The first week of sales for the album set a new record for Lecrae, with Gravity debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with 72,000 units sold, and was the biggest sales week ever for a Christian hip hop album. The bonus track "Fuego" featuring KB and Suzy Rock from the iTunes deluxe edition of the album peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Songs, No. 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital charts, and No. 64 on the Hot Digital Songs charts. Critically, Gravity was very well received, and is considered Lecrae's strongest, most mainstream work to date. It won Best Gospel Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
Gravity is a follow-up to the mixtape Church Clothes, which was released earlier in 2012, and Lecrae's two previous studio albums, Rehab, which was released in September 2010, and Rehab: The Overdose, which followed five months later. The Church Clothes mixtape was released for free on May 10, 2012, and was hosted by DJ Don Cannon. It was considered Lecrae's step into the mainstream due to his collaboration with artists such as No Malice of Clipse and the producers 9th Wonder, Boi-1da, S1 and Street Symphony.[7] The featuring of mainstream artists, particularly Don Cannon, was controversial within Christian circles.[8][9] The mixtape was downloaded on DatPiff.com almost 100,000 times within 48 hours and in less than a month reached 250,000 downloads, a platinum rating on DatPiff.com.[10][11][12]
Lecrae said in a statement to AllHipHop: "With the release of Gravity, I really wanted to expand on my previous work while still making sure to keep it all very authentic to who I am as an artist as well as a person[.] When I released Church Clothes earlier this year, it was the precursor of what's come with this album. It introduced my music to new audiences, allowing me to impact others
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Lecrae (Gravity) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Make it work
I ain't goin' nowhere
Yeah, I messed up, but you hurt me, Blew it like it's yo' birthday
And you love it baby on Wednesday, but I make you sick on Thursday
And I know I'm wrong and you shutin' down, and I touch down like "What now?"
Why we going through all this? Why things gotta be rough now?
You go and break my heart that I forgive and I ain't leave
Don't define you by your faults, ain't gon' push your buttons either
Everyday we startin' fresh, this is how it's s'posed to be
Never try to take advantage, you respect me as a man
But every once 'a while you get to poppin' off and say stuff you shouldn't be sayin'
But I'm witchu, I ain't playin', if it's thick or if it's thin
Both the times and your figure, girl, this is who I am
I love you baby, that's real talk, and this life we live is a real walk
I ain't goin' nowhere, tell your girlfriends that it's still on
I love you baby, that's real talk, this life we live is a real walk
I ain't goin' nowhere, tell your friends that it's on
[Chorus]
For better or for worse
Sometimes I make you sick, and you get on my nerves
Make it work
I ain't goin' nowhere, and I give you my word
I will be right here
So though push my buttons
I ain't leavin'
You can keep on pushin'
I ain't leavin'
I be makin' you mad, girl
But you said you'll never leave me lonely
So I had to put a ring up on it, 'cause our commitment ain't no game
Yeah we laugh, but we ain't playin', I'mma always be yo' mane
And I know sometimes I upset you, be pushin' all o' you buttons
We be fussin', fighting over nothin', you can try to leave, but I'm comin'
We gon' work it out with no runnin', pushin', shovin'
I know sometimes that I'm selfish, but I jump in front of yo' bullet
Cause you everything that prayed fo', plus a little bit extra
Even when you getchu an attitude and you act a little bit extra
Listen, you make better, babe, you make better, babe
You got my heart and you can have it for forever, baby
And though we'll never break up, I hate it when we mad
But love it when we get to make up, no lines that I could make up
To let you know how much I got you covered, girl
And I only be pushin' yo' buttons because I love you, girl
[Chorus]
The lyrics of the song 'Buttons' by Lecrae (Gravity) describe a relationship that goes through its ups and downs, but both the partners are committed to making it work. Lecrae acknowledges that he has made mistakes and hurt his partner, but he is not going anywhere. He is aware that his partner has faced several heartbreaks in the past, but he is different. He understands that his partner is not defined by her faults, and he will not push her buttons either. Every day is a new beginning, and he respects her as a person. Though they have disagreements and get into arguments, he is committed to working it out without running away. He loves his partner and is willing to go through thick and thin with her.
The song portrays the beauty and complexity of a relationship. It shows that it is possible to work through differences and misunderstandings if both the partners are committed to each other. The lyrics also highlight the importance of communication and forgiveness in a relationship. No one is perfect, but it is essential to respect and love each other despite the flaws.
Line by Line Meaning
For better or for worse
Commitment to stand by each other through good and bad times
Make it work
Determination to work through obstacles and challenges in the relationship
I ain't goin' nowhere
Steadfast commitment to stay in the relationship
Yeah, I messed up, but you hurt me, Blew it like it's yo' birthday
Admitting fault and acknowledging being hurt by the partner's actions
And you love it baby on Wednesday, but I make you sick on Thursday
Acknowledging inconsistencies in the partner's feelings and reactions
And I know I'm wrong and you shutin' down, and I touch down like "What now?"
Recognizing the partner's reaction to fault and trying to address it
Why we going through all this? Why things gotta be rough now?
Questioning the difficulties in the relationship
But you had so many break-ups, you can't believe
Pointing out the partner's past experiences with breakups affecting their views on the current relationship
You go and break my heart that I forgive and I ain't leave
Expressing forgiveness and commitment despite past hurt
Don't define you by your faults, ain't gon' push your buttons either
Refusing to use the partner's faults to hurt them and trying to avoid causing them pain
Everyday we startin' fresh, this is how it's s'posed to be
Believing in the power of starting anew each day
Never try to take advantage, you respect me as a man
Acknowledging mutual respect in the relationship
But every once 'a while you get to poppin' off and say stuff you shouldn't be sayin'
Admitting the partner's occasional harsh words and tone
But I'm witchu, I ain't playin', if it's thick or if it's thin
Reassuring the partner of unyielding commitment
Both the times and your figure, girl, this is who I am
Accepting and loving the partner fully as they are
Chorus: For better or for worse, Sometimes I make you sick, and you get on my nerves
Reiterating the commitment to stay together despite disagreements or annoyances
Make it work, I ain't goin' nowhere, and I give you my word, I will be right here
Determination to work through any difficulties and promise to remain present
So though push my buttons, I ain't leavin', You can keep on pushin', I ain't leavin'
Refusing to let the partner's actions push them away and reassurance of unyielding commitment
I be makin' you mad, girl, But you said you'll never leave me lonely
Acknowledging causing the partner's anger but also trusting in their commitment
So I had to put a ring up on it, 'cause our commitment ain't no game
Symbolic gesture of commitment in the form of marriage
Yeah we laugh, but we ain't playin', I'mma always be yo' mane
Reassurance of continued commitment and love
We be fussin', fighting over nothin', you can try to leave, but I'm comin'
Acknowledging minor disagreements but refusal to let them break the relationship
We gon' work it out with no runnin', pushin', shovin'
Commitment to resolving issues peacefully and without aggression
I know sometimes that I'm selfish, but I jump in front of yo' bullet
Admitting faults and willingness to protect the partner
Cause you everything that prayed fo', plus a little bit extra
Acknowledging the partner as a blessing and more than expected
Even when you getchu an attitude and you act a little bit extra
Acknowledging the partner's moments of attitude or extra behavior
Listen, you make better, babe, you make better, babe
Acknowledging the partner's positive impact on their life
You got my heart and you can have it for forever, baby
Professing love and willingness to give the heart to the partner indefinitely
And though we'll never break up, I hate it when we mad
Belief in the relationship's longevity and dislike for disagreements
But love it when we get to make up, no lines that I could make up
Enjoyment of reconciliations and belief in the genuineness of the relationship
To let you know how much I got you covered, girl
Assurance of protection and support
And I only be pushin' yo' buttons because I love you, girl
Explanation of sometimes-causing harm as a result of love, not harm itself
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CAIN BARNES, CYLE BARNES, DAMIEN BONE, SAMUEL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind