DEARLY DEPARTED by BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers of Loss and Betrayal
Lyrics
I pray I make it outta Texas
I pray my A/C come back on
My mom was stuck outside her job
My sister just asked for a Lexus
Can Jesus send me a message?
What’s the point of havin’ a best friend if you end up losin’ him?
World don’t view my text messages
World don’t view my text messages
Don’t view my bad side
Only get on the ‘Gram to show you motherfuckers the best side
Who am I?
Who am I? Who am I?
Why I hide? Huh
Fourth-grade, Mary J. Blige
All I like, I made a mill off a lie
And I lie so I write another lie
Rca, that note wasn’t ’bout y’all
No lies, ’bout how me and my brothers been traumatized
And I must keep creatin’ truths and hooks to get up outta this hell for myself
Seashells
Dearly departed
Look what you’ve started
I’ve been so heartless
I try, I try, I try
Why?
Why?
Why?
Try
Big dog, I feel like I don’t got anybody on my side no more
Highs to low, truth be told
It’s hard ignore, hard to endure
Where’s my stamina in this life?
Make sure my family tight
More rubies on my neck and they catch me at night
Lookin’ immaculate, no one in sight
Standards are high, expectation is low
Wake up sweatin’ at night, mind in a flight
I don’t get scared no more when I’m standing on the mountain-top
I’m afraid of people dying
Rest in peace Wako, Ray, Rita
Wish you could’ve took me to Japan
Back ten years, holdin’ my hand, felt like a hundred grand
Wish them letters didn’t fade, love will never do the same
Out the window screamin’ your name, bless it
Mama on track, my dad got my back
My sister graduated, now she racin’
Love her through the days and Whiskey in my hand
Bloody colored trinkets wrapped around my wrist
Looking magnificent, man
No stoppin’ me, no boggin’ me down
I know myself, me and the obstacles now
I done shit on myself too much to not know how to move properly now
On the property now, money gets foul
Keep your wits about you
They stretch the truth longer than the Nile
Eyes full of evil, mouth full of vile
They tracin’ your smile
Stay alert, big dog
Only one life is offered to you
(Only one life is offered to you)
How many sides to a story can there be when you saw it with your own eyes?
I got all my thoughts out on records y’all won’t ever hear
Try to give it time
Find that truth trickles down, hits the fan
Freezes over like a dagger to the spine
When somebody that you know throws you in the fire
How do you survive?
I kicked down the door inside a home
I didn’t own just to save a friend’s life
Little did I know, the one who pulled the strings was once on my side
I had just moved to Texas, tried to make it right
I do not feel obliged to dismiss the truth because of how I feel about our time
If I knew what you would do to someone you owe money to, you wouldn’t get a dime
Watch for where you land, sorry ’bout your plans
That was all a scam, you won’t understand
Pass the weight off to your friends and never face the truth
Because you never learned how to be a man
And it’s not my fault, and it’s not my problem anymore
That’s just where you stand
That’s just who you are
That’s your cross to bear
You could talk to God
I don’t wanna hear, motherfucker
In the raw and revealing landscape of BROCKHAMPTON’s fifth studio album, ‘GINGER,’ lies ‘DEARLY DEPARTED,’ a track that unfolds as a nuanced tapestry of grief, betrayal, and the arduous journey towards closure. Through its poignant verses, the song grapples with the complex emotions erupting from the departure of a once-trusted friend and collaborator, as well as the broader strokes of loss that paint our personal histories.
Sifting through the multi-layered lyrics of ‘DEARLY DEPARTED,’ listeners embark on an emotional odyssey where each member confronts their demons, both within and without, wrestling with the pain of disillusionment and the tumultuous path to healing. The song’s visceral narrative delivers a gut punch of honesty, paired with the group’s signature musical innovation that refuses to shy away from confronting the uncomfortable truths of human relationships.
The Trauma of Betrayal: Dissecting the Emotional Core
At the heart of ‘DEARLY DEPARTED’ lies the raw exposure of betrayal. The group unpacks the aftermath of severed ties with former member Ameer Vann, who left amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The pain reverberates through visceral lines like ‘How many sides to a story can there be when you saw it with your own eyes?’ Here, the search for truth and the struggle with personal loyalty becomes a glaring battlefield, etching the scars of disappointment into the group’s collective conscience.
This expression of betrayal extends beyond the confines of personal relationships and mirrors the broader disenchantment with society. The notion of undisputed narratives and sharing only one’s ‘best side’ on platforms like Instagram underscores how superficiality often masks authentic emotional experiences, a struggle evidently shared by the group’s members.
From Texas to Truth: A Geographical and Moral Journey
The journey from Texas symbolizes not only a physical departure but also an emotional and spiritual migration to authenticity. As the song’s narrator prays for escapism — ‘I pray I make it outta Texas’ — it becomes clear that the turmoil faced isn’t merely about geographic roots but escaping the haunting memories and the claustrophobia of a tainted past.
This longing to break free from environmental constraints parallels BROCKHAMPTON’s desire to sever the ties of their previous incarnations and the toxicity of past relationships. They seek solace in their progression and look for redemption in the rhythm and rhymes of their music, finding solace in the creative process that offers them salvation from the troubled waters of their former lives.
Decoding the Hidden Meaning: The Struggle with Inner Demons
The track takes a deep dive into each member’s battle with internal adversaries. When they profess, ‘Who am I? Why I hide?’ there’s a recognition of the internal face-off with identity and self-perception. It’s a question of whether they can truly reconcile their public persona with their private anguish.
The genre-defying group confronts the grotesque reflections of themselves that surface following tragedy and betrayal — recognizing the depth of their pain while questioning the integrity of their self-representation. In ‘DEARLY DEPARTED,’ the sincerest self-inquiry becomes a haunting refrain, casting shadows over the very essence of what they’ve built and who they’ve become.
Lyrical Breakdown: The Memorable Lines That Shake the Soul
‘DEARLY DEPARTED’ serves as a lyrical exposé with standout lines that resonate with unyielding intensity. Verses like ‘Little did I know, the one who pulled the strings was once on my side,’ encapsulate the dissonance between the group’s past camaraderie and their present-day disillusionment.
Every phrase is carefully crafted to encapsulate the myriad of emotions the group contends with, incorporating references to materialism, familial bonds, and self-worth. These lines aren’t merely throwaway lyrics; they act as profound contemplations on the nature of trust, the fragility of relationships, and the inexorable pursuit of personal truth.
Beyond the Melody: How ‘DEARLY DEPARTED’ Influences Cultural Dialogue
‘DEARLY DEPARTED’ stands as a cultural marker, illustrating the profound way music can foster conversation around delicate topics such as accountability, mental health, and the dynamics of friendship. BROCKHAMPTON doesn’t just drop beats; they drop significant questions about society’s fabric, urging fans and critics alike to introspect and debate.
By laying their vulnerabilities bare, the band contributes an undeniably raw sound to the hip-hop scene, prompting listeners to reflect on their personal experiences of love, loss, and the often-painful journey of growth. In doing so, ‘DEARLY DEPARTED’ becomes more than a song—it transforms into a catalyst for catharsis and a medium for understanding the labyrinthine nature of human emotions in our contemporary world.
