The Ride
Drake Lyrics

Yeah
Introduction to the song

I hate when, I hate when people say they feel me man
Speaker dislikes when people claim to understand or relate to him

I hate that shit
Strong statement reaffirming his dislike

It'll be a long time before y'all feel me, if ever
Speaker doubts that he will ever truly be understood by others

For real
Sincere affirmation of what he has just said

You won't feel me 'til everybody
Speaker addressing the listener to make a point

Say they love you, but it's not love
Speaker believes that people who claim to love him do not truly mean it

And your suit is oxblood
Reference to clothing color - no deeper meaning

And the girl you fucking hates you
Speaker believes that the girl he is with does not like him despite engaging in sexual activity

And your friends faded off shots of
Reference to friends getting drunk

What you ordered to forget about the game that you on top of
Speaker suggests that he and his friends are drinking to forget the stress of being on top

Your famous girlfriend's ass keep getting thicker than a plot does
Speaker's famous girlfriend is gaining weight and becoming more famous

And when you forget it, that's when she pop up
Speaker's girlfriend only wants attention when he is neglecting her

And you got a drop but you ride around with the top up
Speaker has a nice car but keeps the top up, suggesting that he wants to be more private

Or get three SUVs for niggas dressed like refugees
References to buying expensive cars for friends who are not well-off

And deal with the questions about all your excessive needs
Speaker must answer questions about why he needs so much material wealth

And you do dinners at French Laundry in Napa Valley
Speaker dines at an upscale restaurant in California

Scallops and glasses of Dolce, that shit's right up your alley
Reference to expensive food and drinks that the singer enjoys

Yeah, you see a girl and you ask about her
Speaker is interested in talking to women

Bitches smiling at you, it must be happy hour
Speaker thinks that women are only interested in him because they want something from him

They put the cloth across your lap soon as you sat down
Reference to fine dining, where servers automatically place a napkin on your lap

It's feeling like you own every place you choose to be at now
Speaker feels like he belongs to the places he goes to

Walking through airport security with your hat down
Speaker is trying to be incognito at an airport

Instead of getting a pat down, they just keep on
Speaker is not getting checked by security, perhaps because he is a celebrity

Saying that they feel you, nigga
People are telling the singer that they understand him

It's been too long
Speaker is reflecting on how long it has been since he has done certain things

Been way too long
Speaker repeats the idea that it has been too long

I've been faded too long, oh
Speaker has been drinking or doing drugs for too long

Why won't it stop? The ride
Speaker is questioning why he can't stop feeling the way he does

You won't feel me 'til you want it so bad you tell yourself you're in it
Speaker believes that people will not understand him until they really want to

And tell the world around you that your paperwork is finished
Speaker's work or paperwork is completed and he can now enjoy his success

And steal your mother's debit cards so you maintain an image
Speaker may have resorted to illegal behavior to be able to maintain his image

And ride around in overpriced rental cars that ain't tinted
Speaker is spending money on rental cars that are expensive but don't have tinted windows

You need a minute? You got it
Speaker is reassuring someone that they can take their time

You know it's real when your latest nights are your greatest nights
Speaker believes that his best nights are also his latest nights

The sun is up when you get home, that's just a way of life
Speaker often stays out until the sun comes up, it is just something he does

Apartment 1503, some couches and paintings
Speaker's apartment has simple furnishings

When you record with two others that want the same things, yeah
Speaker is working on music with two other people who share similar goals

It start to feel better than home feels
Working on music starts to feel better than being at home

And so you up there every night, you swear you getting close
Speaker is optimistic about making progress with his music

That champagne money was for gas and phone bills
Speaker used money he had for champagne to pay for more practical things

But shit, you 'bout to spend it on what matters most
Speaker is going to use the money on something important to him

You drop a couple songs in hopes that you could be the nigga
Speaker is releasing music hoping that it will be popular

And come out every night to let the city see they nigga
Speaker is making appearances at events so the city can see him

Telling stories that nobody relate to
Speaker is telling stories that most people can't understand or relate to

And even though they hate you
Despite not understanding Speaker's stories, people still dislike him

They just keep on telling you they feel you, nigga
People are still telling speaker that they understand him

I haven't been inside Terminal 1 and 3 in so long
Speaker has not been in certain terminals at an airport in a long time

I'm driving right up to it now
Speaker is driving up to an airport terminal

Make sure you got your coat on
Speaker reminds the listener to wear a coat because airport runways can be cold

That runway can be cold especially after summer's rolled on
Speaker reiterates that airport runways can be cold

And all you knew is alcohol and city lights and slow songs
Speaker has been engaging in a lifestyle that includes drinking, staying out late, and listening to slow music

For four months out the year, it's got you asking what's good at home
In four months, speaker is asking what is going on at home

The same hoes are still at it, I shoulda known
Speaker realizes that the same women are still up to the same things

My young niggas popping M's and sipping dirty Jones
Speaker's friends are using drugs (perhaps molly) and drinking cheap gin

Problem children that all be repping October's Own
Speaker's friends represent his record label, October's Own

Brand new girl and she still growing
Speaker has a new girlfriend who is still young

Brand new titties, stitches still showing
Speaker's girlfriend has had breast augmentation and is still recovering

Yeah, and she just praying that it heals good
Girlfriend is hoping that her breast augmentation heals properly

I'm 'bout to fuck and I'm just praying that it feels good
Speaker hopes the sex will be good despite the girlfriend's recent surgery

I really don't know much but, shit, I know a secret
Speaker doesn't know a lot, but he has a secret

They say more money more problems, my nigga don't believe it
Speaker disagrees with the saying that more money will bring more problems

I mean, sure, there's some bills and taxes I'm still evading
Speaker is avoiding paying certain bills and taxes

But I blew six million on myself and I feel amazing
Speaker spent a lot of money on himself and feels great despite his financial concerns

Young money maker, season ticket holder
Speaker is young and successful, and has a season ticket to something

Season switching over
Reference to the changing of seasons

I come through them bitches still scorching as if I didn't notice
Speaker is still hot and successful despite the changing of seasons

You niggas getting older, I see no threat in Yoda
Speaker doesn't see what's so special about people who are getting older

I'm out here messing over the lives of these niggas
Speaker is negatively affecting the lives of his enemies

That couldn't fuck with my freshman floater
Speaker's enemies could not win against his success in the past

Look at that fucking chip on your nephew's shoulder
Speaker's nephew (or someone else's) is overly confident and arrogant

My sophomore, I was all for it, they all saw it
Speaker was successful in his second year of doing something

My juniors and senior will only get meaner
Speaker believes that he will continue to be successful in the future

Take care, nigga
Speaker is saying goodbye

I'm still faded, faded, faded (the ride)
Speaker is still drunk or high, continuing on his ride of life

Why won't it stop? The ride
Speaker continues to question why he can't get off the ride of life