19.10 by Childish Gambino Lyrics Meaning – Deciphering the Complex Layers of Identity and Perception
Lyrics
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Let me tell you something true
I remember back when I was six years old
Daddy said “the world’s so cold”
“There is something that you should know”, uh
“You’re so gorgeous”, thank you daddy
“Nothing’s really worth your time”
“But someday soon you just might find”
“The truth about the world’s design”, oh
To be beautiful is to be hunted
I can’t change the truth, I can’t get you used to this
No, no, no, no, yeah, yeah, yeah
To be beautiful is to be hunted
I can’t change the truth, I can’t get you used to this
And I know that, yeah
Now remember
You do what the hell you want
But someone’s gonna smell your funk
You’re exactly what they want (truth)
To be happy
Really means that someone else ain’t
And balance ain’t a one-food plate
Everything is give and take, oh oh
To be beautiful is to be hunted
I can’t change your truth, I can’t get you used to this
To be beautiful is to be hunted
I can’t change the truth, I can’t get you used to this
And I know
Go’ do it like this, OK
Shoulder shake, whoa (oh no)
Do it in and out, ayy, ayy
To be beautiful is to be hunted
I can’t change the truth, I can’t get you used to this
Can’t get you used to this, no no no no
To be beautiful is to be hunted
I can’t change the truth, I can’t get you used to this
Ooh, give it to me now
Bring the strings back
To be beautiful is to be hunted
We are beautiful, yeah
That’s so beautiful
That’s so beautiful
Childish Gambino, a polymath of the modern age, intersects his sharp artistic vision with social commentary and introspection in his song ‘19.10,’ from the enigmatic album ‘3.15.20.’ The track unfolds as a profound exploration of self-worth, societal expectations, and the poignant truths nestled within the human experience.
By unfurling lyrical tapestries that highlight the tension between external validation and internal fulfillment, Gambino offers his listeners a vulnerable reflection flavored with the complexities of beauty, existence, and the consequence of being perceived. As we dissect the lyrical content, layers unravel to reveal heartfelt insights that resonate far beyond the confines of the song’s melody.
The Haunting Mantra: To Be Beautiful is to Be Hunted
Echoing throughout the track, the mantra ‘To be beautiful is to be hunted’ encapsulates the central motif of ‘19.10.’ Gambino explores the dichotomy of beauty as both a blessing and a curse, a magnet for admiration and a target for envy and predation. This haunting refrain serves as a chorus, but also a philosophical musing, confronting listeners with the unsettling reality that with allure comes the unwanted gaze of predators.
He emphasizes an immutable truth that he can neither alter nor prepare us for – being beautiful entails a certain vulnerability. This raw honesty about the societal double-edged sword regarding physical appeal demands our introspection about how we perceive and what it truly costs to be deemed attractive.
Echoes from Childhood: Insights on Existential Design
In ‘19.10,’ Gambino reminisces on the early moments of existential awakening, imparted by his father. Phrases like ‘the world’s so cold’ and ‘someday soon you just might find the truth about the world’s design’ illustrate the seeds of cognizance planted in youth, foreshadowing the realization that the world operates on principles that are not always fair or kind.
This ‘design’ implies a predetermined system, where concepts of beauty and happiness are intrinsically linked and rigorously imbalanced. The juxtaposition of his father’s belief that ‘nothing’s really worth your time’ with the inevitable education in life’s harsh realities conjures a trajectory of growth that is as jarring as it is inescapable.
The Futility of Balance: A Quest for Equilibrium
Gambino delves into the elusive nature of happiness and balance, underscoring the notion that joy is often paralleled by the disenchantment of others. ‘To be happy / Really means that someone else ain’t / And balance ain’t a one-food plate’ suggests that our contentment is frequently a zero-sum game, predicated on taking and giving in equal measure.
The song’s lyrical structure reinforces the message, as moments of melodic tranquility are quickly followed by the weighty assertions of the chorus. Just like the give and take of life, the song allows you to revel in its beauty before swiftly reminding you of the underlying truth – one that Gambino insists upon repeatedly.
Inner Liberation Amidst External Constraints
One striking message within ‘19.10’ is the encouragement towards autonomy in the face of social preconceptions. Gambino implores, ‘Now remember / You do what the hell you want,’ expressing a defiance against conforming to external pressures. The lyric ‘but someone’s gonna smell your funk,’ however, conveys that no matter the individuality one pursues, judgment and scrutiny from others are inevitable.
This dialogue between doing as one pleases and the subsequent social reaction reflects our perpetual struggle to navigate self-expression within the confines of societal norms. The song suggests an acceptance of this dynamic as part of the human condition, perhaps as an inescapable rite of passage to finding one’s authenticity.
Uncovering the Song’s Hidden Meanings: The Weight of Aesthetics
Beneath the surface of ‘19.10,’ there lies a complex commentary on the commodification of beauty and the objectification that often accompanies it. When Gambino croons ‘To be beautiful is to be hunted,’ he exposes the relentless pursuit and subsequent exploitation that can occur when aesthetics are appraised above all.
Moreover, the implied burden of maintaining such beauty under the scope of public scrutiny offers a solemn understanding that our perception of worth is inexorably linked to the value assigned by onlookers. In this regard, ‘19.10’ pierces through the veneer of glamour to uncover the sobering realities faced by those idolized and hunted for their beauty.
