One Night
The Game Lyrics


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[Chorus]
I only fuck with you on two occasions
When I'm drunk, when I'm high
I will be broke, if I would be with you
That is why it's for one night (one one one one)

I'm a motherfuckin' gang bangin' nightmare
Wake up motherfuckers, I traded in my white Nike Airs
For a red pair of converse, Back to the hood
My own niggas actin' like I turned my back on the hood
I used my rap money to put crack in the hood
Even brought the nigga Dr. Dre back to the hood
I show niggas the Bentley, then let you drive it
Gone for 2 days and I didn't even check the mileage
When we was fighting with Crips it wasn't bout no dollars
It was about selling dope to put our kids through college
I'm sittin' on the block reminiscing for hours
Whipping my tears cause now half of my niggas is cowards
And I was still fuckin' with niggas
After I got shot and didn't get one hospital visit
My homie Snoop told me it be days like this
It hurt my heart to say this shit

[Chorus]

Red bandanna in my back pocket I'm for real
This ain't no pastel color khaki suit and I ain't Pharrell
I don't front bout shit, I pull my gun bout shit
And let everything fly to keep my son up out of this
I thought you loved me nigga, talk is cheap
Remember, the bullet holes in my son's car seat
My baby momma found four shells
I ain't get one keep your head up
All I got was keep it real, Keep it real my niggas?
Last year alone I spent 1.5 mil on my niggas
After the bullshit I stayed right there
Took you to award shows there go Jay right there
"Where?" "Right there"
I had you niggas in suits, cleaner than a pair of fresh Nike Airs
I'm suppose to enjoy this shit but it's quite clear
The last 12 months been a fuckin' nightmare

[Chorus]

This shit is worst then arguing with my bitch
I done been through more up and downs then an Impala switch
Get your hand out of my pocket nigga, go fish
I was born by myself so I don't owe yall shit
Nigga you tell me, what you want me to do
Drop my son off at home and come bang with you?
Oh now it's fuck Game, Naw Nigga fuck you
I put that on my life, matter of fact that's on Piru
And really is I can die too
And end up in the cemetery, right beside you
We can both ride, Angels flying over my head stone
But the devils inside your box
You wanted my shine so I gave you ice
Then I gave you a second change and you played me twice
Couldn't be a real homeboy to save your life
I should of took Dr.Dre's advise





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The Game's song titled "One Night" is a narrative about a gangsta rapper who is grappling with selling out for fame and success. The song's chorus has the rapper talking about his relationship with a girl whom he only interacts with on two specific occasions which are when he's high or drunk. He, then, emphasizes that he can only be with her for one night because if he were to be with her for more than that, he would be broke. He tells her that she has to go because he can't be with her for an extended period, which emphasizes his restless nature as he moves from one experience to another.


Furthermore, The Game refers to his gangster status by calling himself a "motherf*cking gang bangin' nightmare" and showcasing his toughness by boasting about switching his white Nike Airs for red converse. He also acknowledges that he used his rap money to invest in his neighborhood and even got Dr. Dre to come back to give back to his community. The rapper laments about how half of his friends have become cowards, and they no longer live by the code of the streets. In the end, he addresses a former friend who wanted to ride his coattails to fame and success but eventually played him twice, demonstrating how the industry changes individuals and how it can be tough for one to maintain their authentic self.


Line by Line Meaning

I only fuck with you on two occasions
I only spend time with you when I'm under the influence and can't think straight.


When I'm drunk, when I'm high
The two times I mentioned before are when I'm intoxicated.


I will be broke, if I would be with you
If I had a real relationship with you, it would ruin me financially.


That is why it's for one night (one one one one)
This is only meant to be a one-time hook-up.


I'm a motherfuckin' gang bangin' nightmare
I am a violent gang member who is feared by many.


Wake up motherfuckers, I traded in my white Nike Airs
I've given up my old life and comfortable, fashionable shoes to return to my violent roots.


For a red pair of converse, Back to the hood
I wear basic shoes now because I'm back living in the dangerous neighborhood where I grew up.


My own niggas actin' like I turned my back on the hood
My fellow gang members think I've abandoned them by returning to our old neighborhood.


I used my rap money to put crack in the hood
I've invested my music career earnings back into the community, but in a harmful way.


Even brought the nigga Dr. Dre back to the hood
I've even convinced a famous musician to visit our neighborhood.


I show niggas the Bentley, then let you drive it
I'm flaunting my wealth but also sharing it with those around me.


Gone for 2 days and I didn't even check the mileage
I'm so rich that I don't need to worry about how much gas my expensive car uses.


When we was fighting with Crips it wasn't bout no dollars
Our battles with the rival gang Crips wasn't about money, it was about control.


It was about selling dope to put our kids through college
Even though we were engaging in illegal activities, we were doing it to supposedly provide for our families.


I'm sittin' on the block reminiscing for hours
I spend a lot of time thinking about my past and the people I've lost.


Whipping my tears cause now half of my niggas is cowards
I get emotional because many of my former gang members have become weak and untrustworthy.


And I was still fuckin' with niggas
Despite all of this, I still associate with some of the people who have hurt me.


After I got shot and didn't get one hospital visit
Even when I was injured, my supposed friends didn't come to the hospital to offer support.


My homie Snoop told me it be days like this
My friend Snoop Dogg warned me that there would be tough times like this.


It hurt my heart to say this shit
Even though it pains me, I have to admit the truth about my situation.


Red bandanna in my back pocket I'm for real
My red bandanna signals that I am a true gang member and shouldn't be messed with.


This ain't no pastel color khaki suit and I ain't Pharrell
I don't dress fashionably or follow trends like popular musician Pharrell.


I don't front bout shit, I pull my gun bout shit
I am honest about my violent tendencies and will use my weapon when necessary.


And let everything fly to keep my son up out of this
I will do whatever it takes to protect my child from getting involved in gang life.


I thought you loved me nigga, talk is cheap
I feel betrayed by someone I thought was a friend, and their promises of loyalty mean nothing.


Remember, the bullet holes in my son's car seat
I won't forget the time when someone tried to hurt me and my child by shooting at our car.


My baby momma found four shells
The remains of the bullets fired at my car were found by my child's mother.


I ain't get one keep your head up
Despite this traumatic experience, I try to stay positive and strong.


All I got was keep it real, Keep it real my niggas?
All my friends could offer was a generic call to stay true to oneself.


Last year alone I spent 1.5 mil on my niggas
I spent a large amount of money on those I consider true friends, despite their possibly negative influence on me.


After the bullshit I stayed right there
Despite various difficulties and betrayals, I remained loyal to my friends.


Took you to award shows there go Jay right there
I even brought my friends with me to prestigious events, such as award shows.


"Where?" "Right there"
I'm proud to point out a famous friend's presence to my acquaintances.


I had you niggas in suits, cleaner than a pair of fresh Nike Airs
I even tried to improve my friends' appearances and reputations by dressing them up for special events.


I'm suppose to enjoy this shit but it's quite clear
Despite all of my successes and good deeds, I can't help but feel unhappy and burdened.


The last 12 months been a fuckin' nightmare
In the past year, I have gone through particularly difficult and painful experiences.


This shit is worst then arguing with my bitch
My current situation is worse than even the worst fights with my romantic partner.


I done been through more up and downs then an Impala switch
My life has been filled with extreme highs and lows, just like the movements of a car window switch.


Get your hand out of my pocket nigga, go fish
Stop asking me for money and go find some on your own.


I was born by myself so I don't owe yall shit
I was born alone and responsible for myself so I don't feel obligated to help anyone else.


Nigga you tell me, what you want me to do
I am frustrated with a friend's demands and am asking them to come up with a solution.


Drop my son off at home and come bang with you?
Should I prioritize hanging out with you over taking care of my child?


Oh now it's fuck Game, Naw Nigga fuck you
My friend has suddenly turned against me and I'm no longer willing to deal with their disrespect.


I put that on my life, matter of fact that's on Piru
I swear on my life and my gang's name that I won't tolerate this behavior.


And really is I can die too
I am putting my own life on the line by standing up to this friend.


And end up in the cemetery, right beside you
If our rivalry continues, it could end in one of our deaths.


We can both ride, Angels flying over my head stone
If we both die, we can at least go out together and have angels watch over our graves.


But the devils inside your box
Despite any heavenly forces, there is still evil inside my friend's heart.


You wanted my shine so I gave you ice
My friend wanted to benefit from my wealth and fame so I gave them some expensive jewelry.


Then I gave you a second change and you played me twice
Despite giving them a second chance, my friend still betrayed me.


Couldn't be a real homeboy to save your life
My friend wasn't even loyal enough to protect themselves in a dangerous situation.


I should of took Dr.Dre's advise
In hindsight, I should have listened to Dr. Dre's warnings and avoided this toxic friendship.


[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the theme of the beginning that this is only meant to be a one-night hook-up.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANTONIO REID, KENNETH EDMONDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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