When You're Gone
G-Eazy Lyrics


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Shoutout Dakari
Shoutout Ed, shoutout Jesse, shoutout The Game
It's like we always do it this time
Just take it to myself like, yeah, uh

Starin' at a blank canvas
Thinkin' about what should I write, should I plan this?
Reminiscing 18, a freshman on campus
With dreams so big, nobody understands us
'Til they came true, started goin' bananas
Somewhere along the road, I got us as lost as Atlantis
Benders in Vegas, drinking under cabanas
The medicine for breakups, take the pills life hand us
No sleep, I been up for a couple of days
Can't nobody talk to him, been stuck in my ways
They say it's "unsustainable", but fuck it, it pays
Results and results, keep runnin' in place
I see the writing's on the wall, the shit's getting clear
My new girl says she love me, but I don't even hear her
I can't even drive a Jag', that shit is inferior
Only time I see a threat, when I look in the mirror (yeah)

They only love you (ayy) when you're gone
It don't matter where you're goin', (uh) yeah (you know)
But I did it on my own
So I'd rather be alone, yeah (I'd rather be alone, uh)
They only love you when you're gone
It don't matter where you're goin' (yeah), yeah (uh)
But I got it on my own, so I'd rather die alone (yeah)

Yeah, the greatest gift is knowledge itself
They fail to talk about my journey with mission and wealth
I made it here all by my lonely, no askin' for help
What if my debut never dropped and got kept up on a shelf
Uh, from the soil, grew it slowly
A black leather, slicked back, they want the old G
"Things are happening again", that's what they told me
I came home, full circle, not as an OG
Blink my eyes to my surprise, I'm in Tokyo
20,000 in the crowd singing every quote
Blink again and they kickin' me out of Canada
I swear you wouldn't have the stomach or the stamina
Yeah, my shoulders carry over 20 tons
Biggie said it's mo' problems when the money comes
My songs speak to the greats, yeah, the one-of-ones
I'ma go out as a legend when it's said and done (yeah)

They only love you when you're gone
It don't matter where you're goin', (where you go, uh) yeah
But I did it on my own (on my own)
So I'd rather be alone, yeah (I'd rather be alone, yeah)
They only love you when you're gone (yeah)
It don't matter where you're goin', yeah
But I got it on my own, so I'd rather die alone

Yeah, who put this shit together? I put this shit together
I'ma wear all my chains like some Olympic medals
They think it's all a game, so I'm thinkin' winning record
They thinkin' Kurt Cobain, but I'm thinkin' living legend
I'm straight to the Hall Of Fame, from the hallways of the ghetto
It's fuck the world, fuck 12, since I was like ten, eleven
I built the whole fuckin' mountain, I started out with a pebble
That money talk, that's a convo
If you broke then that's a lecture
I does me, 'cause only God can judge me
Nigga, trust me, only I can trust me
Yeah, it's just me, and the skies above me
But I dug deep, now close your eyes and come see
Will they love me when I'm gone? Will they know me?
Do they love me when I'm home or when I'm OT?
I'm here, and I don't know how long before I won't be
So when I'm gone, how long will they mourn me? (Yeah)

They only love you when you're gone
It don't matter where you're goin', (where you go) yeah
But I did it on my own (on my own)
So I'd rather be alone, yeah
They only love you when you're gone (Wayne, I appreciate you more than you'll ever understand)
It don't matter where you're goin', yeah (you know, a hero of mine)
But I got it on my own, so I'd rather die alone (uh)

Yeah, uh, never finished, tryna search for more
Fuck a hit, this shit is what I do it for
So these bars will always be apart of me
Right now, I feel like track two on Tha Carter III
Uh, like I'm 2008 NOLA
This shit was bubblin' and I don't even drink soda
The whole industry was givin' me a cold shoulder
And now my record label needs me to make quota
Yeah, this all facts and every bar is real
Twenty years, pray to God I'm makin' art still




I'm letting everything go like a yard sale
'Cause these songs will beat longer than my heart will

Overall Meaning

The song "When You're Gone" by G-Eazy and Lil Wayne is a reflective track that delves into the challenges of fame, and the impact that it has on relationships. The song opens up with G-Eazy giving a shoutout to Dakari, Ed, Jesse, and The Game, before launching into a thoughtful exploration of his journey as a musician. He reflects on his early days as a freshman on campus with big dreams and nobody to understand them. Somewhere along the way, his dreams came true, but he lost himself and became as lost as Atlantis.


G-Eazy then goes on to detail the excesses of fame, with benders in Vegas and drinking under cabanas. Despite the allure of the lifestyle, he admits that it can be unsustainable, but the rewards make it worth it. He sees the writing on the wall that his fame is fleeting, and his new girl says she loves him, but he doesn't even hear her because he is so caught up in his own world. They only love you when you're gone, no matter where you're going.


Throughout the song, Lil Wayne provides a powerful counterpoint to G-Eazy's musings, with his own unique perspective on the music industry. He talks about the journey of building himself up from scratch, with no one to help him. He has been in the game for so long that he is now a living legend, always thinking about the next win. He wonders if people will continue loving him when he's gone or if they only love him when he's present. The song ultimately ends with G-Eazy realizing that his music will outlast him, and he prays to God that he will still be making art after 20 years.


Line by Line Meaning

Shoutout Dakari
Acknowledging Dakari


Shoutout Ed, shoutout Jesse, shoutout The Game
Acknowledging Ed, Jesse, and The Game


It's like we always do it this time
It feels like we've been here before


Just take it to myself like, yeah, uh
Keeping thoughts to myself


Starin' at a blank canvas
Staring at a blank piece of paper


Thinkin' about what should I write, should I plan this?
Thinking about what to write and if it should be planned


Reminiscing 18, a freshman on campus
Remembering being an 18-year-old freshman on campus


With dreams so big, nobody understands us
Having big dreams that others can't relate to


'Til they came true, started goin' bananas
Going crazy once dreams become reality


Somewhere along the road, I got us as lost as Atlantis
Getting lost on the journey towards success


Benders in Vegas, drinking under cabanas
Partying in Las Vegas


The medicine for breakups, take the pills life hand us
Using partying as a way to cope with breakups


No sleep, I been up for a couple of days
Not having slept for a few days


Can't nobody talk to him, been stuck in my ways
Not wanting to listen to anyone else


They say it's "unsustainable", but fuck it, it pays
Ignoring the negatives and focusing on the monetary reward


Results and results, keep runnin' in place
Working hard and not seeing progress


I see the writing's on the wall, the shit's getting clear
Seeing the impending end clearly


My new girl says she love me, but I don't even hear her
Ignoring love interests


I can't even drive a Jag', that shit is inferior
Not placing value in material possessions


Only time I see a threat, when I look in the mirror (yeah)
Only feeling threatened by oneself


They only love you (ayy) when you're gone
People only appreciate you when you're no longer around


It don't matter where you're goin', (uh) yeah (you know)
It doesn't matter where you're headed


But I did it on my own
Achieved success independently


So I'd rather be alone, yeah (I'd rather be alone, uh)
Preferring to be alone


It don't matter where you're goin' (yeah), yeah (uh)
Where you're headed doesn't matter


But I got it on my own, so I'd rather die alone (yeah)
Achieved success independently and doesn't need anyone


Yeah, the greatest gift is knowledge itself
The greatest gift is knowing and understanding


They fail to talk about my journey with mission and wealth
People ignore the struggles and success on the journey


I made it here all by my lonely, no askin' for help
Achieved success independently without asking others for help


What if my debut never dropped and got kept up on a shelf
Wondering what would happen if success never came


Uh, from the soil, grew it slowly
Started from the bottom and grew slowly


A black leather, slicked back, they want the old G
People want the old version of the artist


"Things are happening again", that's what they told me
People are noticing the artist's success


I came home, full circle, not as an OG
Returning home as a successful artist


Blink my eyes to my surprise, I'm in Tokyo
Being shocked at success in Tokyo


20,000 in the crowd singing every quote
Fans singing lyrics in a packed venue


Blink again and they kickin' me out of Canada
Being forced to leave Canada


I swear you wouldn't have the stomach or the stamina
Others wouldn't be able to handle the pressure


Yeah, my shoulders carry over 20 tons
Feeling the weight of success


Biggie said it's mo' problems when the money comes
Success brings its own new problems


My songs speak to the greats, yeah, the one-of-ones
Art resonates with those at the top


I'ma go out as a legend when it's said and done (yeah)
Leaving a legacy and being remembered as a legend


So I'd rather be alone, yeah
Preferring to be alone


Wayne, I appreciate you more than you'll ever understand
Appreciating Lil Wayne


It don't matter where you're goin', yeah
Where you're headed doesn't matter


But I got it on my own
Achieved success independently


So I'd rather die alone, uh
Preferring to be alone even in death


Yeah, uh, never finished, tryna search for more
Never satisfied and always searching for more


Fuck a hit, this shit is what I do it for
Not chasing hits, just doing what the artist loves


So these bars will always be a part of me
Creating lyrics that will always be with the artist


Right now, I feel like track two on Tha Carter III
Feeling successful like Lil Wayne's album


Uh, like I'm 2008 NOLA
Feeling nostalgic for 2008 New Orleans


This shit was bubblin' and I don't even drink soda
Success was evident even without promotion


The whole industry was givin' me a cold shoulder
Being ignored by the industry


And now my record label needs me to make quota
Now, the record label needs the artist to meet sales goals


Yeah, this all facts and every bar is real
Being authentic and truthful in lyrics


Twenty years, pray to God I'm makin' art still
Hoping to continue making music for years to come


I'm letting everything go like a yard sale
Letting go of the past and moving on


'Cause these songs will beat longer than my heart will
Creating music that will live beyond the artist's life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gerald Gillum, Brian Chew, Dakari Gwitira, Nick Brongers, Jesse Ackerman, Edgar Machuca, Dwayne Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@PowfuOfficial

two legends

@Zoxies

sup

@MiniSwifanime

True..

@ynobigreck

👑

@zaforahmed174

two mfking dealer

@vishalramadhin1261

@Blue Haze are you mad

29 More Replies...

@goosenutz2502

It’s crazy how we never lost Wayne. The world is grateful 🙏🏻

@MiNoGanG

My boy dropped 4 features last night 😂🔥

@stillpimpin9341

🔥🔥 https://youtu.be/PXCjbNU2SL4 🔥🔥🔥

@ChrisxNetter

Underrated comment! & this applies to a few artists truthfully 🙏🏾❤️

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