PUPPET
Tyler The Creator Lyrics

Ayo
Beginning of the song, introduction

I wanna talk, I wanna call you and talk
Wants to connect with the listener and have a conversation

I wanna walk to your front door and knock
Desires to meet the listener in person

After I stop
Pause in the conversation, for effect

My vehicle drive to your city 'cause we live an hour apart
Willing to travel to meet the listener

Land at your driveway and put it in park
Arrive at the listener's house

Then do the third line of this verse
Reference to going back to the second line to continue the story

Then back to my house and we pack up our bikes
Asks the listener to join in on an activity

And we ride through the park, chase the sun
Enjoys spending time with the listener outdoors

'Cause that's all I want, other than air
There is nothing else he desires more than spending time with the listener

Oxygen, air, financial freedom, yeah
Other things he values in life

I want your company, I need your company
Expresses his need to be around the listener

I want you to want for me, I can't maneuver
Needs the listener to show mutual interest

Without you next to me
Feels incomplete without the listener

It's so complex to me
Expresses how complicated his emotions are

What do you need?
Asks the listener what they desire

Do you need bread? Do you need this?
Asks if material possessions would make the listener happy

Do you need a hug? Do you need to be alone?
Asks if emotional or physical closeness is what the listener needs

I could wrap this up and get the fuck away instead
Acknowledges that there is a possibility of not being what the listener needs

What is your wish? It can be granted
Willingness to fulfill the listener's desires

You're number one, one on my list
Assures the listener of their importance

To you, I'm Santa, Where is Rudolph? You're parasitic
Metaphorical gesture stating that the listener is dependent on him

I do not have self-control
Admits to lacking self-control in the context of his relationship with the listener

I am startin' to wonder
Starting to question the nature of his feelings and emotions

Is this my free will or yours?
Questions who has more control in the relationship

(Yours, yours, yours)
Shows that the listener has control over him

I'm your puppet
Comes to the realization that he is being controlled by the listener

You control me
Confirms that the control is in the hands of the listener

I'm your puppet
Reiterates that he is being controlled by the listener

I don't know me
Expresses how the controlling nature of the listener has affected him

(Did I wait too long?) I'm your puppet
Asks if he waited too long to take control of his life

(Did I wait too long?) You control me
Confirms that the listener still controls him

(Did I wait too long?) I'm your puppet
States how much the lyrics are true

(Did I wait too long?) I don't know me
Feels like he has lost himself because of the control over him

'Cause I'm your puppet (puppet, oh)
Repeating that the listener is the one controlling his life

You control me (control me)
Reiterates that the listener is in charge of him

I'm your puppet (puppet)
Acknowledges that he is doing someone else's bidding

I don't know (ooh ah)
Admits to not knowing what is in his best interest

I'm your puppet
Confirms the fact that the listener has control over him

(Did I wait too long?) Ohh
Shows regret for not having control over his life

Woah, oh, oh (puppet)
Ending the song by repeating 'puppet'

You lost, son, and you've been tryna find your way to me
A voice from the outside world, acknowledging that he has lost himself and is trying to navigate back to his true self

Ay, to me, he's on somethin' that I hate to see
Shows that the observer sees something wrong with the singer's behavior and wants him to change

A to Z, nah son, I'm gonna take a breathe
A change in direction from the previous addresses, suggesting he wants to take a break, reevaluate, and prioritize

Run a 'thon, I just stop and I'ma take the breather
Metaphorically suggests that he needs a break from everything in his life

On a cedar
Begins to tell a story about something else instead of focusing on his problems

On a wee verse
Continues to tell a story instead of addressing his issues

Light the weed first
Smoking a joint to relax and catch his breath

Blowin' reefers, get the reverse (yeah, we 'bout to scream, yeah, we 'bout to scream)
Escaping and being carefree with his friends

Get the weed (yeah, we 'bout to scream, oh lord)
Continuing to enjoy his time with his friends

(La, la, la, la)
Repeating a nonsensical phrase

(La, la, la) Breathe on a song
Trying to clear his mind by breathing and singing

(La, la, la) Breathe on a song
Continuing to clear his mind through music

(La, la, la, la, la, la) Breathe on a song
Suggesting that music can help him escape and clear his mind

(I've been lost)
Admitting to being lost and acknowledging his current state

(La, la, la)
Repeating a nonsensical phrase

(La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la)
Continuing with the nonsensical phrase

(I've been lost, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Emphasizing his state of being lost

But at some point, you come to your senses
Realizing that at some point, he needs to come to terms with his reality and change his ways