For Real
Jharrel Jerome Lyrics
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Even with these accolades
I don't know how to feel
Even all alone, I can't find any time to chill
All these eyes on me
I believe that looks could kill
To keep it real, to keep it real
Can't follow the wave
No longer the same
No longer the same, no
Dang, can't think of the fame
Can't think of the pain, no
But all my demons keep me eating
Every evening tell me, tell me, yeah
Just how to keep it real, yeah
Tell me how to keep it real, yeah
Yeah
Tell me how to be real for real
Tell me how to feel how I feel
Even in a world with money (money, money)
Everybody wanna chill where I chill
Tell me which chain should I cop?
Tell me who's boo should I grab?
Tell me who's name should I drop?
I'ma just do what you ask
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now, for real
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now, for real
Everybody wanna chill now, no
Everybody wanna chill now for real
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now
Never fake my energy
Never talk when I sip my Hennessy
Never break, my whip got better speed
No debate, I go ape with a melody
No flakes, no hate, no enemy
I'm just finna be real and you better believe
I got my girl looking better than me
You can focus on the Kims and the Bella Hadids
I ain't here to be the coolest
I ain't stupid, I ain't come for all the bougie clothes
I just gotta be the truest with the music
'Til I tell a story through a movie role
You can be another little man on Instagram
Or build your plan and stick the landing
Skip the gram and skip the mansion
Get your bands and keep your family like-
(Is you real Jharrel?)
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now, for real
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now, for real
Everybody wanna chill now, no
Everybody wanna chill now for real
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now
I feel like I'm surrounded by niggas
That get their ideas off IG
Whole personality's Twitter
I just see copies of copies
Your outlook gotta be bigger
They stacking bodies on bodies whenever I'm outside
You niggas only got something to say when there's WiFi
Shit, I've been on both sides
Crashing headfirst into road signs
Seen 'em come alive for a cosign
Seen they thoughts die, when they phone dies
Shit, I've been on both sides
Get the heel-toe on the borderline
Ducking fed time, ducking 45
For my own thoughts, I'm immortalized
Tell me how to be real for real
Tell me how to feel how I feel
Even in a world with money (money, money)
Everybody wanna chill where I chill
Tell me which chain should I cop?
Tell me who's boo should I grab?
Tell me who's name should I drop?
I'ma just do what you ask
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now, for real
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now, for real
Everybody wanna chill now, no
Everybody wanna chill now for real
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't gotta be real now
D-D-Daytrip took it to ten (hey)
In "For Real," Jharrel Jerome expresses his ambivalence towards celebrity and the pressures that come with it. Despite having achieved success, he admits that he is still unsure of how to feel about it, and cannot find the time to relax even when he is alone. He feels the weight of all the attention on him, and worries that the looks he receives could be deadly. He refuses to follow the wave and conform to what others expect of him. Instead, he wants to maintain a sense of authenticity and be true to himself, even in the face of fame and money.
The chorus of the song revolves around the idea that one does not have to be "real" in the conventional sense. Instead, Jharrel argues that being true to oneself is more important than trying to fit into society's expectations. He questions the materialistic values that often come with success, asking which chain he should buy, whose girlfriend he should pursue, and whose name he should drop. Ultimately, he decides to follow his own path and do what he believes is right.
Overall, "For Real" is a powerful reflection on the challenges of fame and the importance of staying true to oneself. Jharrel Jerome's soulful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics create a powerful message that resonates with listeners of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
To keep it real
To stay true to myself
Even with these accolades
Even with all the praise and recognition I've received
I don't know how to feel
I'm uncertain of my emotions
Even all alone, I can't find any time to chill
I struggle to relax, even when I'm alone
All these eyes on me
Everyone is watching me
I believe that looks could kill
I feel pressure to maintain a certain image
Can't follow the wave
I can't conform to what everyone else is doing
No longer the same
I've changed, I'm not who I used to be
Dang, can't think of the fame
I can't stop thinking about the fame and what comes with it
Can't think of the pain, no
I try to focus on the positives and not dwell on the negatives
But all my demons keep me eating
My personal struggles and issues consume me
Every evening tell me, tell me, yeah
Each night, my problems resurface and I have to face them again
Tell me how to keep it real, yeah
I'm searching for guidance on how to stay true to myself
Tell me how to be real for real
Teach me how to truly be authentic
Even in a world with money (money, money)
Despite the abundance of wealth in society
Everybody wanna chill where I chill
Everyone wants to be where I am and enjoy the same things I do
Tell me which chain should I cop?
Tell me which expensive necklace to buy
Tell me who's boo should I grab?
Tell me which attractive partner to pursue
Tell me who's name should I drop?
Tell me which famous person I should mention
We don't gotta be real now, no
We don't have to be authentic anymore
Never fake my energy
I refuse to pretend or fake who I am
Never talk when I sip my Hennessy
I don't want to say or do anything I might regret when I'm drinking
No flakes, no hate, no enemy
I don't have any fake or negative people in my circle
I'm just finna be real and you better believe
I'm committed to being true to myself and my values
I got my girl looking better than me
My partner is amazing and I'm proud of her
You can be another little man on Instagram
You can choose to be like everyone else on social media
Or build your plan and stick the landing
Or you can make your own path and succeed
Skip the gram and skip the mansion
You don't have to focus on social media or material possessions
Get your bands and keep your family like-
Focus on making money and taking care of your loved ones
(Is you real Jharrel?)
(Are you really true to yourself, Jharrel?)
I feel like I'm surrounded by n****s
I feel like everyone around me is fake
That get their ideas off IG
People who steal ideas from Instagram
Whole personality's Twitter
Their entire personality is based on Twitter
I just see copies of copies
Everyone is trying to copy each other
Your outlook gotta be bigger
You have to think beyond social media and material things
They stacking bodies on bodies whenever I'm outside
People are trying to bring me down and ruin my reputation
You n****s only got something to say when there's WiFi
People only talk behind my back when they're online
Shit, I've been on both sides
I've experienced both sides of success and failure
Crashing headfirst into road signs
Making mistakes and encountering obstacles along the way
Seen 'em come alive for a cosign
People get excited and act differently when someone famous endorses them
Seen they thoughts die, when they phone dies
People lose motivation when their social media presence fades
Get the heel-toe on the borderline
Navigating through life's challenges
Ducking fed time, ducking 45
Avoiding legal trouble and consequences
For my own thoughts, I'm immortalized
My true self and thoughts will live on forever through my music
D-D-Daytrip took it to ten (hey)
Credit to the music producers, Daytrip
Writer(s): David Biral, Jharrel Jerome, Denzel Michael-akil Baptiste, Vincent Goodyer
Contributed by Leo K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ericmiracle499
From films to music. Constantly elevating. Glad to see a brotha letting the world know his potential.
@TeeRql
jharrel don’t let this evil industry get to you. be safe and keep your sanity ❤️❤️❤️. dope song; the lyrics are very telling.
@AlatAMelanin
Yess 🙌🏾 but sadly once you sign you sold ya soul 😔
@lyn1215
righttttt!!!!
@ig3nt953
Guess you haven't seen Moonlight a lil too late
@TeeRql
@@ig3nt953 what?
@kennisjay
The mise en scene told me the whole story....the cost of fame is almost claustrophobic while being pulled is different directions to meet the demands. Exhaustion, loneliness, but still trying to be strong.... it’s ok to not be ok!! Thank you for this medium to let us in and feel out loud!!
@mr.krepshus1467
This is insane and truly inspiring. You’re an artist, an artist I’m telling you. The brightest future awaits you👌🏻🔥
@GrimKuro
I just have to say you're content is awesome!🔥🔥🔥
@mr.krepshus1467
@Jaze II Thanks man🙏