BOY HOOD
Jon Batiste Lyrics

Like, you, he seen come along way
He has witnessed your progress and development over time, just as you have seen his growth and evolution

Like, he seen you come along
He has observed your journey and change, just as you have seen his experience and transformation

Like, boy, I see you
I recognize and acknowledge your achievements and success, young man

You shinning like new money
You are sparkling and shining like freshly printed dollars, radiating with success and prosperity

Shine like new money
Keep shining and glowing like a newly minted currency, displaying your hard-earned wealth and abundance

You doing good for yourself, huh?
You are doing extremely well for yourself, aren't you?

I'm proud of you, boy
I am filled with pride and admiration for you, young man

But, that's the energy you know?
However, that is simply the vibe and aura you exude, isn't it?

Candy cane
A sweet, striped confectionery often enjoyed during Christmas time

Jump rope
A rope used for jumping and exercising, often associated with children's games and activities

Cornbread and pig lip
A dish that combines cornbread with pig lips, often found in Southern cuisine

Hot fries
A popular snack food consisting of fried potatoes flavored with spices and seasoning

Holy water
Water blessed by a priest or religious figure, often used in various religious ceremonies and rituals

Superdome cheese dip (that's right)
A cheese dip served at the Superdome stadium in New Orleans, renowned for its deliciousness

Perched on da fence (uh huh)
Sitting atop a fence, perhaps observing or waiting for something to happen

Po'boys in da yard
A type of sandwich typically consisting of meat or seafood served on French bread, enjoyed in a backyard setting

Don't mess with my rug
Do not disturb or interfere with my carpet, which may hold sentimental or emotional value

Or my season salt, boy
Likewise, do not touch or tamper with my seasoning salt, young man

I know where he be, know where he come from
I am familiar with his whereabouts and origins

Hot boy, taking over for the twenty-two thousands
A talented and successful individual who is dominating and leading the way for others

Uh, na na, na na, No Limit soldier
A reference to the No Limit music group and their hit song 'No Limit', incorporating their signature vocalizations

Home is where the heart stay
One's true home is where their heart resides, where they feel loved and comfortable

Where the Pelicans and the Saints play
Referring to the professional sports teams in New Orleans, highlighting the local pride and spirit

The eagle land on Frenchmen
An eagle perching on the street named Frenchmen, perhaps as a metaphor for the freedom and beauty of New Orleans

And the sparrow land on Sunday (I know he watching over me)
A sparrow landing on Sunday, symbolizing the idea of divine providence and protection

When Pop Pop wouldn't give me ends (wouldn't give me ends)
When my grandfather refused to give me money or financial assistance

Grandma was a ATM (was a ATM)
My grandmother served as an automatic teller machine, always having money for me when I needed it

Buying bubble gum and M&M's (M&M's)
Purchasing treats like bubble gum and M&Ms for me to enjoy

I just had to rot my teeth out
I consumed so much candy and other sugary foods that it led to tooth decay

Basketball under the treehouse
Playing basketball beneath the treehouse, a common childhood activity

Too short to catch a rebound
Being too small and not tall enough to successfully retrieve the ball after a missed shot

Maybe that wasn't my callin'
Perhaps basketball was not my true calling or passion

But you could still see me ballin'
Regardless, you could still witness me playing basketball and enjoying myself

From New York down to New Orleans
From the northern city of New York to the southern city of New Orleans

Could still see me ballin'
You could still observe me playing basketball, no matter where I was

Popeyes when they had that red white and blue bag
Referring to a particular era of packaging for the popular fast food restaurant Popeyes

Puttin' on that Sportin' Waves underneath my durag
Using a specific brand of hair product called Sportin' Waves, which was applied before putting on a durag for styling and maintenance purposes

If yo' line pushed back, or your shoes dirty
If your hairline was receding or your shoes were unclean and worn out

Don't come around here, best stay home, heard me?
Do not come to this location or interact with me if you do not meet certain appearance standards

It's the time of dem naturals, Priestly, Satchel
Referring to a certain fashion style that values natural hair and wearing spiritual or religious clothing items like Priestly robes and Satchels

Bayou Maharajahs, Nat King and Satchmo
Mentions several legendary musicians from Louisiana, including jazz pianist James Booker (known as the Bayou Maharajah), Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong (known as Satchmo)

If you see him then and even if you see him now
Whether you saw him in the past or you see him currently

It's the same Jon Jon
Referring to the artist Jon Batiste himself and how he has remained true to himself over time

With that same gold crown, you heard me?
Having a similar level of success and honor, represented by a symbolic gold crown

I can still remember the mornings (yeah, yeah)
I can still recall and cherish the memories of the mornings in my childhood

Breakfast cooking, half asleep and still yawnin'
The comforting and familiar experience of waking up to the smell of breakfast being cooked, feeling groggy and drowsy

It's time for Zulu so we better get goin'
A reference to the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and their Mardi Gras parade, signaling the need to hurry and prepare for the celebration

No place like New Orleans, yeah
There is no other city or location that compares to New Orleans in terms of culture, tradition, and spirit

Ayy, I said I'm far from home but I always represent, yeah, huh
While he may not currently reside in his hometown, he always stays true to his roots and proudly represents where he comes from

I thought I had so much time, I don't know where it went
He used to believe that he had an abundant amount of time to achieve his goals and pursue his dreams, but he is now unsure where all that time has gone

But now that I'm grown I know what it all meant, ayy
Having matured and gained more perspective, he now understands the significance and purpose of his experiences and accomplishments

You could still see me ballin'
Reiterating that regardless of where he is, he still enjoys playing basketball and demonstrating his skills

Go ahead P.J.
Encouraging his collaborator PJ Morton to take the lead and continue the energy and vibe of the song

Trombone Shorty and them boys
Acknowledging and giving credit to musician Trombone Shorty and others who may have contributed to the song

Haha
An exclamation of amusement or joy, perhaps reflecting the fun and light-hearted nature of the song

You could still see me ballin'
Emphasizing once again that he enjoys playing basketball and showcasing his abilities, no matter where he may be