This song drew controversy after Logic used an almost identical sample loop in his November 2015 song, “Stainless.” Both songs sample the same part of Marvin Gaye’s “Distant Lover.”
Logic explained the backstory behind the similar samples in a November 2015 interview with Hot 97, confirming that he and Travis had spoken about it prior to its release.
In an interview with DJ Booth—as part of their Beat Break series, he contextualized the song, saying:
"That was another one of my favorite songs. I’m talking about the actual live version I sampled. What put me onto it was essentially Kanye, back when “Spaceships” came out. I was like, ‘what is that?!’ It was my favorite song for a long time, I found the sample and I fell in love with the song. Then I found that live version. As soon as I heard the intro I was in love—period.
I chopped up the sample into a bunch of different chops. Starting from when Marvin starts to talk. I manually chop all of my samples on this playlist, so this was one of those. Initially, I had a big puzzle of chops and I just pieced this puzzle of sound together. And I heard what I wanted one day because it took me a while to conquer this sample. But this one day, I put the chops together how we hear it now and was instantly inspired to play keys around it. This beat came about pretty fast once I started making it with that direction.
Next came the hi-hats and percussion, and drums shortly after. I feel we put more into the hi-hats than any of the other drums. Also, I had the beat with a bit more swing initially and it sounded more hip-hop. The beat sat in my library for a while until I sent it to my bro OZ and he added a different swing to it with changing the snare and the swing of the kicks but keeping the original vibe. He also added a melody in the beat that sticks out and from then, I knew it was perfected! I knew whoever got on this beat that it would bring something out of them because it had so much soul in the instrumental already. I sent it to 1da and he loved it as well! He sent it to Travis and the rest is history.
It ended up being on just the Days Before Rodeo, which was cool, just the same: we didn’t get any bread for it, but we got so much respect for that record. I wouldn’t even trade that for the money that we would’ve got."
Backyard
Travi$ Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yuh, yuh, yuh
Gon' grab that fifth, grab that eighth, grab what you need
Blow that dope, don't get too high
From the Third Coast to the West Coast, come, take this ride
Let me tell the tale of how Jacques turned Scott
Over one lost trip to the sky
When you said I could make it this high
Who knew?
Goddammit, who knew?
The grass ain't greener on the other side, it's just blue
You can really identify when you lookin' in your eyes
You ready to ride, that's true
When they look in my eyes, they see that real
How Scotty entired that juice, had my back against that wall
Every summer felt so cold, my daddy ain't comin' home 'til Fall
That's why my pimp game so moist, had that du-rag and all
Had a 20-year-old bitch in high school
Wasn't no tellin' what Travy might do
On the south side of that H-O-U...
Hol' up, let's take it back to that room, no car but still had drive
Just a hundred niggas standin' outside
Life's a beach with lot of sand on the lot
I'ma ride for all of my niggas, they forever here by my side
It was just eight niggas in a two bedroom, no leg room, that was last June, yeah, yeah, for real
Yeah, yeah, for real
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout me, nigga
Let it be known, yeah, it's that real, yeah, yeah, for real, for real
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout
We them niggas everybody talkin' 'bout, it's that real, yeah, for real
Backyard, we chillin', backyard, we drinkin', smokin'
Homie brought out the liquor, backyard, we gettin' high
Back-backyard, we chillin', back-backyard, we smokin', drinkin'
Back-backyard, we gettin' high, backyard, we chillin'
Backyard, we drinkin', smokin', homie brought out the liquor
Backyard, we gettin' high, back-backyard, we chillin'
Back-backyard, we smokin', drinkin', back-backyard, we gettin' high
Verses, one day you'll find your purpose
Now, my show's packed out like churches
Fans never missin' out a word on the verses
Never sit around, just workin', it was worth it
That's for certain, I deserve it
Lord knows we don't get tired, did more dirt than a derby
Mama worked for AT&T, and we still ain't get that service
She stayed in-out the hospital, you know that made me nervous
Still step out the house to smell so fresh, fresh like detergent
If a bitch don't want me, don't need them still got my Jergens
And bitch, you can keep them herpes, go alert me
No house light on, cop light on, fuck this journey
You heard me, you heard me, now, swervin', hittin' curbs
And my nigga, my nigga came home so it just got real
Yeah, yeah, for real
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout me, nigga
Let it be known, yeah, it's that real, yeah, yeah, for real, for real
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout
We them niggas everybody talkin' 'bout, it's that real, yeah, for real
Backyard, we chillin', backyard, we drinkin', smokin'
Homie brought out the liquor, backyard, we gettin' high
Back-backyard, we chillin', back-backyard, we smokin', drinkin'
Back-backyard, we gettin' high, backyard, we chillin'
Backyard, we drinkin', smokin', homie brought out the liquor
Backyard, we gettin' high, back-backyard, we chillin'
Back-backyard, we smokin', drinkin', back-backyard, we gettin' high
The song Backyard by Travi$ Scott is about his experiences and journey to success. The first verse talks about his drug habits and how he had to take control of them to avoid getting too high. He then talks about his personal journey from the Third Coast to the West Coast and how he believes that the grass is not always greener on the other side but just blue, implying that success does not necessarily mean that one is better off. Travi$ then talks about a lost trip to the sky, which he believes was God's turning point for him.
The second verse talks about Travi$ Scott's humble beginnings, his struggles, and how he triumphed despite the challenges. He raps about how he used to cope with his challenges with leisure activities such as smoking and drinking in the backyard with his friends. In essence, the song is about Travi$ Scott's hard work and perseverance in overcoming his struggles despite his humble beginnings. The song showcases Travi$ Scott's unconventional style and how he incorporates personal storytelling into his music.
Line by Line Meaning
'Aight play the shit
Let's listen to the song
Gon' grab that fifth, grab that eighth
Going to purchase and use illegal substances
Got what you need, blow that dope, don't get too high
Explaining how to use the aforementioned illegal substances; warning against overuse
From the Third Coast to the West Coast, come take this ride
Inviting listeners to join Scott on his journey through life
Let me tell the tale of how God turned Scott
Explaining how Scott's life was changed by a spiritual experience
Over one lost trip to the sky
Implying that Scott had a drug-induced spiritual experience
Let me tell the tale cause you throwed the tail
Scott is reiterating that he will share his story with listeners
When you said I could make it this high
Acknowledging the support of others in his success
Who knew? God dammit who knew?
Expressing disbelief at his success
The grass ain't greener on the other side, it's just blue
Suggesting that success doesn't guarantee happiness
You can really identify when you lookin' in your eyes
An introspective moment, reflecting on oneself
You ready to ride, that's true
Asking if listeners are ready to join him on his journey
When they look in my eyes, they see that roll
Acknowledging the visible effects of drug use
How Scotty entired that juice
Describing how he became involved with drugs
Had my back against that wall
Recounting a difficult time in his life
Every summer felt so cold
Reflecting on a time period that was emotionally challenging
My daddy ain't comin' home 'til fall
Explaining a difficult family situation
That's why my pimp game so moist
Using humor to describe his success with women
Had that du-rag and all
Describing his appearance at the time
Had a 20 year old bitch in high school
Boasting about sexual conquests
Wasn't no tellin' what Travy might do
A statement on his unpredictable behavior
On the south side of that HOU
The location where these events took place
Hollup, let's take it back to that room
Taking a trip down memory lane
No car but still had drop
Reflecting on a time when he didn't have much
Just a hundred niggas standin' outside
Describing a scene where he was surrounded by friends
Life's a beach with lot of sand on the lot
Using wordplay to say life is difficult
I'ma ride for all of my niggas
Showing loyalty to his friends
They forever here by my side
Reiterating his friendship with his crew
Verses, one day you'll find your purpose
Encouraging listeners to find their own purpose in life
Now my show's packed out like churches
Showing the success he has achieved since his early days
Fans never missin' out a word on the verses
Praising his fans for their loyalty
Never sit around, just workin', it was worth it
Emphasizing the hard work he has put in
That's for certain, I deserve it
Showing confidence in his success
Lord knows we don't get tired, did more dirt than a derby
Implying that he has worked hard and done questionable things to achieve success
Momma worked for AT&T and we still ain't get that service
Describing a frustrating experience with a phone company
She stayed in/out the hospital, you know that made me nervous
Explaining a difficult time in his personal life
Still step out the house to smell so fresh, fresh like detergent
Taking pride in personal appearance despite personal difficulties
If a bitch don't want me, don't need them still got my Jergens
Using humor to show that he doesn't need anyone else
And you can keep them herpes
A vulgar joke about avoiding sexually transmitted infections
Call Erbie
A reference to collaborator Mike Dean
No house light on, cop light on, fuck this journey
Reflecting on the difficulties he has faced and the dangers he has experienced
You heard me, you heard me
Expressing the seriousness of the situation
Now swervin', hittin' curbs
Describing an experience of driving under the influence
And my nigga, my nigga came home so it just got real
Celebrating a friend who has recently been released from prison
Backyard, we chillin'
Describing a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere
Backyard, we drinkin', smokin'
Describing drug and alcohol use
Homie brought out the liquor
Acknowledging a friend who is sharing alcohol
Backyard, we gettin' high
Continuing to describe drug use
Back Backyard, we chillin'
Repeating the description of a relaxed atmosphere
Back Backyard, we smokin', drinkin'
Repeating the description of drug and alcohol use
Back Backyard, we gettin' high
Repeating the description of drug use once again
Yeah yeah forreal
An exclamation of authenticity
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout me, nigga
Ignoring criticism from others
Let it be known, yeah it's that real
Asserting the authenticity of his experiences
We them niggas everybody talkin' 'bout, it's that real
Emphasizing his place in the music industry and in popular culture
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jacques Webster, Joshua Scruggs, Ozan Yildrim, Marvin Gaye
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@angellgirll777
this is hands down his best song. this song just showcases his lyricism and flow in its purest form.
also, in my opinion, my top 5 list of songs by him would be:
5. no bystanders & houstonfornication (astroworld)
4. maria, I'm drunk (rodeo)
3. impossible (rodeo)
2. the prayer (days before rodeo)
1. backyard (days before rodeo)
@bigbans437
Another very unappreciated travis scott song
@charlesmane4171
matt tv there are so many
@blahblahblah7583
what the name of the song?
@TheMumblex3
broke gamer YES!
@myhobari
ikr
@stephanedubois6578
i disagree
@artbreeze8286
I don‘t care what anybody says this will forever be my number 1 travis song of all time, the vibe of this is just so unreal….
@trav4849
real
@ILikeHDG
Yeah yeah for real
@MoeSkittles247
lmao lowkey