The song debuted and peaked on the Billboard charts at number 13, becoming one of his highest charting songs at the time of release. It was re-released to US Top 40/Mainstream radio on October 18, 2011. On July 18, 2011, Drake told The Invasion Radio Show that he was mixing a new single. Drake also revealed the name of the single on July 18 when posting the lone word "Headlines" on his Twitter account.
In an interview with Billboard, Drake talked about "Headlines" saying, "By no means is it the best song on my album, it's really just the song for this moment, right now." Drake talked about why he released the song as the first single saying: "I always try to put forth a song with a message. A lot of people pick their single by what's the strongest song. I don't really do that. I like to make sure that the content is very relevant to right now." Drake also said, "I want people to party to it but at the same time the fans, the people that care about my career, the people that follow me, will hear a message in it." Drake told MTV News in early September that "Headlines" was the perfect tune to launch the project: "I think it's great; the purpose of that record was solely to deliver a message", he said. "I could've gone with the record that was sort of super radio-friendly, but I really just wanted to talk to the people with the first record."
The first live performance of "Headlines" took place at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on August 4, 2011. On October 15, Drake made his Saturday Night Live debut in an episode hosted by Anna Faris and was set to perform "Headlines" as the musical guest of the week. On November 20, 2011, Drake sang "Headlines" at the American Music Awards of 2011. On December 31, 2011, Drake performed on Times Square a Medley of "Headlines" with "Make Me Proud" and "The Motto".
The music video was directed by La Mar Taylor and Hyghly Alleyne, both related to The Weeknd's "XO" crew. It officially premiered on October 2, 2011 on Vimeo. It doesn't feature anyone from Young Money, but has appearances by T-Minus, Noah "40" Shebib, The Weeknd, Boi-1da and Kromatik. It was shot in Canada, mainly in Toronto, Drake's home town. No narrative is followed, yet Drake is depicted rapping in different environments: in the center field of Toronto's Rogers Centre (as the stadium's scoreboard is lit up with the title of his November 15 album, "Take Care"). in front of a rundown building with the letters "OVOXO" (the name of Drake's crew: "October's Very Own" or "OVO" standing for Drake and "XO" standing for The Weeknd) sprayed in graffiti by 'Mer' on the wall; in the glass elevator of the C.N. Tower, going up, allowing few symbolic interpretations in relation to Drake's ascension to fame, the main topic of the song; at the head of a dining table, puffing on a cigar, Drake being dressed with an unprecedented retro as well as geeky style, with a knitted jumper and vintage half-tainted glasses; and most notably in front of Toronto's historic Guild Park, surrounded by his crew. The video shows obvious traces of sponsorship by Nike sportswear.
Overall the video for "Headlines" was received positively by most music critics. MTV commented on the video by saying "Headlines", like the previously released "Marvin's Room" video (also from Take Care), is set in Canada and gives a more intimate look into who the superstar rapper really is." Spin commented on the video by saying "the clip finally shows the perpetually conflicted star finally appearing to enjoy his success -- well, at least a little bit. Backed by imperial-style columns, standing in a vast but empty stadium, or chewing a stogie on the escalator at a high-rise office building, Drake looks every bit a leader, and he has a crew of solemn-faced men to back him up." Consequence of Sound commented by saying "if you want to smoke cigars while riding elevators and have posse meetups outside local monuments, Drake can show you the ropes. Most folks are lucky their name on a scoreboard for a birthday." Complex commented on the video by saying "Headlines takes us on a journey through Toronto: The city where he's from. Drizzy brings us high above ground level in the window-surrounded elevator of Toronto's CN Tower, to the Rogers Centre—home of the Toronto Blue Jays—and to the dinner table where he and his OVO crew puff fat cigars and sip expensive wines."
The song received positive reviews. According to Spin, the song "finds Drake ruminating on the ups and downs of celebrity." Spin also called the production matching "Drake's defiant tone with a martial beat and heavy staccato strings." The Huffington Post compared "Headlines" to "Marvin's Room" saying, "Whereas "Marvin's Room" is more devastating, "Headlines" doesn't dwell so much in its despair, and has the kind of flash you would expect a song titled "Headlines" to have." The Baltimore Sun said the song has "buoyant, staccato synth line and Casio snares" and that "The beat calls for such a sing-song flow that few rappers could tackle it." Rolling Stone gave the song three stars out of five, saying that "The spare beat never takes off, and the hook is a slight thing, almost an afterthought – or maybe the clearest sign that even with booze, cynics and fame buzzing about, hip-hop's great hope isn’t overeager to please."
The song debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 98 and has since reached number two on the chart. The following week, it debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. On the week of October 15, 2011 "Headlines" reached the top of the Hot Rap Songs chart which was his 10th time overall achieving this. With the ascension of "Headlines", Drake became the artist with the most number one's of all time on the chart; tied only with rappers Diddy and Ludacris. The single was eventually certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over four million digital copies in the United States.
Headlines
Drake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Overdosed on confidence
Started not to give a fuck and stopped fearing the consequence
Drinkin' every night because we drink to my accomplishments
Faded way too long, I'm floating in and out of consciousness
And they sayin' I'm back, I'd agree with that
I just take my time with all this shit, I still believe in that
I had someone tell me I fell off, ouh I needed that
I know I exaggerated things, now I got it like that
Tuck my napkin in my shirt, 'cause I'm just mobbin' like that
You know good and well that you don't want a problem like that
You gone make someone around me catch a body like that
No, don't do it
Please, don't do it
'Cause one of us goes in
And we all go through it
Drizzy got the money, so Drizzy gonna pay it
Those my brothers, I ain't even gotta say it
That's just something they know
They know, they know, they know
They know, they know, they know
They know, they know, they know
Yeah, they know, yeah
That the real is on the rise
Fuck them other guys
I even gave them a chance to decide
Now it's something they know
They know, they know, they know
Yeah, I be yelling out money over everything, money on my mind
Then she wanna ask when it got so empty
Tell her I apologize, it happened over time
She says they missed the old Drake, girl, don't tempt me
If they don't get it, they'll be over you
That new shit that you got is overdue
You better do what you suppose to do
I'm like, "Why I gotta be all that?" but still I can't deny the fact that it's true
Listen to you expressing all them feelings
Soap opera rappers, all these niggas sound like all my children
And that's who you thinking is 'bout to come and make a killing
I guess it really is just me, myself and all my millions
You know the game even got it like that
You gone hype me up and make me catch a body like that
'Cause I live for this, it isn't just a hobby like that
When they get my shit and play it, I ain't even gotta say it, they know
They know, they know, they know
They know, they know, they know
They know, they know, they know
Yeah, they know, yeah
That the real is on the rise
Fuck them other guys
I even gave them a chance to decide
Now it's something they know
They know, they know, they know
I be yelling out money over everything, money on my mind
(Mind, mind, mind)
Tell 'em I apologize, it happened over time
(Time, time, time)
They know
(They know, they know, they know)
(They know, they know, they know)
(They know, they know, they know)
Yeah
In the song Headlines by Drake, the rapper reflects on his rise to fame and fortune. He begins by acknowledging his own self-confidence, having become “strung out on compliments”. But this confidence has also led him to disregard the potential consequences of his actions, and he describes a lifestyle of frequent drinking and partying. Despite this, Drake asserts that he is still in control of his own life and career, taking his time with his music and dismissing anyone who doubts him. The chorus emphasizes this point, with Drake confidently declaring “the real is on the rise” and daring anyone to challenge him. He also notes that he has accumulated a significant amount of wealth and fame, but remains loyal to his “brothers” and the people who have supported him from the beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
I might be too strung out on compliments
I am becoming overly reliant on receiving compliments
Overdosed on confidence
I have an excessive amount of self-assurance
Started not to give a fuck and stopped fearing the consequence
I no longer care about the consequences of my actions
Drinkin' every night because we drink to my accomplishments
I am celebrating my successes by drinking every night
Faded way too long, I'm floating in and out of consciousness
I have been drinking for too long and I am starting to lose touch with reality
And they sayin' I'm back, I'd agree with that
People are saying I have come back stronger and I agree with them
I just take my time with all this shit, I still believe in that
I am taking things slowly and still have faith in my actions
I had someone tell me I fell off, ouh I needed that
Someone told me that I am not doing well and I needed to hear that to improve myself
And they wanna see me pick back up, well where'd I leave it at
People want me to start succeeding again, but I am not sure where to begin
I know I exaggerated things, now I got it like that
I admit that I may have exaggerated things, but now I am successful and have money
Tuck my napkin in my shirt, 'cause I'm just mobbin' like that
I am putting my napkin in my shirt like a boss
You know good and well that you don't want a problem like that
I am warning you that you do not want to mess with me
You gone make someone around me catch a body like that
If you mess with me or my friends, someone may end up dead
No, don't do it
I am warning you not to do anything to cause issues
Please, don't do it
I am pleading with you not to do anything to provoke me
'Cause one of us goes in
If you do something to cause issues, one of us will end up in trouble
And we all go through it
If one of us is in trouble, we must all face the consequences together
Drizzy got the money, so Drizzy gonna pay it
I have the money, so I will take care of any financial issues
Those my brothers, I ain't even gotta say it
These are my close friends, I do not need to explain that to anyone
That's just something they know
My friends and I have an unspoken bond
That the real is on the rise
Authenticity and realness are becoming popular again
Fuck them other guys
I do not care about other rappers, I am only concerned with myself
I even gave them a chance to decide
I allowed other rappers to make their choices about joining me, but they did not take the opportunity
Now it's something they know
They know they missed out on an opportunity
Yeah, I be yelling out money over everything, money on my mind
I prioritize money above everything else, it is always on my mind
Then she wanna ask when it got so empty
A girl is asking why my success feels empty to me
Tell her I apologize, it happened over time
I am sorry that I lost sight of what really matters, it happened gradually
She says they missed the old Drake, girl, don't tempt me
A girl is saying that people miss the old me, but I am not interested in going back to who I was before
If they don't get it, they'll be over you
If people do not understand your value, they will quickly forget about you
That new shit that you got is overdue
Your new material is not as impressive as it should be
You better do what you suppose to do
You need to fulfill your responsibilities and reach your potential
I'm like "why I gotta be all?" that but still I can't deny the fact that it's true
I do not understand why people perceive me a certain way, but I cannot deny that it is true
Listen to you expressing all them feelings
I am hearing you speak about your emotions
Soap opera rappers, all these niggas sound like all my children
Other rappers are like characters in a soap opera, they are not genuine
And that's who you thinking is 'bout to come and make a killing
You expect other rappers to be successful, but they are not genuine enough to achieve it
I guess it really is just me, myself and all my millions
I am succeeding because of my own hard work and wealth
You know the game even got it like that
The rap industry is designed in a way that allows people like me to succeed
You gone hype me up and make me catch a body like that
If you praise me too much, you may cause me to engage in violent behavior
'Cause I live for this, it isn't just a hobby like that
Music is not just a hobby, it is my passion and what I live for
When they get my shit and play it, I ain't even gotta say it, they know
When people listen to my music, they know it is authentic and they can connect with my message
They know, they know, they know
People understand and recognize my authenticity and success
Yeah, they know, yeah
Yes, people know and recognize my authenticity and success
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Aubrey Drake Graham, Noah James Shebib, Matthew Jehu Samuels, Anthony George Palman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aymoss MrPutit Mhiribidi
they kno
@DaKidGowie
To this day, I still feel this is Drake's best single.
@drpuggle123
same
@demon69120
It is definitely
@jiro7236
"They know, they know, they know."-Drake
@עידולין-ה5פ
Hotline Bling man
@theabsolute3561
+Da Kid Gowie i agree, i really like Over too though.
@gelatoman7066
That old drake was hitting different tho
@j.i.s.l178
🍿
... The old fake friends too...
@gelatoman7066
Julien Ibra SONGNE dam overdose on my conference on people that’s on me type shit fam