4422
Drake & Sampha Lyrics
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You say you changed but you never change up
44, 22
You build it up to break it halfway through
Just make the call, 22
But you're just the same as I ever knew
44, 22
Just make the call, 22
But you're just the same as I ever knew
44, 22
You build it up to break it halfway through
Just make the call, 22
But you're just the same as I ever knew
44, 22
You build it up to break it halfway through
Just make the call, 22
But you're just the same as I ever knew
44, 22
You build it up to break it halfway through
Just make the call, 22
But you're just the same as I ever knew
I know I fear trust
I know I fear fear too much
On my plate, lookin' up
Outer space, pearly gates
I'm runnin' but can't run away
You say you changed but you never change up
In “4422,” Drake explores the frustrating dichotomy of people who claim to have evolved or made changes for the better but continue to repeat the same patterns of behavior. The song title refers to the number Drake dials when he wants to get away and be alone. He’s feeling suffocated by the inability of someone in his life to truly change, despite their promises to do so. He talks about running away, but knows deep down that he can’t escape the situation. The repetition of the chorus “44, 22 / You build it up to break it halfway through / Just make the call, 22 / But you’re just the same as I ever knew” highlights this frustration and showcases how he has been trying to make it work.
The second part of the song features Sampha, who is known for his soulful and emotive voice. He comes in with a melancholic bridge, singing about fears and anxieties that mirror Drake’s feelings of being trapped. The lines “I know I fear trust / I know I fear fear too much / On my plate, lookin’ up / Outer space, pearly gates” highlight his inner turmoil and the weight of the situation. The song ends with Drake repeating the first verse, underscoring the cyclical nature of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm runnin' but can't run away
Despite my attempts to escape, I remain stuck in my current situation
You say you changed but you never change up
Although you claim to have changed, your actions demonstrate otherwise and you remain the same
44, 22
Repetition of reference numbers to emphasize a pattern or significance
You build it up to break it halfway through
You put effort into something only to later sabotage it before fully completing it
Just make the call, 22
Indication to take action and make a decision regarding a situation
But you're just the same as I ever knew
Despite any changes that may have occurred, you remain fundamentally the same person I have always known
I know I fear trust
I am aware of my fear of putting trust in others
I know I fear fear too much
I acknowledge that I possess an excessive fear of fear itself
On my plate, lookin' up
I am below something, desiring to reach the heights represented by what is on my plate
Outer space, pearly gates
Reference to the afterlife or the unknown beyond the mortal realm
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Francis Bach Hoang Nguyen-Tran, Sampha Lahai Sisay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind