Towkio dropped his first mixtape, .wav theory, in April 2015.
Heaven Only Knows
Towkio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I never took a groupie out to eat
See I've been balling, I've been popping
I've been bubbling, I've been buzzing
In my city women love me, think I'm pretty
And they confirm it whenever they see me in person
If I said it I meant it, I said it on purpose
Don't sleep on that furnace cause, boy, we hot
And these songs should make you sing
Ohh ohh ohh, I guess we'll never know (heaven only knows)
What we need to know, where we need to go
Mind in the right field like I'm Ichiro
I shed light, they need to grow, fuck 'em all
Fuck they friends, fuck they car, fuck your brand, fuck your blog
It's SAVEMONEY, we an army full of generals
Here to push the envelope
And change what they think
It's my job to make them think, and make music that they feel
So these songs make them sing like:
Where the end will go?
Will I ever know?
Heaven only knows
That's why I love it, I love it, love it, I love it, love it, I love it If I drop it they gonna cop it
I might start a non-for-profit
My poppa say, "Chancelor, I am so proud of you"
Like my beats? They made all of them
Kick my feet on the ottoman
I just might run for Alderman, you got power too
Sneak that rap, put a message in, it's that sugary medicine
Feel like the intro, but better than it's ever been
Jumping like checkers, clever like chess is
Smoking like purp is, perfect like Surf is, deeper than surface
Anxious and nervous, the world isn't flat, it's sharp as a circus
It's starving like sharks is, that's looking for surfers
I'm not in the industry, not in the service, not into retail
Not into nodding my noggin, neglecting the detail
I'm only beginning, behold magnificence
Brown-skinned black boy
When his dread-head friends tall and omnipotent
You choke like cinnamon, you broke, I been the man
Triiibe, SM and 197 at your fuckin' neck, boy
IGH!
Ay yo, why you about to have the hottest tape of 2015? It's stupid
This song is already so hot, I'm actually just glad you let me rap on that bitch
Towkio's song "Heaven Only Knows" is a bouncy and self-assured track that celebrates the artist's personal growth, his musical vision, and his community of peers. The chorus repeats the phrase "Heaven only knows" as a way of expressing a sense of destiny and the futility of worrying about the future. The singer sings of his entrepreneurial success, his artistic integrity, and his romantic disputes. In the first verse, he denies mistreating his partner but also distances himself from groupies, as if positioning himself as a public figure who has to be cautious about rumors and expectations. He exalts his own popularity and good looks, claiming to embody the aspirations and the fantasies of the women who admire him. He also emphasizes the importance of authenticity and purpose in his music, highlighting his responsibility to inspire people and to challenge conventions. The second verse continues with a display of wit and confidence, as the artist asserts his ability to cross genres and formats, his ambition to impact social issues through his art, and his willingness to collaborate with both established and emerging artists from his hometown of Chicago. He ends the song with a rallying cry for unity and resistance against the mainstream culture and the industry's pressures, urging his listeners to stay true to themselves and to support each other.
The lyrics of "Heaven Only Knows" are rich in allusions, metaphors, and slang that create a distinctive mood and voice. For example, the line "Mind in the right field like I'm Ichiro" refers to the Japanese baseball player Ichiro Suzuki, who was known for his focus, discipline, and speed. The phrase "fuck your brand, fuck your blog" implies a rejection of commercialization and self-promotion as the main criteria for success. The wordplay of "sugary medicine" suggests that the artist's music can be both soothing and challenging, appealing to the emotions and the intellect. The image of the world as "sharp as a circus" conveys a sense of danger and instability, where reality is a spectacle that can cut and wound. The rhyme of "neglecting the detail" and "magnificence" plays with the contrast between the micro and the macro levels of artistic expression, suggesting that great art requires attention to both the small and the big picture.
Line by Line Meaning
That's why I love it, I love it, love it, I love it, love it, I love it
Reinforcing his love and passion for the music and the industry.
Look, my girl tripping, say I treat her like a groupie
Acknowledging his girlfriend complaining about him not treating her well, but clarifying that he never took any 'groupies' out to eat.
But I never took a groupie out to eat
Implying that he hasn't taken his girlfriend out to eat either.
See I've been balling, I've been popping
Expressing his success and popularity in the industry.
I've been bubbling, I've been buzzing
Further emphasizing his growing success.
In my city women love me, think I'm pretty
Women are attracted to him and he acknowledges it.
And they confirm it whenever they see me in person
Referencing the public's reaction to his appearance when he is seen in public.
If I said it I meant it, I said it on purpose
Stating his intentions when he speaks - emphasizing his words are meaningful.
Don't sleep on that furnace cause, boy, we hot
Encouraging others not to underestimate his work and talent.
And it's my job to make you think, and make music that you feel
Defining his role as an artist and his responsibility to make music that affects people emotionally and intellectually.
And these songs should make you sing
Expressing the hope that his music is not just heard but that people engage and participate with it.
Ohh ohh ohh, I guess we'll never know (heaven only knows)
Acknowledging that there are many things in life that are unknown or beyond our control, with the reference to 'heaven' suggesting something more profound.
What we need to know, where we need to go
Expressing his uncertainties and questions about the future.
Mind in the right field like I'm Ichiro
Comparing his state of mind to the sharp focus of the former baseball star Ichiro.
I shed light, they need to grow, fuck 'em all
Implying he gives guidance to his listeners and those in his life; also asserting he will do it his way despite criticism.
Fuck they friends, fuck they car, fuck your brand, fuck your blog
Rejecting the influence and validity of social status, possessions or other industry factors.
It's SAVEMONEY, we an army full of generals
Referencing his music collective, which supports its members to work together but also to be independent and innovative.
Here to push the envelope
Their collective goal is to be creative and encourage progress in their work.
And change what they think
Encouraging his listeners to question their beliefs and absorb new ideas from the music.
Where the end will go?
Reiterating his uncertainty about the future and where it will take him.
Will I ever know?
Acknowledging that he may not ever 'know' or be able to predict where his life and career will head.
That's why I love it, I love it, love it, I love it, love it, I love it
Reinforcing his passion and connection to his music.
If I drop it they gonna cop it
Recognizing the demand and anticipation for his music.
I might start a non-for-profit
Expressing his interests in supporting social issues, beyond his music.
My poppa say, "Chancelor, I am so proud of you"
Sharing his father's pride and approval of his work and accomplishments.
Like my beats? They made all of them
Asserting the exclusive creation and ownership of his music, and that these are not just other people's beats.
Kick my feet on the ottoman
Showing attitude and a relaxed swagger.
I just might run for Alderman, you got power too
Suggesting he is considering a political career or advocacy, while encouraging others to recognize their own power and influence.
Sneak that rap, put a message in, it's that sugary medicine
Referencing his unique style and focus on the depth of his lyrics.
Feel like the intro, but better than it's ever been
Feeling confident in the strength and appeal of his work, and that it is his best yet.
Jumping like checkers, clever like chess is
Using imagery to describe his quick thinking and strategic approach to music.
Smoking like purp is, perfect like Surf is, deeper than surface
Comparing his work to high-quality cannabis and other luxury items, while also implying their depth.
Anxious and nervous, the world isn't flat, it's sharp as a circus
Feeling nervous about the challenges of the world, specifically referring to the directness and cruelty of it ('sharp as a circus').
It's starving like sharks is, that's looking for surfers
Implying that the industry is highly aggressive, competitive and often predatory.
I'm not in the industry, not in the service, not into retail
Rejecting labels and categories for his work, emphasizing his independence.
Not into nodding my noggin, neglecting the detail
Criticizing those who do not pay attention to the details and lack creativity; also referencing fellow artists who do nod their head to the beat for approval, rather than genuine appreciation.
I'm only beginning, behold magnificence
Asserting that this is just the start of something great.
Brown-skinned black boy
Describing his race and identity.
When his dread-head friends tall and omnipotent
Describing the physical attributes of his friends and their collective power and potential.
You choke like cinnamon, you broke, I been the man
Using this phrase ambiguously - his competitors may be coughing or they are out of ideas (cinnamon representing dry/thick spice) while he's successful and well respected.
Triiibe, SM and 197 at your fuckin' neck, boy
Referencing his collective and asserting their presence.
Ay yo, why you about to have the hottest tape of 2015? It's stupid
Anticipating the success of his upcoming project that will be the talk of the town.
This song is already so hot, I'm actually just glad you let me rap on that bitch
Acknowledging the quality of this specific song and also grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.
Contributed by Samuel J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@majesticcasual
❤ Towkio - Heaven Only Knows (ft. Chance The Rapper, Lido & Eryn Allen Kane) ❤
@betsymen
***** I ❤ U
@HDMusicRAVE
***** Lausac Citesjam
@alexcassel7452
***** Fell in love from the first second! That voice and that beat - That sound must come straight from heaven.
@kyoungpyohong4387
Alex Cassel
@scribbleworld656
+Majestic Casual this is dope i got the wierdest bonar from this
@majesticcasual
Now in our Majestic Hip Hop playlist!
Make sure to stop by: http://bit.ly/1Vkytpv
@Devilsnowballs
I remember waking up after a night of heavy bong tokes with my friend and going downstairs to listen to music after a nice wake and bake. He put on this song (which was new at the time) to his own excitement and my amazement we listened to it and discussed how great it was. I continued to listen to it alot but eventually forgot about it. A few months ago he passed away in a drunk driving accident. I came back to this just now and can only think about how he knows heaven thank you for this Chance and thanks for showing me this Sid. R.I.P Sid Jahn you will always be my homie.
@ariarobinson4131
Devilsnowballs I’m so sorry. May he rest in paradise
@jfallon20
I’m sorry for you loss man, Rest In Peace 🙏