Swimming Pools
Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

Pour up, drank, head shot, drank
The singer is drinking heavily and taking head shots of alcohol.

Sit down, drank, stand up, drank
The singer continues to drink while frequently sitting down and standing up.

Pass out, drank, wake up, drank
The singer drinks so much that they pass out, then wake up and continue drinking.

Faded, drank, faded, drank
The artist is getting increasingly drunk and feeling the effects of the alcohol.

Now I done grew up 'round some people living their life in bottles
The artist has witnessed people around him living their lives fully immersed in alcohol.

Granddaddy had the golden flask back stroke every day in Chicago
The singer mentions his grandfather who had a flask with him at all times, even when swimming.

Some people like the way it feels
Some people enjoy drinking because it makes them feel good.

Some people wanna kill their sorrows
Some people drink to numb the pain of their troubles.

Some people wanna fit in with the popular that was my problem
The artist drank to try to fit in with the popular crowd but realized it was causing problems for him.

I was in the dark room loud tunes, looking to make a vow soon
The artist was in a dark room listening to loud music, contemplating making a resolution to change his drinking habits.

That I'ma get fucked up, fillin' up my cup I see the crowd move
Despite his resolution, the singer decides to keep drinking and partying with the crowd.

Changing by the minute and the record on repeat
The party is changing constantly and the music is on repeat.

Took a sip, then another sip, then somebody said to me
The singer takes a few sips of his drink before being interrupted by someone.

Nigga why you babysittin' only two or three shots?
Someone questions why the singer is only drinking a small amount.

I'ma show you how to turn it up a notch
The singer promises to show the person how to drink more heavily.

First you get a swimming pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
The artist suggests filling a swimming pool with alcohol and jumping in.

Pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
Reinforces the above suggestion.

I wave a few bottles, then I watch 'em all flock
The singer flaunts his success with women and draws their attention by waving bottles of alcohol.

All the girls wanna play Baywatch
Girls are attracted to the singer like they are to the lifeguards in the TV show Baywatch.

I got a swimming pool full of liquor and they dive in it
The artist has a swimming pool filled with alcohol and the girls are jumping in it.

Okay, now open your mind up and listen me, Kendrick
The artist speaks to himself (Kendrick Lamar) and tells him to pay attention.

I am your conscience, if you do not hear me then you will be history, Kendrick
The artist imagines himself as Kendrick's conscience and warns him that not listening could be dangerous.

I know that you're nauseous right now and I'm hopin' to lead you to victory, Kendrick
The singer acknowledges that Kendrick is sick from drinking too much but hopes to lead him to a better outcome.

If I take another one down I'mma drown in some poison abusin' my limit
The artist acknowledges his own limit and warns Kendrick about the dangers of taking another drink.

I think that I'm feelin' the vibe
The singer is feeling the energy of the party.

I see the love in her eyes
The singer sees affection in someone's eyes and is drawn to them.

I see the feelin' the freedom is granted as soon as the damage of vodka arrived
The singer feels a sense of freedom as soon as he starts drinking vodka.

This how you capitalize
The artist sees the potential to take advantage of the situation.

This is parental advice then apparently
The artist admits that his advice sounds like something a parent would say but believes it to be true.

I'm over influenced by what you are doin'
The singer acknowledges that Kendrick's behavior is influencing his own.

I thought I was doin' the most then someone said to me
The singer thought he was already drunk enough but was encouraged to drink more.

I ride, you ride, bang
The artist and someone else ride together while firing a gun (metaphorically).

One chopper, one hundred shots, bang
One gun and one hundred shots are fired.

Hop out, do you, bang?
The artist encourages someone to hop out of their vehicle and continue the aggressive behavior.

Two chopper, two hundred shots, bang
Two guns and two hundred shots are fired.