Playing Possum
Some Rap Songs - Earl Sweatshirt Lyrics
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Those presents and those gone on
Thank you to my family
(Can you see them now)
To my partner Mysteria who I love and depend on more than I can say
(For some children)
To my son Thebe (Words like home)
Cultural worker and student of life
(Could not carry any possible meaning)
Thank you to my brothers (But displaced)
My niece, (Boarder) my nephews, my sisters, my friends
(Refugee) My whole family network (Consider)
Who have let me be distracted and inconsistent in my intention
(The premature daily death of their dreams)
Who've put up with crazy schedules, short tempers and mad dashes and all the rest
(What staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer's voice again
While I can and say: you know the real deal
To have a home is not a favor)
In "Playing Possum", Earl Sweatshirt pens a heartfelt tribute to the people who have had a positive impact on his life. One can interpret the song as a thank you note of sorts to his family, friends, and loved ones. The song touches on themes of love, loss, and growth. Sweatshirt acknowledges the influence that his mentors have had on him, both those who are still present and those that have passed. He expresses gratitude towards his partner, Mysteria, who he loves and depends on more than he can say. Sweatshirt also addresses his son, Thebe, who inspires him with his growth and insights.
The lyrics of "Playing Possum" also delve into the complexities of family dynamics. Sweatshirt acknowledges that his intentions have been inconsistent, and those close to him have had to put up with his erratic behavior. He recognizes that his family network has let him be distracted at times, and yet they have continued to support him. The song is a poignant reflection on the fragility of relationships, and the importance of showing gratitude for the people who matter.
Line by Line Meaning
To my mentors and comrades in arms
I want to express gratitude to those who have taught me and fought alongside me, both past and present.
Those presents and those gone on
I am thankful for both the people who are currently in my life and the ones who have passed away.
Thank you to my family
I want to express my gratitude towards my family for their love and support.
(Can you see them now)
I am wondering if my family can see my gratitude towards them.
To my partner Mysteria who I love and depend on more than I can say
I want to express my love and appreciation for my partner, who means the world to me and supports me in ways that cannot be expressed in words.
(For some children)
I am thinking of how my partner and I may have children in the future.
To my son Thebe (Words like home)
I want to acknowledge my love for my son and how he makes me feel at home.
Cultural worker and student of life
I consider myself a lifelong learner and cultural enthusiast.
Whose growth and insights inspire me, a thousand kisses
I am inspired by the growth and insights of those around me and want to express my appreciation for them with a multitude of kisses.
(Could not carry any possible meaning)
I am acknowledging that sometimes words cannot fully capture the depth of my emotions and gratitude towards others.
Thank you to my brothers (But displaced)
I want to thank my brothers, even though we may not be geographically close to each other.
My niece, (Boarder) my nephews, my sisters, my friends
I also want to express my thanks towards my extended family and friends who have supported me throughout my life.
(Refugee) My whole family network (Consider)
I am thinking about how my family members have experienced displacement and how it has affected our family network.
Who have let me be distracted and inconsistent in my intention
I want to acknowledge that my loved ones have put up with my distractions and inconsistencies when it comes to showing gratitude towards them.
(The premature daily death of their dreams)
I am thinking about how my loved ones may have had to give up on their dreams at an early age.
Who've put up with crazy schedules, short tempers and mad dashes and all the rest
I want to acknowledge how my loved ones have put up with my erratic schedules, emotional outbursts, and other flaws.
(What staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer's voice again
While I can and say:
I am reflecting on the frightening memories that have jeopardized the hope of my family's future and considering borrowing someone's perspective to help me reflect on my gratitude towards my loved ones.
you know the real deal
To have a home is not a favor)
I want to emphasize that having a home and a supportive family is not something to be taken for granted, but rather a privilege and something to be cherished.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thebe Kgositsile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ollie0070
Consider what staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been.
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer’s voice again.
While I can and say
To have a home is not a favor.
- Keorapetse Kgositsile
Best song of the album. I beg you guys to do a bit of research on Earls mom and dad. Knowledge and wisdom flowing through their work and themselves. Earl is the product of a true poet and an offspring of a woman that inspires hundreds today.
"The addition of both his parents to the album was intended to be a surprise that he’d planned – as a conciliatory gesture, but tragedy struck again when Keorapetse (Bra Willie) Kgositsile passed away on January 3rd 2018, before Earl got a chance to send him the album."
@Prodfisik
To my mentors and comrades in arms
Those presents and those gone on
Thank you to my family
(Can you see them now)
To my partner Mysteria who I love and depend on more than I can say
(For some children)
To my son Thebe (Words like home)
Cultural worker and student of life
Whose growth and insights inspire me, a thousand kisses
(Could not carry any possible meaning)
Thank you to my brothers (But displaced)
My niece, (Boarder) my nephews, my sisters, my friends
(Refugee) My whole family network (Consider)
Who have let me be distracted and inconsistent in my intention
(The premature daily death of their dreams)
Who've put up with crazy schedules, short tempers and mad dashes and all the rest
(What staggering memories frighten and abort
The hope that should have been
Perhaps I should just borrow
The rememberer's voice again
While I can and say: you know the real deal
To have a home is not a favor)
@James-jy8bl
Earl, this is the most thoughtful album I've heard. Just spent the past hour researching your parents. Incredible people who've inspired an incredible artist. Crazy to learn I've studied subjects, theories, and events your parents have not only lived through, but contributed in. Now you're influencing your own wave, and I am happy to be a part of it.
@Thegreatone100
James not comparing Earl to PAC, but Earls parents reminds me of 2pacs parents who also more or less , influenced or paved a way for their talented son.
@rhodes273
I played ksi in legends
@swissrivierasocialclub6106
so true well said James
@redericson1993
I heard this album so many times.
@supa4ys843
@@Thegreatone100 yawn
@trevor5468
This is the most beautiful thing i have ever heard
@awake5650
I wanna die to this
@tedthecommenter5364
same here, the instrumental, the speech from his mother, and a poem from his father passed away, i listen to this on repeat
@sleepydude4621
Not gonna lie