For Sale?
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What's wrong nigga?
I thought you was keeping it gangsta?
I thought this what you wanted?
They say if you scared go to church
But remember
He knows the bible too

My baby when I get you get you get you get you
I'ma go head to ride with you
Smoking lokin' poking the deja till I'm idle with you
'Cause I (want you)
Now baby when I'm riding here I'm riding dirty
Registration is out of service
Smoking lokin' drinking the potion you can see me swerving
'Cause I (want you)
I want you more than you know

I remember you took me to the mall last week baby
You looked me in my eyes about 4 5 times
Till I was hypnotized then you clarified
That I (want you)
You said Sherane ain't got nothing on Lucy
I said you crazy
Roses are red violets are blue but me and you both pushing up daisies if I (want you)

My baby when I get you get you get you get you
I'ma go head to ride with you
Smoking lokin' poking the deja till I'm idle with you
'Cause I (want you)

You said to me
You said your name was Lucy
I said where's Ricardo?
You said oh no, not the show
Than you spit a little rap to me like this
When I turned 26 I was like oh shit
You said to me
I remember what you said too, you said
"My name is Lucy, Kendrick
You introduced me Kendrick
Usually I don't do this
But I see you and me Kendrick
Lucy give you no worries
Lucy got million stories
About these rappers I came after when they was boring
Lucy gone fill your pockets
Lucy gone move your mama out of Compton
Inside the gi-gantic mansion like I promised
Lucy just want your trust and loyalty
Avoiding me?
It's not so easy I'm at these functions accordingly
Kendrick, Lucy don't slack a minute
Lucy work harder
Lucy gone call you even when Lucy know you love your Father
I'm Lucy
I loosely heard prayers on your first album truly
Lucy don't mind 'cause at the end of the day you'll pursue me
Lucy go get it, Lucy not timid, Lucy up front
Lucy got paper work on top of paper work
I want you to know that Lucy got you
All your life I watched you
And now you all grown up then sign this contract if that's possible"

Get you get you get you get you
I'ma go head to ride with you
Smoking lokin' poking the doja till I'm idle with you
'Cause I (want you)
Now baby when I'm riding here I'm riding dirty
Registration is out of service
Smoking lokin' drinking the potion you can see me swerving
'Cause I (want you)

I remembered you was conflicted
Misusing your influence, sometimes I did the same
Abusing my power full of resentment
Resentment that turned into a deep depression
Found myself screamin' in the hotel room
I didn't wanna self destruct
The evils of Lucy was all around me




So I went runnin' for answers
Until I came home

Overall Meaning

The song "For Sale?" by Kendrick Lamar portrays the dialogue between him and what seems to be a female manifestation of the devil or temptation, Lucy. The song is complex and features several interpretations. One possible meaning is that Kendrick is exploring his relationship with the devil and how she tries to tempt him away from his faith. Lucy attempts to seduce Kendrick with promises of material possessions and worldly success but, in the final verse, he remembers the negative impact that giving in to temptation can have and that there is no salvation in spiritual corruption.


The first part of the song sees Kendrick resisting temptation and mocking those who claim to be gangster until they are faced with real horror. He affirms that the devil knows the Bible too, indicating that just because one is well-versed in scripture does not mean that they are free of temptation.


The middle of the song features Lucy's seduction of Kendrick, with her promises of material gain and her control over him. Throughout, Kendrick uses poetic language and fluctuating cadence to underscore the struggle between faith and temptation. The beat between verses changes to reflect the negotiation that is happening lyrically, with Lucy's voice omnipresent in the background throught. The final verse sees Kendrick turning away from temptation and trying to find answers in his faith.


Line by Line Meaning

What's wrong nigga?
Lucy is asking Kendrick what's wrong when he seems to be hesitant on signing her contract.


I thought you was keeping it gangsta?
Lucy thought Kendrick was keeping it gangsta by being his true self, but now she's not so sure.


I thought this what you wanted?
Lucy thought what she had to offer Kendrick was what he wanted, but now she's questioning if that is true.


They say if you scared go to church
People say that if you're scared or need guidance, you should turn to religion and attend church.


But remember
Lucy is reminding Kendrick to remember something important before he goes to church.


He knows the bible too
Lucy wants Kendrick to remember that even though he's going to church for guidance, she also knows the bible and can lead him astray with her own tricks and manipulations.


My baby when I get you get you get you get you
This line is a repetition of the hook in the song, which is about wanting Lucy and all the things Kendrick will do for her.


I'ma go head to ride with you
Kendrick is willing to ride with Lucy and do whatever it takes to be with her.


Smoking lokin' poking the deja till I'm idle with you
Kendrick will smoke, drink, and do drugs with Lucy until they are both idle together, just to be with her.


'Cause I (want you)
Kendrick wants Lucy and is willing to do whatever it takes to be with her.


You said Sherane ain't got nothing on Lucy
Lucy thinks she is better than Sherane and has more to offer Kendrick.


I said you crazy
Kendrick thinks Lucy is crazy for believing that Sherane has nothing on her.


Roses are red violets are blue but me and you both pushing up daisies if I (want you)
Kendrick is saying that if he wants Lucy and she wants him, they will both end up dead before they'll stop fighting for each other.


You said to me You said your name was Lucy
Lucy introduces herself to Kendrick and starts to pitch her offer to him.


Lucy give you no worries Lucy got million stories About these rappers I came after when they was boring Lucy gone fill your pockets Lucy gone move your mama out of Compton Inside the gi-gantic mansion like I promised Lucy just want your trust and loyalty
Lucy promises to take care of Kendrick and give him everything he wants in exchange for his trust and loyalty. She has millions of stories about rappers she helped to achieve success and will make sure Kendrick's mother leaves Compton to live in a mansion like she promised.


Avoiding me?
Lucy is questioning if Kendrick is avoiding her and trying to back out of their deal.


It's not so easy I'm at these functions accordingly Kendrick, Lucy don't slack a minute Lucy work harder Lucy gone call you even when Lucy know you love your Father
Lucy reminds Kendrick that she is always around and working hard and even when he's with his father, she will still call him and make sure he's focused on achieving his goals.


I'm Lucy I loosely heard prayers on your first album truly Lucy don't mind 'cause at the end of the day you'll pursue me Lucy go get it, Lucy not timid, Lucy up front Lucy got paper work on top of paper work I want you to know that Lucy got you All your life I watched you And now you all grown up then sign this contract if that's possible"
Lucy introduces herself again and tries to convince Kendrick that she has always been watching him and will help him succeed. She has paperwork ready for him to sign so he can be under her control.


I remembered you was conflicted Misusing your influence, sometimes I did the same Abusing my power full of resentment Resentment that turned into a deep depression Found myself screamin' in the hotel room I didn't wanna self destruct The evils of Lucy was all around me So I went runnin' for answers Until I came home
Kendrick remembers being vulnerable and conflicted when he first met Lucy. He realizes that he and Lucy both misuse their power and influence and begin to feel resentment which leads to a deep depression. He screams in his hotel room, not wanting to self-destruct. He runs away to find answers to escape the evils of Lucy but ultimately finds his way back home.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Taz Arnold, Mark Anthony Spears, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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