dropout by brakence Lyrics Meaning – Dissecting the Coming-of-Age Rebellion Anthem
Lyrics
Would you say something?
I can’t wait no longer
Dropped out, I was 17
Wasting all my money mixing dope and LSD
Man, mama said don’t get ahead of me
But I don’t wanna finish college, I got hella dreams
Well, I don’t know what’s gotten into me
Ever since I stopped pretending, it was history
Dropped out, I was 17
Now I’ve got more freedom than I’ve ever seen
Life don’t have directions
And I been trying to quarantine
The thought of heaven in the meantime
I’ve realized I’ve been there before
All the doors are closed
Wanted so much more
Now its nice to know
There’s no inner me
Or a victory
Its all costumes, funny dances to-
I can do anything
Dropped out, I was 17
Wasting all my money mixing dope and LSD
Man, mama said don’t get ahead of me
But I don’t wanna finish college, I got hella dreams
Well, I don’t know what’s gotten into me
Ever since I stopped pretending, it was history
Dropped out, I was 17
Now I’ve got more freedom than I’ve ever seen
I love my mama
Don’t wanna be apart, man
My brother Sajes’ gon’ get an apartment
Flipping the pages to get into the garden
By now the mara taller, treat me like a god damn
Feelings rolled up and it’s ’bout time
Exhale in the ninth cloud, cloud nine
I got money, I’ll expand on it
Can’t see your plans, authority couldn’t handle us
Okay, this the type shit that make my hands fall asleep
Low blood sugar and some more caffeine
I don’t need loving but I want that cheap
So much luck that I’ve laughed to pieces
Looked inside for some consolation
I found a bi dime in his prime, embraced it, I
Learned it was never complicated
You are who you are, don’t keep you waiting
I said you are who you are, don’t keep you waiting
(I can’t wait no longer)
I said you
(Won’t you say something)
I said you are who you are, man
(I can’t wait no longer)
Dropped out, I was 17
Wasting all my money, buying 1-P LSD
Mama said don’t get ahead of me
Well I don’t wanna finish college, I got hella dreams
I don’t know what’s gotten into me
Ever since I stopped pretending, it was history
Dropped out, I was 17
Now I’ve got more freedom than I ever seen
He was only in town for like,
A month, and we’ve been friends for like-
In a world where teenage angst and the spirit of rebellion are often soundtrack staples, brakence’s ‘dropout’ stands as a poignant chronicle of the Gen-Z experience. The track is not just another anthem of youthful defiance; it is a labyrinth of layered emotions, self-discovery, and a stark refusal of conventional pathways.
This raw, unvarnished look into the mind of a teenager at the crossroads of life’s expectations and personal dreams catapults listeners into a turbulent sea of introspection. As we navigate the verses, we unravel the complexities of a mind bracing against societal norms and embracing the tumultuous journey of self-realization.
A Modern Exodos from Expected Milestones
The opening line sets the stage – a dropout at 17, foregoing the expected rite of passage through college for ‘hella dreams’. This is not just about the act of dropping out; it’s about questioning the predefined path. Here, brakence becomes the mouthpiece for a generation not content with the one-size-fits-all future.
The melody builds around this defiance, creating an auditory mural of resistance and independence. It’s a gamble on the self over the system, bolstering the increasing sentiment amongst youth that traditional education might not be the only road to success.
Unveiling the Intoxicating Mix of Freedom and Fear
Mixed with dope and LSD, the lyrics symbolize a heady cocktail of liberation, confusion, and experimentation—a metaphor for the intoxicating and sometimes terrifying freedom that comes with stepping off the beaten path.
brakence’s admission of ‘I don’t know what’s gotten into me’ is an echo of the inner turmoil that comes with charting one’s course. The exhilaration of this freedom is infectious; the lyricist has more of it than he’s ever seen, painting a picture of boundless horizons marred by the shadows of uncertainty.
Embracing Identity Beyond Triumphs and Tinsels
The song’s bridge offers an existential reprieve, delving into the futility of seeking purpose from external affirmations. By singing ‘There’s no inner me / Or a victory / It’s all costumes, funny dances too— / I can do anything,’ brakence captures the essence of true freedom: the self not as a construct of accomplishments but an entity unlimited by them.
These lines suggest an awareness that living is beyond the dichotomy of winning or losing; it is in the authentic expression of being. This realization portrays an evolution from the rebellion of dropout to an existential awakening.
The Deceptively Simple, Memorable Lines That Hit Hard
brakence’s candid lyricism shines through in lines like ‘Flipping the pages to get into the garden.’ It’s an allusion to the biblical paradise—an innocence lost and the yearning to return to a state of simple bliss. Yet, there’s a twist: brakence no longer seeks entry but flips through the narrative of his life, taking command of his destiny.
The verse ‘Exhale in the ninth cloud, cloud nine’ encapsulates the highs and lows of his post-dropout reality. The duality of experiencing cloud nine – euphoria – while simultaneously being on the ninth cloud – an idiom for being out of touch with reality – exemplifies the oscillating emotional state he’s navigating.
The Hidden Message in the Outro’s Abrupt End
Delving deeper, we muse on the abrupt conclusion of the song, which stalls mid-sentence. We’re left hanging as if a conversation was cut short, or an encounter ended before its time. Perhaps this is a metaphor for the dropout itself—a journey that veers off unexpectedly, or a life where the next chapter remains unwritten.
This stark and sudden silence can be jarring, but it’s fitting for a song that celebrates breaking free from the confines of convention. The abrupt end isn’t an oversight but a deliberate artistic choice mirroring life’s unpredictable and unfinished symphony.
