Now or Never
Lamar Kendrick Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

We on?
A'ight
One, two, three, go!

Waking up in a dream
Sleepwalking on another big stage
You never heard peace 'til you hear people scream
Your name in unison, I'm so far away
From the place I used to be, struggling usually
Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me
I can feel the energy in the air
It feel like I'm supposed to be here

Everywhere I go I'm getting so much love
Fans, the stars, everyone
Sayin' how they can't wait for the LP
And I'm gonna blow, hey believe in me
Feel so good in what you do
Helps somebody else get through
That's why I do the best I can
Because I know how blessed I am

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

A fool if I take it all for granted
A smart man if I keep my feet planted
To the earth 'cause the people that hurt can understand it
You speakin' outlandish
I'ma show you how to make it all work
Another planet, it's a short term goal for me
A record sold for me
It's just more of me in your ear
For you to hear Kendrick persevere
Defenses I feel relentless
Ambition with a clear vision
Takin' off I ain't takin' off these Pistons
I'm takin' off on the inner me, you're distance
Came across me, how much it'a cost me
To get you out my business
I said a planet is a short term goal, no sky is the limit
I'm past that, now pass that
Award, not one but four
Times two plus yours

I see myself performing there, (K.dot)
Sold out shows where the room is packed
Sitting at the Grammy's winning five awards
See myself on big billboards
Traveling around the world with endorsement deals
Can't imagine how it feels
That's why I'm smiling everyday
Because my dream ain't far away

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

You looking at me and you tell me I'm blessed
Calculated my steps, my heart, my breath
Breathe in lungs of a victory and vividly
You see me when at my best, my worst
This verse dedicated to the days that I slept
With a curse research my paid dues I'm reimbursed
I burst in the crowd with a voice and a crown
I'm a King on the prowl and I see mama smile
And I vow on the tape that I'll never break
You can break bread with me now
We can all take a bow on the edge of the pedestal
Then scream out loud that we made it off the avenue
And walked that mile
In the darkness I often sit back
And get lost in the rap that I wrote
When you told me that it spoke to your soul
I was talking to you
I was walking it through every ghetto
Tell success hello, we here

And I'm so happy I cry
'Cause I can't believe
All the things I ever wanted
Are finally happening for me
And it's so surreal
That I almost feel
That any minute I can wake up
From this fantasy
When you pray so hard
And you've come so far
And you know that it's the time for you to lift your bar
And I'm gonna do it, watch me!

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never
I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

I'm so high I can touch the sky
I know it's my time
And it's now or never




I shine so bright I light the night
And it feels so right, ain't nothing better

Overall Meaning

Lamar Kendrick's song Now or Never describes his journey from being a struggling artist to becoming a successful musician. In the first verse, Kendrick talks about feeling like he's in a dream while performing on stage, waking up to the reality that he's gained a lot of fans and support. He feels the energy in the air and believes that he's supposed to be there. He talks about his passion for music and how it helps people get through their struggles. Kendrick believes that he's blessed and will do his best to succeed.


In the second verse, Kendrick talks about his ambition, the short-term goals he has for himself, and his determination to make his music heard. He aims to persevere despite the obstacles he faces. Kendrick talks about getting past the negative influences in his life and focusing on his music, aiming for success. In the final verse, Kendrick talks about how happy he is with the progress he's made, how he cried tears of joy because he couldn't believe his dreams were coming true. He talks about never giving up, staying true to himself, and always striving for his goals.


Line by Line Meaning

Waking up in a dream
Starting to realize that reality is better than fantasy


Sleepwalking on another big stage
Feeling like a zombie, performing on autopilot


You never heard peace 'til you hear people scream
Finding inner calmness while others are excited about your work


Your name in unison, I'm so far away
Feeling distant from one's past while being celebrated in the present


From the place I used to be, struggling usually
Reflecting on personal difficulties and hardship


Look at the newer me, fate pursuing me
Feeling like destiny is leading to bigger and better things


I can feel the energy in the air
Sensing a positive and encouraging atmosphere


It feel like I'm supposed to be here
Believing that one belongs in a certain place or situation


Everywhere I go I'm getting so much love
Feeling appreciated and supported by fans and peers


Fans, the stars, everyone
Being surrounded by people who admire and respect one's talent


Sayin' how they can't wait for the LP
Anticipating the release of a new album


And I'm gonna blow, hey believe in me
Confident that one will achieve success


Feel so good in what you do
Finding joy and fulfillment in one's work


Helps somebody else get through
Being an inspiration or role model for others


That's why I do the best I can
Striving to constantly improve and excel


Because I know how blessed I am
Being grateful for one's talents and opportunities


I'm so high I can touch the sky
Feeling euphoric and unstoppable


I know it's my time
Believing that one's moment of success has arrived


And it's now or never
Realizing that one must seize the opportunity


I shine so bright I light the night
Being a beacon of success and inspiration


And it feels so right, ain't nothing better
Finding ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction


A fool if I take it all for granted
Recognizing the danger of becoming complacent or entitled


A smart man if I keep my feet planted
Being grounded and rooted in humility and hard work


To the earth 'cause the people that hurt can understand it
Staying connected to one's roots and being relatable to others


You speakin' outlandish
Not being understood or accepted by others


I'ma show you how to make it all work
Being confident in one's abilities to succeed


Another planet, it's a short term goal for me
Seeing success as a stepping stone to something greater


A record sold for me
Achieving commercial success as a musician


It's just more of me in your ear
Being a constant presence in fans' lives through music


For you to hear Kendrick persevere
Being a survivor and fighter in the face of challenges


Defenses I feel relentless
Feeling unstoppable and unbeatable


Ambition with a clear vision
Having a strong sense of purpose and direction


Takin' off I ain't takin' off these Pistons
Continuing to work hard and push forward despite success


I'm takin' off on the inner me, you're distance
Finding personal growth and fulfillment rather than superficial success


Came across me, how much it'a cost me
Dealing with the negative effects of fame and success


To get you out my business
Maintaining privacy and distance from others


I said a planet is a short term goal, no sky is the limit
Seeing endless potential for growth and success


I'm past that, now pass that
Being beyond previous limits and expectations


Award, not one but four
Achieving multiple levels of recognition and success


Times two plus yours
Exceeding expectations and being a leader among one's peers


I see myself performing there, (K.dot)
Visualizing oneself achieving success as a performer


Sold out shows where the room is packed
Being wildly popular and in-demand as a performer


Sitting at the Grammy's winning five awards
Achieving the ultimate recognition and success in the music industry


See myself on big billboards
Achieving mainstream recognition and success as an artist


Traveling around the world with endorsement deals
Benefitting from global exposure and monetary success


Can't imagine how it feels
Being awestruck by one's own success


That's why I'm smiling everyday
Feeling happy and fulfilled in one's achievements


Because my dream ain't far away
Being close to achieving one's ultimate goal


You looking at me and you tell me I'm blessed
Being recognized for one's good fortune and success


Calculated my steps, my heart, my breath
Being strategic and intentional in one's approach to success


Breathe in lungs of a victory and vividly
Feeling triumphant and alive in one's success


You see me when at my best, my worst
Being observed and judged in both moments of success and challenge


This verse dedicated to the days that I slept
Honoring the hard work and sacrifice that led to success


With a curse research my paid dues I'm reimbursed
Being rewarded for long hours and hard work in the past


I burst in the crowd with a voice and a crown
Taking center stage with confidence and power


I'm a King on the prowl and I see mama smile
Celebrating success with one's loved ones


And I vow on the tape that I'll never break
Making a public declaration of commitment to success


You can break bread with me now
Being successful enough to share one's abundance with others


We can all take a bow on the edge of the pedestal
Celebrating together as a community of successful individuals


Then scream out loud that we made it off the avenue
Rejoicing in overcoming adversity and achieving success against the odds


And walked that mile
Enduring hardships and challenges on the path to success


In the darkness I often sit back
Reflecting on the hard work and sacrifices that led to success


And get lost in the rap that I wrote
Being proud of one's own creative work and expression


When you told me that it spoke to your soul
Being appreciated and admired for one's artistry


I was talking to you
Creating art that connects with a listener on a personal level


I was walking it through every ghetto
Representing and uplifting one's community through art


Tell success hello, we here
Announcing oneself as a successful and accomplished individual


And I'm so happy I cry
Being overjoyed and overwhelmed by one's own success


'Cause I can't believe
Feeling a sense of disbelief and wonder at one's good fortune


All the things I ever wanted
Being able to achieve one's dreams and desires


Are finally happening for me
Reaping the rewards of hard work and dedication


And it's so surreal
Feeling like one is living in a dream


That I almost feel
Being apprehensive or uncertain about one's own success


That any minute I can wake up
Feeling like one's success is too good to be true


From this fantasy
Realizing that one's success is not a dream, but a reality


When you pray so hard
Seeking guidance and support from a higher power in achieving success


And you've come so far
Looking back on the long and difficult journey to success


And you know that it's the time for you to lift your bar
Feeling like one needs to continue striving for personal growth and excellence


And I'm gonna do it, watch me!
Being determined and confident in one's ability to succeed




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Matthew Kahane, Jazmine Sullivan, Kendrick Lamar

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Stephen Smith

If this came out in the 90s or even 2000s it would’ve been a HUGE hit.

ItzMista

The funny thing is that this song was dedicated pretty much to 2k as part as a bonus for his track. Thats why it is not as popular as most of his other songs.

j note

No doubt man

Garrett Hinson

One of Kendrick's most slept on tracks. Nothing but good vibes and inspiration!

U.C.E

playing 2k14 with your brothers having all means of trouble and smiles we all had our fun slandering and teasing eachother..good times to look back to

space age sage

this song always makes my day happy and fills me with energy

samuel Dominguez

+space age sage same

space age sage

+sammy dominguez lol glad I'm not alone on that train of thought

samuel Dominguez

yeah

mario rojas

+space age sage any more positive songs like this fam?

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