The song is named after St. Tropez, France. While the verses could be about another relationship, St. Tropez has been used as a metaphor for fame and fortune in hip hop more than once.
During Cole’s "2014 Forest Hills Drive" Tour, he had been breaking down the song.
The album credits state that Rose “TS” Desandies, a member of Cole’s touring band, performed the background vocals in this song.
"St. Tropez" samples Mobb Deep’s "Give Up The Good’s (Just Step)", along with “That’s All Right With Me” and “Hollywood”
St. Tropez
J. Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to go to St. Tropez
Maybe I'll go maybe I'll stay
Maybe I'll stay
She asked me if I'm scared to fly
To tell the truth I'm terrified
I never been that high before
Very bad reason not to go
He's on his way, he's bout to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
He's on his way, he's bout to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
Show him the way, he's about to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
He's on his way, he's bout to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
Ay from the dark I showed you my scars and I told you girl, I won't lie
If we at war, then this is a war that I can't afford (No I, I, I)
I wanted more but that was before
Lord knows I'm torn, so I I cry
From the corner of my eye, baby
It's been hard for me to smile
Lately
It's been hard for me to smile
If you won't take me in your home
He's on his way, he's bout to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
He's on his way, he's bout to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
Show him the way, he's about to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
He's on his way, he's bout to get paid
He's on his way to Hollywood
In "St. Tropez," J. Cole expresses his desire to escape his problems and stresses by rolling up and smoking his sins away while contemplating traveling to St. Tropez. However, he's hesitant to make the trip and admits his fear of flying, which he describes as a terrible reason not to go. Furthermore, he opens up about his emotional struggles, telling a woman about his past scars and how it's been tough for him to smile lately.
The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "He's on his way, he's bout to get paid/ He's on his way to Hollywood," which is likely a reference to J. Cole's career trajectory and his aspirations to be successful in the entertainment industry. He seeks guidance and direction, hoping that someone will show him the way to achieving his dreams. Overall, the song reflects on themes of escapism, fear, emotional turmoil, and ambition.
Line by Line Meaning
Roll up and smoke my sins away
Trying to forget his sins and mistakes by smoking weed
I'd like to go to St. Tropez
He desires to go to a place of luxury and relaxation
Maybe I'll go maybe I'll stay
Unsure whether to indulge in his desires or not
Maybe I'll stay
Perhaps he's comfortable with his current situation and doesn't want to risk it
She asked me if I'm scared to fly
Someone's questioning his courage to take risks and fly out to new places
To tell the truth I'm terrified
Admitting that he has a fear of flying
I never been that high before
Referring to the high altitude of a plane
Very bad reason not to go
Acknowledging that his fear is not a good enough excuse to hold him back
Terrible reason not to go
Further emphasizing that it's a terrible excuse not to go
He's on his way, he's bout to get paid
He's headed towards success and getting paid for his endeavors
He's on his way to Hollywood
His success is leading him towards the spotlight and the entertainment industry
Ay from the dark I showed you my scars and I told you girl, I won't lie
He's opened up to someone about his past trauma and mistakes with honesty
If we at war, then this is a war that I can't afford (No I, I, I)
If there's conflict, he can't afford to lose or go through it again
I wanted more but that was before
He used to want more but has come to accept his current situation
Lord knows I'm torn, so I I cry
He's emotionally conflicted and expresses his pain through tears
From the corner of my eye, baby
Someone is watching him struggle and suffer
It's been hard for me to smile
His emotional pain has affected his ability to be happy and positive
If you won't take me in your home
If someone won't accept him into their life and give him refuge
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Spirit Music Group, Missing Link Music
Written by: DAVID JAMES WOLINSKI, DEON S. WILLIAMS, DEWAYNE WILLIAMS, JASMIN PENELOPE CHARLES, JERMAINE L. COLE, JOSH SKILS, LOUIS ANDRE FISCHER, MAYFIELD WORTH JR. SMALL, WARREN III, WELDON JOHNATHAN JR. IRVINE
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