Now or Never
Kendrick Lamar;Mary J. Blige Lyrics
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A'ight
One, two, three, go!
Waking up in a dream
Sleepwalking on another big stage
You never heard peace 'til you hear people scream
Your name in unison, I'm so far away
Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me
I can feel the energy in the air
It feel like I'm supposed to be here
Everywhere I go I'm getting so much love
Fans, the stars, everyone
Sayin' how they can't wait for the LP
And I'm gonna blow, hey believe in me
Feel so good in what you do
Helps somebody else get through
That's why I do the best I can
Because I know how blessed I am
I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better
A fool if I take it all for granted
A smart man if I keep my feet planted
To the earth 'cause the people that hurt can understand it
You speakin' outlandish
I'ma show you how to make it all work
Another planet, it's a short term goal for me
A record sold for me
It's just more of me in your ear
For you to hear Kendrick persevere
Defenses I feel relentless
Ambition with a clear vision
Takin' off I ain't takin' off these Pistons
I'm takin' off on the inner me, you're distance
Came across me, how much it'a cost me
To get you out my business
I said a planet is a short term goal, no sky is the limit
I'm past that, now pass that
Award, not one but four
Times two plus yours
I see myself performing there, (K.dot)
Sold out shows where the room is packed
Sitting at the Grammy's winning five awards
See myself on big billboards
Traveling around the world with endorsement deals
Can't imagine how it feels
That's why I'm smiling everyday
Because my dream ain't far away
I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better
You looking at me and you tell me I'm blessed
Calculated my steps, my heart, my breath
Breathe in lungs of a victory and vividly
You see me when at my best, my worst
This verse dedicated to the days that I slept
With a curse research my paid dues I'm reimbursed
I burst in the crowd with a voice and a crown
I'm a King on the prowl and I see mama smile
And I vow on the tape that I'll never break
You can break bread with me now
We can all take a bow on the edge of the pedestal
Then scream out loud that we made it off the avenue
And walked that mile
In the darkness I often sit back
And get lost in the rap that I wrote
When you told me that it spoke to your soul
I was talking to you
I was walking it through every ghetto
Tell success hello, we here
And I'm so happy I cry
'Cause I can't believe
All the things I ever wanted
Are finally happening for me
And it's so surreal
That I almost feel
That any minute I can wake up
From this fantasy
When you pray so hard
And you've come so far
And you know that it's the time for you to lift your bar
And I'm gonna do it, watch me!
I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better
I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better
The song "Now or Never" by Kendrick Lamar (ft. Mary J. Blige) is about perseverance and the pursuit of dreams. Kendrick describes himself waking up in a dream, sleepwalking on another big stage, and feeling so far away from the place he used to be while struggling to make it as an artist. He talks about feeling the energy in the air and how it feels like he's supposed to be there. The chorus repeats, "I'm so high, I can touch the sky, I know it's my time, and it's now or never," emphasizing the urgency of his pursuit.
Kendrick also acknowledges the importance of staying grounded and not taking everything for granted. He acknowledges that his success is temporary and that people who hurt cannot understand it. He talks about his ambition and clear vision, and how he's not taking off any pistons or slowing down despite his success. The second verse is dedicated to those days he slept with the curse, the days he paid his dues, and the days he burst onto the scene with a voice and a crown. He ends the song by saying he's so happy he could cry because all the things he ever wanted are finally happening for him.
Line by Line Meaning
Waking up in a dream
Starting to realize your dreams are coming true, but it feels like a dream
Sleepwalking on another big stage
Performing in front of large crowds feels like a surreal experience
You never heard peace 'til you hear people scream
Experiencing the euphoria of performing well onstage
Your name and your song, I'm so far away
Despite your success, you still feel disconnected from where you came from
From the place I used to be, struggling usually
Reflecting on the hardships that brought you to where you are now
Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me
Recognizing personal growth and feeling like success is destiny
I can feel the energy in the air
Noticing the positive vibes surrounding you
It feel like I'm supposed to be here
Having confidence that you are meant to be where you are in life
Everywhere I go I'm getting so much love
Feeling grateful for the support received from fans and peers
Fans, the stars, everyone
Everyone is showing love and support
Sayin' how they can't wait for the LP
Anticipation for an upcoming album release
And I'm gonna blow
Believing in the potential for great success
Feel so good in what you do
Finding joy in pursuing your passion
Helps somebody else get through
Knowing your work benefits and motivates others
That's why I do the best I can
Striving for excellence for personal and communal growth
Because I know how blessed I am
Recognizing and being grateful for one's good fortune
I'm so high,, I can touch the sky
Feeling on top of the world
I know it's my time
Believing this moment is a defining one's career
And it's now or never
Feeling like this is the moment to make it or break it
I'm so bright, I light the night
Feeling bright and capable of achieving one's dreams
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better
Experiencing a euphoric high and nothing can compare
A fool if I take it all for granted
Acknowledging the importance of appreciating success
A smart man if I keep my feet planted to the earth
Staying grounded despite success
'Cause the people that hurt can’t understand it
Those who wish ill towards you cannot relate to your success
You speakin' outlandish, I’m gonna show you how to make it all work
Proving, through one's actions, that success is possible
Another planet, it’s a short term role for me
Feeling like success is only temporary
A record sold for me, it’s just mo for me
The number of records sold adds little to one's self-worth
And you’re here for you too here, Kendrick, persevere
Encouraging oneself and others to persevere through hardships
Defenses, I yet feel relentless
Continuing to push forward despite obstacles
Ambition with a clear vision
Having clear goals and working to achieve them
Takin' off, I ain’t takin' off these pistons
Continuously striving for growth and success
I’m takin' off on the enemies, your distance
Focusing on success and leaving detractors behind
Came across me, how much it’d cost me to get you out my business?
Wondering about the price of getting detractors to stop interfering in one's work
I said a planet is a short term goal, no sky is the limit
Personal aspirations extend beyond what has been accomplished so far
I’m past that, now pass that
No longer satisfied with past accomplishments
A word not one but four times two plus yours
Making a statement with precision
I see myself performing at
Visualizing future success and happiness
Sold out shows where the room is packed
Desiring a popular and successful career
Sitting at the Grammy's, winning five awards
Aspiring to win multiple awards and be recognized for achievements
See myself on big billboards
Fantasizing about mainstream success
Climbing round the world would endorse me deals
Achieving global popularity and business opportunities
Can’t imagine how it feels
Wondering how success will feel
That’s why I’m smiling every day
Appreciating the present moment and anticipating future success
'Cause my dream ain’t far away
Having the confidence that success is within reach
You’re looking at me and tell me I’m blessed
Recognizing one's good fortune
Calculating my steps, my heart, my breath
Carefully considering one's actions and impact
Breath lungs of a victory and vividly you see me when I’m at my best, my worse
Being seen and remembered during life's highs and lows
This verse is dedicated to the days that I slept with the curse
Acknowledging the struggles and difficulties experienced on the way to success
Research my paid dues, I’m reimbursed
Recognizing the hard work and effort put in and receiving successful results
I burst in the crowd with a voice and a crown
Taking ownership of one's achievements and claiming a throne
I’m a king on a prowl and I see mama smile
Bringing joy to loved ones through success
And the vow I’m a take that I’ll never break
Making a promise to oneself to always strive for success
You can break bread with me now, we can all take a bow
Sharing success with others and celebrating together
On the edge of the pedestal and scream out loud
Celebrating and making the most of one's achievements
That we made it off the avenue, I walk then down, in the darkness
Overcoming obstacles and difficulties to achieve success
I often sit back and get lost in the rap that I wrote
Reflecting on one's growth and success through their music
When you told me that it spoke to your soul
Feeling a sense of fulfillment knowing others connect with one's art
I was talkin' to you, I was walkin' it through
Using one's music to connect with and inspire others
Heavy ghetto, tail of success, hello, we here
Overcoming adversity and celebrating achievements in spite of it
And I’m so happy I cry
Feeling overwhelmed with joy
'Cause I can’t believe
Feeling like success is too good to be true
All the things I ever wanted
Achieving long-held dreams and aspirations
Are finally happening for me
Experiencing the realization of one's hard work and effort
And it’s so surreal
Feeling like success is a dream come true
That I almost feel
Feeling a sense of disbelief at the good fortune
That any minute I could wake up
Feeling like success is too good to be true and could disappear at any moment
From this fantasy
Wondering if success is just a daydream
When you pray so hard
Working hard and hoping for success
And you’ve come so far
Recognizing the work and effort put in and the progress made
And you know, that is the time for you to lift your bar
Pushing oneself to the next level of success
And I’m gonna do it
Having the confidence to achieve even more
Watch me
A declaration to others that success will continue to be achieved
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Matthew Kahane, Jazmine Sullivan, Kendrick Lamar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind