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
Travis Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Aight play the shit
Gon' grab that fifth, grab that eighth
Got 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 God turned Scott
Over one lost trip to the sky
When you said I could make it this high
Who knew? God dammit 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 roll
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 HOU
Hollup, let's take it back to that room
No car but still had drop
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 8 niggas in a two bedroom
No leg room, that was last June, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah forreal
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout me, nigga
Let it be known, yeah it's that real
Yeah yeah forreal
Forreal
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout
We them niggas everybody talkin' 'bout, it's that real
Yeah, forreal
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
Momma 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 you can keep them herpes
Call Erbie
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 forreal
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout me, nigga
Let it be known, yeah it's that real
Yeah yeah forreal
Forreal
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout
We them niggas everybody talkin' 'bout, it's that real
Yeah, forreal
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 lyrics of this song tell the story of Travis Scott's rise to fame from his humble beginnings. In the first verse, he talks about the drug use that is prevalent in his hometown, and how he has managed to avoid getting too high. He also touches on his journey from the Third Coast to the West Coast and how God helped him through one lost trip to the sky. Travis Scott then highlights how people underestimated him but he made it despite their low expectations. He emphasizes that the grass isn't greener on the other side, it just looks that way.
In the second verse, Travis Scott goes on to reminisce about the earlier days when he and his friends were living in a tiny two-bedroom apartment. He also touches on some of the hardships he overcame, including his father's absence in his life and his mother's hospitalization, which made him worry. However, Travis was persistent and worked hard to get where he is today. He also shows how he’s still loyal to his friends he grew up with, as they are with him no matter what. The chorus of the song is about how Travis Scott and his friends are chilling in the backyard, drinking, smoking, and just enjoying life.
Overall, Backyard is a song that focuses on Travis Scott's journey to success and the hardships he has to overcome to get there. The song is a celebration of his triumphs, as well as his loyalty to the people who have been with him on his journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Gon' grab that fifth, grab that eighth
Let's get a bottle of liquor and some weed
Got what you need, blow that dope, don't get too high
We have everything necessary to smoke the weed, but let's not overdose and get too high
From the Third Coast to the West Coast, come take this ride
Let's take a ride from Texas to California
Let me tell the tale of how God turned Scott
Travis Scott wants to tell the story of how he became successful with the help of God
Over one lost trip to the sky
Travis Scott was inspired by a failed attempt to become a pilot
Let me tell the tale cause you throwed the tail
Travis Scott wants to tell his story because someone else misunderstood his journey
When you said I could make it this high
Someone encouraged Travis Scott to become successful and he wants to prove them right
You can really identify when you lookin' in your eyes
You can discover your true self by looking at your own reflection
You ready to ride, that's true
You are ready to go on this journey with Travis Scott
When they look in my eyes, they see that roll
Travis Scott's eyes reveal his true personality and lifestyle
Had my back against that wall
Travis Scott was in a tough situation with limited options
Every summer felt so cold
Travis Scott had a difficult upbringing and struggled through the summers
My daddy ain't comin' home 'til fall
Travis Scott's father was absent for long periods of time
That's why my pimp game so moist
Travis Scott learned how to survive and thrive in harsh environments
Had that du-rag and all
Travis Scott dressed a certain way to fit in with his surroundings
Had a 20 year old bitch in high school
Travis Scott had a relationship with an older woman while in high school
Wasn't no tellin' what Travy might do
Travis Scott was unpredictable and took risks
On the south side of that HOU
Travis Scott is from the south side of Houston, Texas
Hollup, let's take it back to that room
Let's go back to a room where Travis Scott has memories
No car but still had drop
Travis Scott didn't have a car but still had style
Just a hundred niggas standin' outside
Travis Scott was popular despite not having many material possessions
Life's a beach with lot of sand on the lot
Life can be enjoyable but is not always easy
I'ma ride for all of my niggas
Travis Scott will support and protect his friends
They forever here by my side
Travis Scott's friends are loyal and will always support him
It was just 8 niggas in a two bedroom
Travis Scott and his friends had to share a small living space
No leg room, that was last June, yeah yeah
The living space was cramped and uncomfortable, which Travis Scott remembers from the previous year
Verses, one day you'll find your purpose
Travis Scott's music contains messages of encouragement and inspiration
Now my show's packed out like churches
Travis Scott is now successful and his concerts are popular
Fans never missin' out a word on the verses
Travis Scott's fans know all of the words to his songs
Never sit around, just workin', it was worth it
Travis Scott worked hard and it paid off
That's for certain, I deserve it
Travis Scott believes he deserves his success
Lord knows we don't get tired, did more dirt than a derby
Travis Scott has been through a lot and has had to work hard to get where he is
Momma worked for AT&T and we still ain't get that service
Despite having a mother who worked for a phone company, Travis Scott's family still didn't have reliable service
She stayed in/out the hospital, you know that made me nervous
Travis Scott's mother had health issues which caused him to worry
Still step out the house to smell so fresh, fresh like detergent
Travis Scott always tries to look and smell good, even when times are tough
If a bitch don't want me, don't need them still got my Jergens
Travis Scott doesn't need to impress anyone else or have a relationship to be happy
And you can keep them herpes
Travis Scott doesn't want to deal with any STDs
Call Erbie
Travis Scott wants someone named Erbie to come help him
No house light on, cop light on, fuck this journey
Travis Scott is frustrated with the obstacles he faces in his career
Now swervin', hittin' curbs
Travis Scott is driving erratically
And my nigga, my nigga came home so it just got real
Travis Scott's friend has been released from jail, making things more exciting
Fuck what they talkin' 'bout if they ain't talkin' 'bout me, nigga
Travis Scott doesn't care about gossip or rumors if they aren't about him
Let it be known, yeah it's that real
Travis Scott wants people to know that his success is real and not fabricated
We them niggas everybody talkin' 'bout, it's that real
Travis Scott and his friends are the popular ones that everyone is talking about
Backyard, we chillin'
Travis Scott and his friends are relaxing in the backyard
Backyard, we drinkin', smokin'
Travis Scott and his friends are drinking and smoking in the backyard
Homie brought out the liquor
One of Travis Scott's friends brought out some alcohol
Backyard, we gettin' high
Travis Scott and his friends are smoking weed and getting high
Back Backyard, we chillin'
Travis Scott and his friends are relaxing even more in the backyard
Back Backyard, we smokin', drinkin'
Travis Scott and his friends continue to smoke and drink in the backyard
Back Backyard, we gettin' high
Travis Scott and his friends are still smoking weed and getting high in the backyard
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jacques Webster
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