In 2018, he released his third studio album, Some Rap Songs, which was his last album with Columbia; following it up with the EP Feet of Clay in 2019 on Warner Records. His latest album, Sick!, was released in 2022, also on Warner Records.
Ontheway!
Earl Sweatshirt Lyrics
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Do you niggas know? Alright
Check it out bro, bro, bro, bro
Look, uh, yeah, yeah
Uh, shit, uh, yeah
My mood really swinging, I peruse like a native would do
What I'm thinking I should do for the sake of myself
We stay on your ass
Your sense of safety melt in a flash, bang
Don't know what I'ma say
Cause I don't label the bags, I stay in 'em
See you shooting but your angles is trash
Don't play with us, I revisit the past
Port wine and pages of pads
Momma say don't play with them scabs
It's safe to say I see the reason I'm bleeding out
I need you now, closed lips make the mouth breathers frown
Two's a team, three a crowd
Twelve street, I kept some lean around
Help me, it's been a minute since I seen a decent count
The wealth be the labor's fruit
The loop hold up the belt, G's felt
All praises due, the juice unobtainable
Like Tang in the booth
Dark face on the news
Clouds grey on the move
On the way like the truth
Yeah, yeah, uh
I said the dark face on the news
Clouds grey on the move
On the way like the truth (on the way like the)
Yeah, clouds grey on the move
On the way with the
Earl Sweatshirt’s “Ontheway!” is a rap track that talks about his mood and thoughts. It starts with him asking if the listeners know something, he then begins to describe his mood, saying that he's really swinging and that he acts like a native by not wasting time. He decides to do what's best for himself and not play any games with his money. Earl then goes on to say that he stays on people's backs and that they feel unsafe around him. He talks about shooting angles and visiting the past, specifically referencing Port wine and pages of pads. He then discusses how his mother advised him not to play with scabs, and how he can see why he is bleeding out. He talks about needing help and how he hasn't seen a decent count in a minute. He then goes on to talk about the importance of the labor and how it bears fruit, being held by the loop, and how all praises are due. The song ends with Earl talking about the unobtainable juice that is like Tang in the booth, along with clouds being gray and the truth being on the way.
One of the interesting things about "Ontheway!" is that Earl Sweatshirt wrote and produced the song himself. Another interesting thing is that the song was released in 2019 as a part of Earl Sweatshirt's album "Some Rap Songs." The song was not released as a single, which is unusual for most albums. Another interesting fact is that Earl Sweatshirt collaborated with a group called Standing On The Corner for the album. The group's members played different instruments throughout "Some Rap Songs," adding a unique touch to the project. Earl Sweatshirt’s father, Keorapetse Kgositsile, a South African poet and political activist, passed away just weeks before the album's release, which contributed to the thematic heaviness of the songs.
In terms of chords, the song has a simple progression that repeats throughout the track. It starts with an E minor chord, then goes to an A minor chord, followed by a D minor chord, and ends on a G chord. The song is relatively easy to play for musicians looking to cover it.
In summary, Earl Sweatshirt's "Ontheway!" is a lyrically dense track that showcases his poetic abilities. The song touches on topics like self-preservation, the past, and the negative aspects of one's surroundings. The song's unique production and instrumental choices, along with Earl Sweatshirt's flow and wordplay, make it stand out amongst the various rap songs released in 2019.
Line by Line Meaning
My mood really swinging, I peruse like a native would do
I'm feeling a bit unpredictable, taking a casual stroll like a local resident
What I'm thinking I should do for the sake of myself
I'm contemplating what actions would benefit me most
No games with this cash, go play with yourself
I take my money seriously, don't waste my time with childishness
We stay on your ass
I'm constantly watching and monitoring the situation
Your sense of safety melt in a flash, bang
Don't feel too secure, things may change suddenly
Don't know what I'ma say
I haven't yet decided on my response
Cause I don't label the bags, I stay in 'em
I'm not concerned with identifying things, I remain immersed in the situation
See you shooting but your angles is trash
I can see you trying, but you're not very skilled
Don't play with us, I revisit the past
Don't test us, I have a history of coming back stronger
Port wine and pages of pads
I enjoy sipping wine and writing down my thoughts
Momma say don't play with them scabs
My mother warned me against messing with risky things
It's safe to say I see the reason I'm bleeding out
I can understand why I'm hurting and where it's coming from
I need you now, closed lips make the mouth breathers frown
I could really use your help, keeping quiet only upsets the ignorant
Two's a team, three a crowd
I prefer working closely with a small group rather than a large one
Twelve street, I kept some lean around
I used to keep some drugs on Twelfth Street
Help me, it's been a minute since I seen a decent count
Assist me, it's been a while since I've had a significant amount of money
The wealth be the labor's fruit
Money is the result of hard work
The loop hold up the belt, G's felt
The continuous cycle of earning money keeps us in a good position
All praises due, the juice unobtainable
I give respect where it's deserved, but sometimes success seems impossible
Like Tang in the booth
Success is elusive like Tang (a powdered drink) in a recording booth
Dark face on the news
The news is filled with negativity
Clouds grey on the move
The environment is changing, something is about to happen
On the way like the truth
Moving forward steadily, unveiling the facts
Yeah, clouds grey on the move
Yes, the atmosphere is changing
On the way with the truth
Progressing with honesty and accuracy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Giovanni Cortez, Sherman Willis, Thebe Kgositsile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Earl made it
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Sample
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We out here