Real
LAMAR Kendrick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
Your eyes never lie even if they tell
Sweet lullabies that come with a smell
Of a dozen roses flippin' down the green hill
You living in a world that come with plan B
'Cause plan A never relay a guarantee
And plan C never could say just what it was
And your plans only can pan around love
You love him, you love them, you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love red-bottom and gold they say queen
You love hand-bag on the waist of your jean
You love french tip and trip that pay for
You love bank slip that tell you we paid more
You love a good hand whenever the card dealt
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie even if they fell
Out the sky and your optics? turn stale
Where they mow that's green
I can see you fit the bill
Of living in a world that come with Plan B
Cause Plan A only can make another mistake
And you can't see success coming from plan C
When it all breaks you, you still say you're lovely
And love them and love when you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love fast cars and dead presidents old
You love fast women
You love keepin' control
Of everything you love, you love beef
You love streets, you love runnin', duckin' police
You love your hood, might even love it to death
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
The reason why I know you very well
Cause we have the same eyes can't you tell
The days I tried to cover up and conceal
My pride, it only made it harder for me to deal
When living in a that come with plan B
A scapegoat cause plan A don't come for free
And plan C just an excuse like because
Or the word "but", but what if I got love
I love them, I love when I love her
I love so much, I love when love hurts
I love first verse cause you're the girl I attract
I love second verse cause your the homie they packed
Burning like a stove top, they love cooking from scratch
I love what the both of you have to offer
In fact, I love it so much
I don't love anything else
But what love got to do with it when I don't love myself
To the point I should hate everything I do love
Should I hate living my life inside the club
Should I hate her for watching me for that reason
Should I hate him for telling me that I'm season
Should I hate them for telling me ball out
Should I hate street credibility I'm talkin' about
Hatin' all money, power, respect in my will
I'm hatin' the fact that none of that shit make me real
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
Sing my song, it's all for you
The lyrics of Kendrick Lamar's "Real" are about staying true to oneself and learning to love oneself, even in a world that can be confusing and full of doubt. The song talks about the various ways people try to find happiness and fulfillment, such as through love or material possessions, but ultimately emphasizes that self-love and acceptance are the most important things. The lyrics also touch on the idea that chasing after external validation or societal expectations can lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment, and that true happiness comes from within.
The first verse of the song talks about how the singer is proud of who they are and how they choose to live their life. They assert their independence in terms of their thoughts and actions, and express confidence in their own identity. The second verse talks about how the singer knows the listener well, and how they both have similar experiences and emotions. The lyrics focus on different aspects of the listener's life, including their struggles and their loves, but always bring the focus back to the idea that self-love and acceptance are key.
The chorus is perhaps the most memorable part of the song, with its repeated assertion that the singer is "real". This idea is expanded upon throughout the song, with the lyrics emphasizing that true authenticity and fulfillment come from within, rather than from external factors. Ultimately, the song encourages listeners to embrace their true selves and to prioritize self-love and acceptance above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
I do what I wanna do
I make my own choices and decisions in life
I say what I wanna say
I speak my mind and express myself freely
When I feel, and I
I act on my emotions and instincts
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
I am confident in my own identity and presence
With my hands in the air
I am celebrating my true self and individuality
I'm proud to say yea
I am unapologetically myself and proud of it
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
I am authentic and true to myself
I promise that I know you very well
I understand your struggles and challenges in life
Your eyes never lie even if they tell
Your true feelings and emotions are always revealed by your eyes
Sweet lullabies that come with a smell
Comforting words that provide temporary relief
Of a dozen roses flippin' down the green hill
A beautiful, fleeting moment of happiness
You living in a world that come with plan B
You are forced to have backup plans due to the uncertainty of life
'Cause plan A never relay a guarantee
Your initial plans may not work out as intended
And plan C never could say just what it was
Even your backup plans are not foolproof
And your plans only can pan around love
All your plans revolve around your desire for love
You love him, you love them, you love her
You have strong feelings of love for multiple people
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You are willing to endure pain and suffering for love
You love red-bottom and gold they say queen
You have a materialistic and expensive taste in fashion
You love hand-bag on the waist of your jean
You enjoy accessorizing with fashionable bags
You love french tip and trip that pay for
You like to indulge in luxurious manicures and expensive trips
You love bank slip that tell you we paid more
You enjoy the feeling of having spent a lot of money
You love a good hand whenever the card dealt
You appreciate a good outcome, regardless of how it was achieved
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself
Your obsession with love cannot heal the pain of self-hatred
The reason why I know you very well
I can relate to your struggles because we share similar experiences
Cause we have the same eyes can't you tell
Our shared experiences have shaped the way we perceive the world
The days I tried to cover up and conceal
My attempts to hide my true feelings and identity
My pride, it only made it harder for me to deal
My ego prevented me from confronting my problems head-on
A scapegoat cause plan A don't come for free
I make excuses for my failures instead of owning up to them
And plan C just an excuse like because
Even my backup plans are built on flimsy foundations
Or the word "but", but what if I got love
Despite my flaws and shortcomings, I still have love in my life
I love them, I love when I love her
I have strong feelings of love for multiple people
I love so much, I love when love hurts
I am willing to endure pain and suffering for love
I love first verse cause you're the girl I attract
I am attracted to a girl mentioned in the first verse of the song
I love second verse cause your the homie they packed
I appreciate the support and companionship of a friend mentioned in the second verse
Burning like a stove top, they love cooking from scratch
The passion and intensity of our relationships feed into our mutual love
I love what the both of you have to offer
I appreciate the individual qualities of the people I love
In fact, I love it so much
My love runs deep and intense
I don't love anything else
My love for these people is all-encompassing and all-consuming
But what love got to do with it when I don't love myself
Even though I have love in my life, I still struggle with self-hatred
To the point I should hate everything I do love
My self-hatred has made it difficult to enjoy the things I love
Should I hate living my life inside the club
My intense love for clubbing conflicts with my self-hatred
Should I hate her for watching me for that reason
My paranoia makes it difficult for me to trust a woman who is watching me
Should I hate him for telling me that I'm season
My insecurity makes it difficult for me to accept honest feedback
Should I hate them for telling me ball out
My friends' encouragement to live my best life makes me feel conflicted
Should I hate street credibility I'm talkin' about
My reputation and respect in the streets is at odds with my self-hatred
Hatin' all money, power, respect in my will
My intense self-hatred has clouded my desire for money, power, and respect
I'm hatin' the fact that none of that shit make me real
The material things I desire do not define my true identity or worth
Sing my song, it's all for you
The song's message and meaning is directed towards the listener
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: KENDRICK LAMAR, TERRACE MARTIN, MARLON WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bri_subs5475
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie even if they tell
Sweet lullabies that come with a smell
Of a dozen roses flippin' down the green hill
You living in a world that come with plan B
'Cause plan A never relay a guarantee
And plan C never could say just what it was
And your plans only can pan around love
You love him, you love them, you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love red-bottom and gold they say queen
You love hand-bag on the waist of your jean
You love french tip and trip that pay for
You love bank slip that tell you we paid more
You love a good hand whenever the card dealt
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie even if they fell
Out the sky and your optics? turn stale
Where they mow that's green
I can see you fit the bill
Of living in a world that come with Plan B
Cause Plan A only can make another mistake
And you can't see success coming from plan C
When it all breaks you, you still say you're lovely
And love them and love when you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love fast cars and dead presidents old
You love fast women
You love keepin' control
Of everything you love, you love beef
You love streets, you love runnin', duckin' police
You love your hood, might even love it to death
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
The reason why I know you very well
Cause we have the same eyes can't you tell
The days I tried to cover up and conceal
My pride, it only made it harder for me to deal
When living in a that come with plan B
A scapegoat cause plan A don't come for free
And plan C just an excuse like because
Or the word "but", but what if I got love
I love them, I love when I love her
I love so much, I love when love hurts
I love first verse cause you're the girl I attract
I love second verse cause your the homie they packed
Burning like a stove top, they love cooking from scratch
I love what the both of you have to offer
In fact, I love it so much
I don't love anything else
But what love got to do with it when I don't love myself
To the point I should hate everything I do love
Should I hate living my life inside the club
Should I hate her for watching me for that reason
Should I hate him for telling me that I'm season
Should I hate them for telling me ball out
Should I hate street credibility I'm talkin' about
Hatin' all money, power, respect in my will
I'm hatin' the fact that none of that shit make me real
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say
When I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air
I'm proud to say yea
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really really real
@kingmaxwell5026
I used this song as an example on my college application for an art school. It asked for a description of the structure of a song of my choice. Here's what I wrote.
Kendrick Lamar - Real. The seven minute outro to the conceptual album "good kid, m.A.A.d city" begins with
a stripped-down version of the hook as the beats builds up, then goes to the first verse. After the first verse
the hook plays again but with background vocals included. The second verse and hook are instrumentally the
same as the first. The third verse features background vocals from the guest vocalist for emphasis on certain
lyrics. After the third verse, the beat continues, while playing a voicemail from Kendrick's father, the hook
again, then a voicemail from his mother, which both play a part in this conceptual album more than just a
part of this song. It then has a bridge from the guest vocalist. The beat stops, another voicemail plays, and
you hear the sound of a cassette being rewinded.
@yrn_.phillex
[Produced by Terrace Martin]
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air, I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie, even if they tell
Sweet lullabies that come with a smell
Of a dozen roses flipping down the green hill
You're living in a world that come with plan B
Cause plan A never relay a guarantee
And plan C never could say just what it was
And your plans only can pan around love
You love him, you love them, you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love red bottom and gold that say "Queen"
You love hand-bag on the waist of your jean
You love French tip and trip that pay for
You love bank slip that tell you we paid more
You love a good hand whenever the card dealt
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air, I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, ('Cause before you know it, everything's gone)
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
I promise that I know you very well
Your eyes never lie, even if they fell
Out the sky and your optics turn stale
Where they mold that's green, I can see you fit the bill
Of living in a world that come with plan B
Cause plan A only can make another mistake
And you can't see success coming from plan C
When it all breaks, you'll still say you're lovely
And love them and love when you love her
You love so much, you love when love hurts
You love fast cars and dead presidents old
You love fast women, you love keepin' control
Of everything that you love, you love beef
You love streets, you love running, ducking police
You love your hood, might even love it to death
But what love got to do with it when you don't love yourself?
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air, I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real ('Cause before you know it, everything's gone)
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]
The reason why I know you very well
Cause we have the same eyes, can't you tell?
The days I tried to cover up and conceal
My pride, it only made it harder for me to deal
When living in a world that come with plan B
A scapegoat cause plan A don't come free
And plan C just an excuse like "because"
Or the word "but," but what if I got love?
I love them, I love when I love her
I love so much, I love when love hurts
I love first verse ’cause you're the girl I attract
I love second verse ’cause you're the homie that pack
Burner like a stove top, that love cooking from scratch
I love what the both of you have to offer
In fact, I love it so much, I don't love anything else
But what love got to do with it when I don't love myself
To the point I should hate everything I do love?
Should I hate living my life inside the club?
Should I hate her for watching me for that reason?
Should I hate him for telling me that I'm seizin'?
Should I hate them for telling me "ball out"?
Should I hate street credibility I'm talkin' about
Hating all money, power, respect in my will
Or hating the fact none of that shit make me real?
[Skit: Kenny Duckworth]
Kenny, I ain't trippin' off them dominoes anymore. Just calling, sorry to hear what happened to your homeboy, but don't learn the hard way like I did, homie. Any nigga can kill a man, that don't make you a real nigga. Real is responsibility. Real is taking care of your motherfucking family. Real is God, nigga
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & Anna Wise]
I do what I wanna do
I say what I wanna say, when I feel, and I
Look in the mirror and know I'm there
With my hands in the air, I'm proud to say yeah
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real, I'm really, really, real
I'm real, I'm real (cause before you know it, everything's gone)
[Skit: Kenny Duckworth & Paula Duckworth]
Alright, that's all I wanted to tell you. Just make sure you call us back when you get this message. Here go your mom
Boy, you better have my car on full all this time you done had my damn car, but look I ain't trippin'. Look, the neighbors say they seen you and your little friends over there by Food for Less and they was preaching to you over there telling you about the good book because right about now that's what y'all need. Oh, and Top Dawg called the house too. I guess they want you and Dave to come to the studio. But look, you take that music business serious, and put out something me and your dad can step to. Shit, you know we from Chicago, you know that's what we do
[Bridge: Anna Wise]
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
Sing my song, it's all for you
[Skit: Paula Duckworth]
"If I don't hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes. Come back a man, tell your story to these black and brown kids in Compton. Let 'em know you was just like them, but you still rose from that dark place of violence, becoming a positive person. But when you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement, and that's the best way to give back. To your city... And I love you Kendrick, if I don't hear you knocking on the door you know where I usually leave the key. Alright? Talk to you later, bye."
(*Sound of a cassette tape being stopped and fast forwarded*)
@PenitentOne8
But what love got to do with it when I don't love myself
To the point I should hate everything I do love?
Should I hate living my life inside the club?
Should I hate her for watching me for that reason?
Should I hate him for telling me that I'm seizin'?
Should I hate them for telling me ball out?
Should I hate street credibility I'm talkin' about
Hating all money, power, respect in my will
Or hating the fact none of that shhh make me real. make me real..... make me real.... make me real.... make me real.... make me real......
@king_invictus1289
Love this song-simple message that nothing else matters if you don't love yourself first.
@appleeyebeauty
Iiiu u uku kikuupuuuuk get up
@JessSoShutUp
this song is powerful Man....the way everything comes together at the end, this album is a work of art. all Kendrick's albums are actually. nothing better than driving down the dark highway with the ocean on the side of you, alone, thinking....listening to this on blast...
@FilthyFew420
I wish I lived near an ocean, so I could experience this
@sephiroth9059
@C G nope u can do this at night anywhere
@FilthyFew420
@sephiroth9059 no asked you bro but ok.
@professorfinesser232
@C G nice profile pic haha
@professorfinesser232
Earth is flat and the 🌎globe model is bullshit. FUCK NASA
@SuperWeedPower
the way the girl is singing sounds like shes smiling
@pendejoproductions4071
the voice messages from kendrick's parents are the truth.