Born in Tijuana, Mexico, he was raised between the borderlines of Southern California and Mexico. He began writing songs at 14.
Napster
Jean Dawson Lyrics
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Lights fading from the sun turns clouds blue
And all that I can focus in
All the blood under my skin
I don't need no medicine
I am not a regular kid
Cold sweats in my head
My heart and my throat and the world, my head
Hushed and alone in my room
Playing a cowboy with the pistol and the broom
I dance around, don't make a sound
Someone's under you
With a pitchfork and a red tail
Tell me something new
It means gold teeth don't tell secrets
Bust down Rolly leaks it
Disco ball these diamonds
3D printed MAC-11
Imagine if a nigga was tweakin'
Imagine if a nigga off the deep end
I'm playing with my shadow
Shiny boy, dead end to hallows
The lyrics of Jean Dawson's "Napster" are an introspective look into the mind of an artist dealing with the pressures of the music industry and the constant scrutiny from outsiders. The singer talks about the desire to escape into their own thoughts and leave the physical world behind. They wish to be left alone to find solace in playing around in their room, exploring their own mind without interruptions.
Despite the desire for solitude, the singer can't escape the constant anxiety and pressure that they feel on a regular basis. They describe feeling cold sweats, and the weight of the world heavy on their head. They also touch on the themes of secrets and the idea that wealth can't always buy happiness. The line "gold teeth don't tell secrets" could be interpreted as a reference to the fact that material possessions or appearance don't always equate to personal happiness. The singer acknowledges that it is hard to navigate these feelings and thoughts, revealing that they are "not a regular kid", and maybe burdened by the expectations placed on them by society.
The second half of the song depicts a dream-like state, where the singer imagines playing and dancing around in their room, but are constantly aware of an unknown presence lurking underneath them. They briefly touch on themes of violence, the possibility of being perceived as crazy, and the things that they've had to do to protect themselves. These lyrics suggest that despite any wealth, fame or success, artists often feel that they are still struggling to find a sense of safety in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Playing, wish I doze in my room
Quietly, I play alone in my room, hoping to drift off into sleep.
Lights fading from the sun turns clouds blue
As the sun sets, the sky starts to darken and the clouds take on a blue hue.
And all that I can focus in
The only thing I can concentrate on.
All the blood under my skin
I am completely in tune with all the sensations in my body.
I don't need no medicine
I don't require any medication to feel better.
I am not a regular kid
I am unique and different from others my age.
Cold sweats in my head
I am feeling nervous and anxious.
My heart and my throat and the world, my head
My heart is racing, my throat feels tight, and my mind is racing.
Hushed and alone in my room
I am quiet and by myself in my room.
Playing a cowboy with the pistol and the broom
I am pretending to be a cowboy, wielding a makeshift gun and using a cleaning tool for my horse.
I dance around, don't make a sound
I move freely, but I am careful to be silent.
Someone's under you
A hidden danger is lurking beneath me.
With a pitchfork and a red tail
The hidden danger may be a devil with a pitchfork and a red tail.
Tell me something new
This situation seems familiar, so I am asking for a fresh perspective or insight.
It means gold teeth don't tell secrets
The fact that someone has gold teeth does not reveal anything about their character or behavior.
Bust down Rolly leaks it
A fancy watch (Rolly) may attract attention and reveal personal information.
Disco ball these diamonds
Shiny jewels, like a disco ball, can be mesmerizing and distracting.
3D printed MAC-11
A computer-generated gun (MAC-11) is concerning because it can be easily acquired and may cause harm.
Imagine if a nigga was tweakin'
Consider the impact if someone were to lose control (perhaps due to drug use).
Imagine if a nigga off the deep end
Consider the impact if someone were to go completely crazy or have a mental breakdown.
I'm playing with my shadow
I am occupying myself with a harmless game that poses no danger or threat.
Shiny boy, dead end to hallows
A beautiful, glittering object (shiny boy) may be a superficial and empty pursuit that leads to nothingness (dead end) or an eternity in hell (hallowed ground).
Writer(s): Jonathan Joseph Hoskins, George Howard Michael Flint, Henry Peter Howard Flint, Jean Dawson
Contributed by Hudson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.