danny!'s song My Problem revolve around his struggles with fame and success. Despite being grateful for his blessings, he feels like he found success too soon and is struggling to cope with the pressure that comes with it. He talks about his alcohol addiction as a way to deal with his problems, which is becoming a bigger issue. He also talks about his relationships with his daughter and her mother, and how his fame is affecting them. The song ends with him reflecting on his journey from open mics to Vegas, and how he didn't plan to be big but just wanted his rhymes to reach people one at a time.
Line by Line Meaning
Depression mode in my dressing room
I am feeling depressed in my dressing room
Pressure's on, grateful for my blessings
I am under pressure but thankful for my blessings
Though I think I found success too soon
I feel like I found success too quickly
How could it be like this?
I am wondering how this is possible
Should've warned him if he got successful he might flip
I should have warned others that success can lead to negative consequences
Yeah my dreams are comin' true and all
My dreams are coming true
But who do you call
Who do you turn to
When it seems the weight of the world
When it feels like the world is weighing you down
Is glued to your balls
When you feel like you are carrying a heavy burden
I ain't being jokey, nigga this is serious
I am being serious
Running 'round in circles but my mind is the weariest
I feel exhausted from going around in circles mentally
Why am I delirious? I got everything a brother could
I am confused and don't understand why I feel this way even though I have everything I need
Ask for, feel like I'm being smothered in asphalt
I feel suffocated
'Cause I let my problems trample all over me
I am allowing my problems to overwhelm me
Too many straws have got my camel fallin' on his knees
Too many small issues have caused me to break down
For example I -- oh hold on, hold on...lemme take this drink, hol' up (pours drink)
I pause to take a drink before continuing my story
Finally got my wings unclipped but now I'm scared to fly
I am fearful of flying despite finally being able to spread my wings and succeed
But this ain't stage fright
It's not just stage fright
Nigga this is e'ry night
This is every night for me
Fans screaming, stampeding
The fans are getting unruly
Dan's speeding, movin' too fast
I am moving too fast
I can't even walk in the store anymore
I am no longer able to go out in public without attracting attention
Without a bunch of people standin' by the door
People are always waiting for me outside
Asking for an autograph, man I oughta spazz out
I feel like I can't handle the constant requests for autographs
But I gotta think about my daughter...
I have to be responsible and think about my family
Speakin' of her, me and her mother are goin' through some thangs
I am experiencing relationship issues with my daughter's mother
Ever since -- man fuck it, I gotta take...
I change the subject and take another drink
My momma said I'm actin' brand new
My mother believes that I have changed since becoming famous
Said the fame changed me
My mother thinks that fame has changed me
But that can't be true
I disagree with my mother's assessment of me
People that I used to call my buddy
People who were once my friends
Only actin' buddy-buddy
Only acting friendly because they want something from me
'Cause they want some money from me
Because they want money from me
And these honeys never came around before
Women who never showed interest in me before
Now I'm gettin' love from all these dames while I'm on tour
Now that I am famous, women show me affection while I am on tour
I wonder if they'd love me just the same if I was poor --
I question whether these women would still love me if I were not famous and rich
Yo, who's bangin' at my door?
I am distracted by a knocking at my door
("Six minutes, Danny Swain you're on!")
Someone is telling me it's time for me to perform
Man I ain't comin' out this room until my pain is gone
I refuse to perform until I feel better
I...I need a couple seconds to sit and drink
I take a moment to have a drink and collect myself
Uh, I mean THINK...damn I can't think
I am having trouble thinking straight
Damn, what was I thinkin', I'm drinkin' again
I realize that I am drinking again despite trying to think
Whether I sink or I swim, I know I gave it my best
I am content knowing that I have tried my best regardless of the outcome
Sometimes I -- I gotta, I gotta take another drink
I sometimes need another drink to cope
I'm lonely and I'm nervous and I'm scared
I feel lonely, nervous, and scared
Thought I wanted the fame, I guess I wasn't prepared
I thought I wanted to be famous, but I was not prepared for the challenges that came with it
To be an overnight sensation
To become famous overnight
I hoped that I could take it in stride
I hoped that I could handle it well
I went from open mics to Vegas and died
I went from performing in small venues to a big show in Las Vegas and did not perform as well as I hoped
Somewhere along the way; at least my sanity did
Along with my career, my sanity began to suffer
I didn't plan to be big, I just -- (sips drink)
I did not plan to become famous, it just happened
I just wanted to shine
I just wanted my talent to be recognized
wanted my rhymes to reach the people one at a time
I wanted my music to connect with people one by one
Funny how my small problems are all contributin'
It's interesting how small issues are adding up
To my biggest issue of all: my alcohol addiction
My biggest problem is my addiction to alcohol
Is it me or is it...is it gettin' dark in here?
I am wondering if it is getting dark or if it is just me
Oh...shit....
I am startled or frightened about something
Contributed by David Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.