Devastated
Joey Bada$$ Lyrics


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I used to feel so devastated
At times I thought we'd never make it
But now we on our way to greatness
And all that ever took was patience
I-I-I-I used to feel so devastated
At times I thought we'd never make it, yeah
But now we on our way to greatness
And all that ever took was patience

Okay, just getting better each day
Stacking that cheddar, cheese cake
Looking up to the Lord, we pray
Trying to be my best each day
Until I'm laid to rest we lay, yeah
'Til the time being we lit
Hoping I don't let it get all in my head
I don't need money just to say that I'm rich
Couple little honeys wanna get in my bed
But they used to run from me when I had nothing
Now they want to fuck 'cause they see me stuntin'
Nigga came up off the hustling
Living in a life of lux and I'm feeling like the man
If you ain't in my Chucks, then you wouldn't understand homie
'Bout these rubber bands on me
Make her wanna dance for me
Probably leave her man for me
Standing in the stairs Goddamn
(She used to front way back, now she just a fan)

I used to feel so devastated
At times I thought we'd never make it, yeah
Now we on our way to greatness
And all that ever took was patience
I-I-I-I used to feel so devastated
At times I thought we'd never make it, yeah
But now we on our way to greatness
And all that ever took was patience

I put my pain in a cadence
Turn my brain up a wavelength
Now we're flowing the ceiling
So just go with the feeling
Baby soak up the vibe
Let's roll some dope up, get high
We gon' blow smoke in the sky
'Til we can't open our eyes

I put my pain in a cadence
Turn my brain up a wavelength
Now we're flowing the ceiling
So just go with the feeling
Baby soak up the vibe
Let's roll some dope up, get high
We gon' blow smoke in the sky
'Til we can't open our eyes

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Skr, skr

I used to feel so devastated
At times I thought we'd never make it, yeah
Now we on our way to greatness
And all that ever took was patience
I-I-I-I used to feel so devastated
At times I thought we'd never make it, yeah
But now we on our way to greatness
And all that ever took was patience

I used to feel so (so devastated)
At times I thought we'd (we'd never make it)




But now we on our way
And all that ever took was patience

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joey Bada$$'s "Devastated" represent the rapper's journey from a place of hopelessness to one of greatness. He reflects on the past when he felt devastated and hopeless, not thinking he would ever make it, but then he reminds himself that success has come from patience. He emphasizes the importance of trusting the process, working hard and being patient, which got him to where he is now.


In the first verse, Joey Bada$$ refers to his journey to success and how his hard work and patience have made him who he is today. He mentions how people used to ignore him when he didn't have a lot of money, but now that he is successful and has a lot of money and fame, women want him. The chorus emphasizes that it took patience to get to this point, and now he is on his way to greatness.


In the second verse, he speaks about using his pain as inspiration, elevating his thought process, and understanding the value of taking things slow. He also mentions enjoying both the journey and the destination, using the metaphor of smoking dope and being in a happy state of mind. Overall, the song represents a person's journey from despair to self-growth, and that in life, things can change beyond imagination.


Line by Line Meaning

I used to feel so devastated
Joey Bada$$ used to feel really upset


At times I thought we'd never make it, yeah
There were times he thought they wouldn't succeed


Now we on our way to greatness
They are succeeding and becoming great


And all that ever took was patience
All they needed was patience to succeed


Okay, just getting better each day
He is improving every day


Stacking that cheddar, cheese cake
He is earning and saving money


Looking up to the Lord, we pray
He prays to God


Trying to be my best each day
He tries to do his best every day


Until I'm laid to rest we lay, yeah
He will continue to work hard until the end of his life


'Til the time being we lit
They are successful and living well at the moment


Hoping I don't let it get all in my head
He worries about letting success go to his head


I don't need money just to say that I'm rich
He doesn't believe money equals success


Couple little honeys wanna get in my bed
Women are now interested in him


But they used to run from me when I had nothing
Women used to ignore him when he was poor


Now they want to fuck 'cause they see me stuntin'
Women are now attracted to him because of his success


Nigga came up off the hustling
He succeeded through hard work and determination


Living in a life of lux and I'm feeling like the man
He is now living a luxurious life and feels great


If you ain't in my Chucks, then you wouldn't understand homie
If you aren't in his shoes, you won't understand his success


'Bout these rubber bands on me
He has a lot of money now


Make her wanna dance for me
He can impress women with his wealth


Probably leave her man for me
Women might even leave their current partners for him


Standing in the stairs Goddamn
He is now successful and living well


(She used to front way back, now she just a fan)
Women who used to ignore him are now interested in him


I put my pain in a cadence
He deals with his pain through his music


Turn my brain up a wavelength
He focuses on his music to overcome pain


Now we're flowing the ceiling
He's succeeding in music and reaching new heights


So just go with the feeling
He tells his listeners to enjoy the music


Baby soak up the vibe
He encourages his listeners to enjoy the music


Let's roll some dope up, get high
He suggests smoking marijuana


We gon' blow smoke in the sky
They will smoke so much that smoke will fill the sky


'Til we can't open our eyes
They will continue smoking until they can't keep their eyes open




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JO-VAUGHN VIRGINIE, KIRLAN LABARRIE, POWERS PLEASANT, ADAM PALLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Kaizen671

Back in 2017 I listened to this song literally hundreds of times, grinding every free hour of every day for years at that point, trying to find a way to escape my soul crushing corporate job. I moved half way around the world away from friends and family just to focus. I was so damn stressed out for years...self-doubt, tears, no one taking me seriously, financial worry everyday, loneliness, sleep-deprived, missing out on memories with loved ones back home... just exhausted.

Fast forward to mid 2019, I ended up getting laid off from that soul crushing corporate job (blessing in disguise). So I decided to go all in on my side hustle and just a few months later, the damn global pandemic happened. I was stressed AF. But I honestly didn't have it in me to slap on my happy face and start job interviewing again. I was maxing out all of my credit cards & emptied my savings. Throw in some health scares , deaths of loved ones, among other personal things, and I was at yet another low point in life.

Fast forward to 2022, I have a growing business that generates way more income than my corporate job, I have the freedom to travel & work from anywhere in the world, earn money in my sleep on autopilot, in the best shape of my life, train muay thai & jiujitsu almost everyday, go on grand adventures, and spend quality time with family and a select group of friends. This year alone I've been to 8 countries and crossed off multiple items from my bucket list. I'm just so damn grateful. Goals can be a mirage because they constantly evolve as we do so. Sometimes we forget to pat ourselves on the back once in a while. I guess writing this right now is a bit of a pat on the back. Don't stop pursuing your dreams, but don't forget to cut yourself some slack along the way as it doesn't go exactly as planned -- it rarely does.

I'm at a place now where I'm ready to level up again... I still listen to this song on repeat - now envisioning even greater goals, and hope that I'll eventually come back to this comment thread to write about more blessings, trials, and tribulations that this song has pulled me through. Until then, GET AFTER IT.

Hoping everyone here all the blessings & success 💯



All comments from YouTube:

@Creci2

joey dont forget to bring that hardcore ship you used to give us.

good job, Respect

@teahilardelli3755

brung bvack the old joey yoooo

@blksqd8623

M̲i̲ ̲V̲e̲r̲s̲i̲ó̲n̲ ̲T̲v̲

@MrBluesman000

word bring that titanic fam

@lezvisuals9646

Y’all heard Joey coming out with a new album ? https://youtu.be/DvhuikaxtrY

@allrapnation

#BeastCoast Pro Era is holding it down.

@notyxngator8199

Omg it Rap Nation.

@norf7466

LONG LIVE STEELO

@notoriousjustin9657

#LONGLIVESTEELO!

@carloscarti428

LONG LIVE STEELO

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