Following the relative success of this album, Simpson embarked on his first solo headlining tour, and began to record both the Brockhampton mixtape ALL-AMERICAN TRASH, and his second solo album, American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story. These projects drew the attention of the television channel VICELAND, spawning the creation of their television series American Boyband. The airing of the first episode of this series coincided with the release of the Brockhampton album SATURATION, leading to a trilogy of albums which would become the group's most successful endeavor to date. Brockhampton has since released three more albums: iridescence, GINGER, and ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE; they also announced one final album slated for 2022. Simpson released his third album, ARIZONA BABY, in 2019 & his fourth album, Blanket, in 2023.
Tattoo
Kevin Abstract Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got your name across my chest
Still sleepin' with the window open
Why can't I getcha outta my head, my head?
You say these things just happen
Why must we let them happen?
I quit my job the other day
They say I threw my life away
No shit, I threw my life away, ay
I quit my job the other day
Even though I'm in need of the money
They say I threw my life away
No shit, I threw my life away
Away
Dad tried to tell me that I'm not functional
I gotta bunch of homies, but not a bunch of homes
Said come back home to an empty home
I got a different home, my home is–
My dad tried to tell me that I'm not functional
I gotta bunch of homies but not a bunch of homes
Said come back home to an empty home
I got a different home, my home is fake
Ooh, ahh, ooh
Away
Told a lie and I'm sorry
Let me make it up at the football game
Pick you up in the morning
Let me make it up at the football game
Who was I when I was lonely?
Let me make it up at the football game
I told a lie and I'm sorry, ooh
Told a lie and I'm sorry
Let me make it up at the football game
Pick you up in the morning
Let me make it up at the football game
Who was I when I was lonely?
Let me make it up at the football game
Let's make out at the bleachers
Say it's ok when it's not
Say it's ok when it's not
Say it's ok when it's not
Say it's ok when it's not–not, duh
Say it's ok when it's not
Say it's ok when it's not–not, duh
You're all I got
Say it's ok when it's not
In "Tattoo," Kevin Abstract appears to be struggling with a relationship that he knows is not good for him. In his opening lines, he expresses a desire to leave the relationship ("Wish I could quit you"), but then immediately indicates his continued attachment to the person through the tattoo of their name on his chest. He then discusses his inability to get the person out of his head, despite their toxic relationship. Abstract frames their relationship as something that "just happens," suggesting a lack of control over their feelings and actions.
Abstract then transitions to discussing his own life, indicating that he quit his job despite needing the money. He acknowledges that others might see this as throwing his life away, indicating his own uncertainty and doubt about his choices. His father tries to push him towards a more traditional path, suggesting that he is not functioning well outside of societal norms. However, Abstract counters that he has a different kind of home, suggesting that he has found a community outside of the traditional family structure.
The chorus of "Tattoo" focuses on Abstract's desire to make things right with his partner, even as he acknowledges that he has lied to them. He suggests several ways of making it up to them, culminating in the desire to simply "make out at the bleachers." The repetition of the phrase "say it's ok when it's not" suggests a desire to overlook problems in the relationship and maintain the connection, even when it may not be healthy.
Line by Line Meaning
Wish I could quit you
I want to let go of you
Got your name across my chest
I still have strong affection for you
Still sleepin' with the window open
I am still vulnerable and open to you
Why can't I getcha outta my head, my head?
I can't stop thinking about you
You say these things just happen
You don't want to take responsibility for what we had
Why must we let them happen?
Why do we need to go through this pain?
I quit my job the other day
I made a big decision despite the risks
Even though I'm in need of the money
I know I need to take care of myself
They say I threw my life away
Others may not understand my choices
No shit, I threw my life away, ay
Yes, I know I took a risk
Dad tried to tell me that I'm not functional
My father thinks I can't take care of myself
I gotta bunch of homies, but not a bunch of homes
I have friends, but not necessarily a sense of home
Said come back home to an empty home
My father wants me to come home to emptiness
I got a different home, my home is–
I feel at home somewhere else
Told a lie and I'm sorry
I made a mistake and I regret it
Let me make it up at the football game
I want to make amends with a gesture
Pick you up in the morning
I am making an effort to fix things
Who was I when I was lonely?
I was desperate and not myself
Let's make out at the bleachers
I want to connect with you physically
Say it's ok when it's not
I pretend that everything is alright
Say it's ok when it's not–not, duh
I know things are not okay, but I still act as if they are
You're all I got
You are the only one I care about
Writer(s): Russell Boring, William Wood, Clifford F Simpson, Jeffrey Kleinman, Romil Hemnani, Michael Uzowuru
Contributed by Jack P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.