When Gloves Come Off
Tyler The Creator Feat. Ryan Beatty Lyrics
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La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
When the gloves come off, I sleep
That's when the cold begins to creep (creep in)
I can't feel my hands (ah, ah)
Go down
Back to one (Two)
Woo, yeah
In Tyler The Creator Ryan Beatty's song 'When Gloves Come Off,' the lyrics describe a feeling of vulnerability and discomfort that arises when one removes the protective layer that often shields them from the outside world. Tyler sings, "When the gloves come off, I sleep, That's when the cold begins to creep (creep in)." Here, the gloves represent a barrier, a necessary layer of protection from the external world, and being without them makes the singer feel exposed, vulnerable, and open to attack.
As the song progresses, we get a sense of the singer's inner turmoil, as he describes his hands feeling numb and being unable to "feel the warmth of the sun." This is symbolic of the emotional numbness that arises when we let our guard down and allow ourselves to get hurt by others. The singer describes feeling trapped and longing for escape when he says, "Boom, boom, ba-boom, Go down, Back to one (Two)."
Overall, the lyrics of 'When Gloves Come Off' speak to the human experience of vulnerability, and the intense emotions that arise when we allow ourselves to be open and exposed. The song reminds us of the importance of self-care and self-protection, while also acknowledging that sometimes, we need to take off the gloves and confront the world head-on in order to truly live.
Line by Line Meaning
When the gloves come off, I sleep
I only feel safe when I'm in control and have my protective gear on.
That's when the cold begins to creep (creep in)
Without my gloves, the reality of the harsh, cold world starts to set in.
I can't feel my hands (ah, ah)
The cold is so intense that I lose feeling in my hands.
Boom, boom, ba-boom
Rhythmic sounds that represent the beating of my heart, as well as the sound of fists hitting each other in a fight.
Go down
An invitation for an opponent to give up, fall down or take the punch.
Back to one (Two)
A boxing reference to starting over with a new strategy, making one's opponent think they know what's coming, then changing tactics for the second punch.
Woo, yeah
An expression of excitement or triumph after a successful fight.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ryan Beatty, Tyler Okonma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind