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.
Red Water
Earl Sweatshirt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't know that I could leave
Pops called me king
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pop called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pop called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pop called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
In "Red Water," Earl Sweatshirt talks about his struggle as a young rapper in the music industry. The opening verse is about him feeling burdened by the responsibility of being a successful artist, but also feeling like he's sinking. He mentions his father calling him "king," which could be interpreted as a sign of respect and admiration or a reminder of his responsibility as a potential leader. Earl then switches to addressing someone he can see is lying to him, which shows that he is possibly paranoid and struggling to trust people around him. He also references being in a state of transition, with "23" possibly referencing a significant age or moment in his life.
The chorus repeats the same lines but replaces "king" with "chief." It's possible that these titles reference different aspects of Earl's personality or his relationships with others. He maintains his suspicion of those around him, with the "fingers on my soul" imagery indicating that he feels like people are trying to manipulate or control him. The line "blood in the water" could reference the idea that people are trying to take advantage of his vulnerability or weaknesses, while "walking in my sleep" could reference him feeling like he's not in control of his own life or career.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
Despite feeling weighed down and overwhelmed, I recognize my inherent strength and leadership qualities.
I ain't know that I could leave
I did not realize that there was a way out of my difficult situation.
Pop called me chief
My father recognized my leadership potential and addressed me as such.
Gotta keep it brief
I must be succinct and direct in my communication.
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
I am fully prepared for any deceitful behavior, and can see right through it.
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
I am acutely aware of my spiritual and emotional state, and am in my 23rd year of life.
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
There was danger and vulnerability around me, and I was not fully conscious of my actions and surroundings.
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
There is trauma and pain present in my family history that I struggle to confront and process.
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
I engage in mystical or spiritual practices, and keep my blessings and positive energy close to me at all times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thebe Neruda Kgositsile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Veckzy
I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pop called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve.
l-_olVlo_-l
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pops called me king
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pop called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pop called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
I know I'm a king, stock on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Pop called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lying through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walking in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playing with magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
Harry Tomkinson
[Verse]
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
VinhXo2k6
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
Yeah, I know I'm a king, stork on my shoulder, I was sinkin'
I ain't know that I could leave
Papa called me chief
Gotta keep it brief
Locked and load, I can see you lyin' through your teeth
Fingers on my soul, this is 23
Blood in the water, I was walkin' in my sleep
Blood on my father, I forgot another dream
I was playin' with the magic, hide blessings in my sleeve
kenneth phillips
With 8 bars he touches depression, guilt, remorse, drug addiction and pain of losing a parent... Earl is a KING 🤴🏾
SwitchB
@Adrian Tapia This beat is wild. He just isnt mature enough to understand the greatness.
SwitchB
@Rev Jragon lol naw. This is extremely creative. You just have really bad taste. Yoy can improve it though.
Random Raichu
@ih8beans amen
Adrian Tapia
@Rev Jragon That is so completely wrong. Everything about this beat is creative. One of the wildest beats on the album, the repetition is on purpose. Whether you like it or not is completely up to personal taste
Rev Jragon
Too bad the beat so repetitive, couldn't stand it, 0 creativity instrumentally
Mentalexwar
Met Earl after a concert and we had a 20 minute discussion about depression and anxiety where he gave me his number to keep in touch, which he did .. will forever have so much respect for him after that.
GhostPanda
That's so awesome that you got to connect with him. Earl seems like a really good dude.
Nicotine Cruz
@Mentalexwar holy shit earl hella cool for that
l0nly m1lk
dude earl seems like such a nice selfless guy. I'm glad to hear that u guys are always keeping in touch.