For Sale?
Kendrick Lamar feat. George Clinton & Thundercat Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Whats 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 feat. James Fauntleroy & Ronald Isley is a commentary on the music industry and the temptations of fame and fortune. In the song, Kendrick is approached by Lucy, a personification of Lucifer or the devil, who offers him success and wealth in exchange for his soul. The lyrics are a conversation between Kendrick and Lucy where he is tempted by the promises she offers.


Initially, Kendrick is apprehensive about the deal and questions Lucy's intentions when she says she wants his trust and loyalty. He remembers his conflict with the industry and his own misuse of influence. But as the song progresses, Kendrick becomes more intrigued by Lucy's offer and the possibilities she presents. He ultimately wrestles with his decision, unsure of whether he should sign the contract or not.


Throughout the song, the lyrics are layered with double meanings, metaphors, and wordplay, making it a complex interpretation. It's a reflection of Kendrick's own struggles with navigating the music industry, as well as a social and cultural commentary on the costs of success and the impact of temptation.


Line by Line Meaning

What's wrong nigga?
Why are you acting like something is bothering you?


I thought you was keeping it gangsta?
I thought you were being tough and true to your roots.


I thought this what you wanted?
I thought this is what you desired and aimed for.


They say if you scared go to church. But remember, He knows the bible too.
People advise to seek refuge in faith when scared, but realize that even God knows what you're truly afraid of.


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).
When I have you, I will take the journey with you, through the high and the low, to a point of tranquility because 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.
When I'm driving, I'm doing it illegally, I'm high, and I'm impaired, but it doesn't matter because the only thing I want is you, even though you don't fully comprehend how much I want you.


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).
You took me out, looked at me in a hypnotic way and revealed that I am what you want. You downgraded my previous interest, Sherane, with someone named Lucy? That's crazy. Both of us could be dead if you truly want me.


You said to me. You said your name was Lucy. I said where's Ricardo? You said oh no, not the show.
You introduced yourself as Lucy, and I tried to make a joke about the show 'I Love Lucy.'


Than you spit a little rap to me like this. When I turned 26 I was like oh shit.
You then recited a rap to me, starting with how you felt when you turned 26.


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 gives you no worries. Lucy got million stories. About these rappers I came after when they were boring. Lucy gone fill your pockets. Lucy gone move your mama out of Compton. Inside the gi-gantic mansion like I promised. Lucy just wants 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 paperwork on top of paperwork. 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.'
You told me more about Lucy, how she provides comfort, riches, and success. How you've been watching over me all my life and how signing the contract with you is the ultimate step to take.


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.
I recall that you were struggling and found myself in the same situation. I abused my own power while being resentful which led to a severe depressive state. I couldn't bear the existence of Lucy any longer, thus I went searching for guidance, until I returned home.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Taz Arnold

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

@DimpzNYC

I remember when tpab first came out. Everybody on twitter was saying it was trash so I decided to give it a listen. Literally couldn't even get past the first song.

















...Because I kept replaying it over and over. Never heard anything like this before.



All comments from YouTube:

@kendricklamarspotlight

⬇️LIKE IF YOU BUMPING THIS IN 2020! 👍👍

@omargray5279

THANKS FOR MAKING THIS CHANNEL, WHOEVER YOU ARE I LOVE AND GOD BLESS YOU

@PermaJeff

No

@PermaJeff

@@omargray5279 yikes

@omargray5279

@@PermaJeff what?

@JorgeGomez-hx5uu

@@PermaJeff curious as to why you dislike Kendricks music. I mean he did do one thing that made me lose slight respect, but as far as the music goes, it’s just superb. Or are you just hating just to hate?

13 More Replies...

@giovanni7297

NOTHING can replace hearing this on your first listen. Shit was magical

@kingkunta2977

Fr

@cheesesits

Swear bro. Couldn’t stop bopping my head after the beat drop

@SegaGentleman

The first time I heard this I scream-laughed at the beginning. I just knew I was in for a wild ride

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