No Church in the Wild
The Throne Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Hook: Frank Ocean]
Human being to the mob
What's a mob to a king? What's a king to a God?
What's a God to a non-believer who don't believe in anything?
Make it out alive, alright, alright, no church in the wild

[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
Tears on the mausoleum floor
Blood stains the Colosseum doors
Lies on the lips of priests
Thanksgiving disguised as a feast

Rolling in Rolls Royce Corniche
Only the doctors got this, I'm hiding from police
Cocaine seats, all white
Like I got the whole thing bleached
Drug dealer chick

I'm wondering if a thug's prayers reach
Is Pious pious 'cause God loves pious?

Socrates asked whose bias do y'all seek?
All for Plato, screech
I'm out here balling, I know yall hear my sneaks
Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy laid beats
Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out your seats, preach

[Hook]
Human being to the mob
What's a mob to a king? What's a king to a God?
What's a God to a non-believer who don't believe in anything?
Make it out alive, alright, alright, no church in the wild

[Bridge: The-Dream]
I live by you, desire
I stand by you, walk through the fire
Your love is my scripture
Let me into your encryption

[Verse 2: Kanye West]
Coke on her black skin
Make a stripe like a zebra, I call that jungle fever
You will not control the threesome
Just roll the weed up until I get me some
We formed a new religion
No sins as long as there's permission
And deception is the only felony
So never fuck nobody without telling me
Sunglasses and Advil, last night was mad real
Sun coming up, 5 a.m., I wonder if they got cabs still
Thinking about the girl in all leopard
Who was rubbing the wood like Kiki Shepherd
Two tattoos one read "No Apologies"
The other said "Love is Cursed by Monogamy"
It's something that the pastor don't preach
It's something that a teacher can't teach
When we die the money we can't keep
But we probably spend it all cause the pain ain't cheap, preach

[Hook]
Human being to the mob
What's a mob to a king? What's a king to a God?




What's a God to a non-believer who don't believe in anything?
Make it out alive, alright, alright, no church in the wild

Overall Meaning

The song No Church in the Wild by The Throne (Kanye West and Jay-Z) featuring Frank Ocean, begins with Frank Ocean's hauntingly beautiful hook that sets the tone for the entire song. The hook poses deep questions that challenge our societal norms and religious beliefs. It asks, "What's a mob to a king? What's a king to a God? What's a God to a non-believer who don't believe in anything?" These lines question the hierarchy of power and religion, highlighting the influence of religion and questioning its significance in our lives. The hook concludes with "Make it out alive, alright, alright, no church in the wild," symbolizing that we don't necessarily need organized religion to find our way in the world.


Jay-Z's verse in No Church in the Wild speaks of corruption and hypocrisy within the system, questioning the genuineness of established religion. He mentions priests hiding lies behind their lips, and how Thanksgiving is a disguise for a feast. Jay-Z's verse questions the righteousness of religious authority figures and the systems themselves, and suggests that these systems of authority and corruption aren't going to save us when things get tough. He is feeling superior to the corruption around him as he rolls in his luxury vehicle, hiding from the police, and suggesting that the prayers of people who might be more genuinely pure than the corruption around him are not reaching anyone.


The-Dream's bridge seems to hint that he seeks guidance and direction from someone who could be a lover or a religious figure, while Kanye's verse talks about how he's formed his own religion. He suggests that there are no sins as long as there is permission and that deception is the only thing that is truly punishable by the law. He alludes to the fact that our society values material things, and that love is almost a curse. He further highlights our preoccupation with wealth and status, suggesting that the pain of loss and death is what prompts us to spend all our money because it's the only thing that brings us temporary joys.


Line by Line Meaning

Human being to the mob
In the face of a group of people with a common goal, an individual is insignificant.


What's a mob to a king? What's a king to a God?
In terms of power and authority, a group of people is nothing compared to a leader, and a leader is nothing compared to a god.


What's a God to a non-believer who don't believe in anything?
To someone who does not believe in anything, a god is meaningless.


Make it out alive, alright, alright, no church in the wild
Surviving in difficult situations is possible without the aid of religion or institutions.


Tears on the mausoleum floor
The sadness and loss associated with death, particularly that of important figures or leaders.


Blood stains the Colosseum doors
The violence and brutality that can occur in public places, particularly where sport or entertainment takes place.


Lies on the lips of priests
Religious figures may be dishonest or hide truths, particularly when it comes to matters of faith or morality.


Thanksgiving disguised as a feast
Celebrations may be cultivated or constructed to serve a particular purpose or agenda, disguised as something more innocuous or positive.


Rolling in Rolls Royce Corniche
Displaying wealth and luxury to the point of excess.


Only the doctors got this, I'm hiding from police
Access to certain resources or privileges is limited to certain groups, and sometimes being able to access them requires avoiding detection or punishment.


Cocaine seats, all white
Using drugs, particularly addictive or dangerous ones, as a marker of status or a means of escape.


Like I got the whole thing bleached
Bleaching, or whitening, something can symbolize an attempt to erase or cover up something unsavory or undesirable.


Drug dealer chick
Women may be involved in the same illicit or illegal activities as men, despite stereotypes or social expectations.


I'm wondering if a thug's prayers reach
Those who lead violent or criminal lifestyles may still have spiritual or religious beliefs, but may question whether they are valid or effective in their current context.


Is Pious pious 'cause God loves pious?
There may be a question of whether people's piety or devotion is truly sincere, or if it is motivated by external factors such as the approval or validation of a higher power.


Socrates asked whose bias do y'all seek?
Philosophers and thinkers throughout history have questioned the motivations and perspectives that inform our beliefs and assumptions.


All for Plato, screech
In the midst of philosophical debates, people may take sides and defend certain ideas or beliefs with passion or conviction.


I'm out here balling, I know yall hear my sneaks
Displaying wealth and influence in a way that attracts attention or admiration from others.


Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy laid beats
Drawing a parallel between different figures or icons across history, to point out similarities or contrasts.


Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out your seats, preach
Using religious or spiritual language and imagery to hype up or energize an audience, encouraging them to take action or follow a certain path forward.


I live by you, desire
Desire and passion are driving forces in our lives, shaping our decisions and actions.


I stand by you, walk through the fire
Being willing to endure pain or struggle for the sake of someone or something we care about.


Your love is my scripture
The love and affection we experience from others can be a guiding force in our lives, serving as a foundation for our beliefs and values.


Let me into your encryption
Desire for a deeper, more meaningful connection with someone else, to understand them on a more intimate level.


Coke on her black skin
Using drugs as a way to enhance or intensify sexual experiences, without regard for the risks or consequences involved.


Make a stripe like a zebra, I call that jungle fever
Playing with the visual or cultural associations of race and ethnicity, particularly in the context of sexual attraction or desire.


You will not control the threesome
Asserting independence and autonomy in a sexual relationship or encounter, resisting attempts to dominate or manipulate others.


Just roll the weed up until I get me some
Using drugs as a means of escape or relaxation, to cope with difficult emotions or situations.


We formed a new religion
Creating or adopting new beliefs or practices, outside of traditional religious contexts or systems.


No sins as long as there's permission
Believing that certain actions or behaviors are morally acceptable, as long as all parties involved have given their consent or approval.


And deception is the only felony
Valuing openness and honesty in relationships and interactions with others, and viewing deceit or dishonesty as the only truly unforgivable crime.


So never fuck nobody without telling me
Asserting a level of control or oversight over another person's sexual behavior, as a condition of trust and respect in a relationship.


Sunglasses and Advil, last night was mad real
Reveling in the experience or aftermath of a wild or exciting night, possibly marred by drug use or excess.


Sun coming up, 5 a.m., I wonder if they got cabs still
Feeling the disorientation or disconnection that can come from staying up late or partying all night, and the difficulty of finding a way home.


Thinking about the girl in all leopard
Reflecting on a particular person or experience that is still occupying one's thoughts or attention.


Who was rubbing the wood like Kiki Shepherd
Recalling a sexual encounter or experience, and using metaphorical or symbolic language to describe it.


Two tattoos one read "No Apologies"
Expressing a sense of pride or defiance, and a refusal to apologize for one's actions or beliefs.


The other said "Love is Cursed by Monogamy"
Questioning the idea of monogamous relationships and the assumed virtues that come with them, and suggesting that love and commitment can come in different forms.


It's something that the pastor don't preach
Challenging or criticizing traditional religious teachings or ideas, and suggesting alternate philosophies or perspectives.


It's something that a teacher can't teach
Acknowledging that some lessons or experiences cannot be conveyed through formal education or traditional authority figures.


When we die the money we can't keep
Confronting the reality of mortality and the fleeting nature of material wealth and possessions.


But we probably spend it all cause the pain ain't cheap, preach
Using humor and irony to comment on the ways in which we try to distract ourselves from pain or discomfort, often through materialistic means.




Contributed by Zoe J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@victoryb.5437

"Human beings in a mob. What's a mob to a King? What's a King to a God? What's a God to a non-believer, who don't believe in anything?" Ok but Frank is legendary for this verse.

@wrd2sam777

3:50 !!

@anjiwoz2130

@Christicus 101 agreed mate 😎

@ChristopherSaindon

Absolutely! You cannot hear it too many times..it's impossible.

@beicaobeats

yes!

@legioxciicorvus5917

What are humans to a GOD who created them all and simply kill them all.

381 More Replies...

@wdemon85

Kanye 2010: No Church in the Wild
Kanye 2020: Church

@lukeethanboswell6338

Love it

@australium7374

Before 0 AD: No Church

@GaryCoachClinton

Hahahah Love it!

More Comments

More Versions