Forever by Drake Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Ambition in Drake’s Timeless Anthem
Lyrics
But understand nothing was done for me
So I don’t plan on stoppin’ at all
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
I’m shuttin’ shit down in the mall
And tellin’ every girl she the one for me
And I ain’t even plannin’ to call
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
Last name Ever, first name Greatest
Like a sprained ankle, boy, I ain’t nothin’ to play with
Started off local, but thanks to all the haters
I know G-IV pilots on a first name basis
In your city faded off the brown, Nino
She insists she got more class, we know
Swimmin’ in the money come and find me, Nemo
If I was at the club you know I balled, chemo
Dropped the mixtape, that shit sounded like an album
Who’d have thought a country wide tour’d be the outcome?
Labels want my name beside a X, like Malcolm
Everybody got a deal, I did it without one
Yeah, nigga, I’m about my business
Killin’ all these rappers, you would swear I had a hit list
Everyone who doubted me is askin’ for forgiveness
If you ain’t been a part of it, at least you got to witness
Bitches
It may not mean nothin’ to y’all
But understand nothing was done for me
So I don’t plan on stoppin’ at all
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
I’m shuttin’ shit down in the mall
And tellin’ every girl she the one for me
And I ain’t even plannin’ to call
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
Ever-ever, Mr. West is in the building
Ain’t no question who about to kill ’em
I used to have hood dreams, big fame, big chains
I stuck my dick inside this life until that bitch came
I went hard all fall like the ball teams
Just so I can make it rain all spring
Y’all seen my story, my glory
I had raped the game young, you can call it statutory
When a nigga blow up they gon’ build statutes for me
Old money, Benjamin Button, “What?” nothin’
Now it’s super bad chicks givin’ me McLovin
You would think I ran the world like Michelle’s husband
You would think these niggas know me when they really doesn’t
Like they was down with the old me, no you fuckin’ wasn’t
Um, you’re such a fuckin’ loser
He ain’t even go to class, Bueller
Trade the Grammy plaques just to have my granny back
‘Member she had that bad hip like a fanny pack?
Chasin’ the stardom would turn you to a maniac
All the way in Hollywood and I can’t even act
They pull their cameras out and goddamn, he snap
I used to want this thing forever, y’all can have it back
It may not mean nothin’ to y’all
But understand nothing was done for me
So I don’t plan on stoppin’ at all
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
I’m shuttin’ shit down in the mall
And tellin’ every girl she the one for me
And I ain’t even plannin’ to call
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
Okay, hello, it’s the Martian, Space Jam Jordans
I want this shit forever, wake up and smell the garden
Fresher than the harvest, step up to the target
If I had one guess, then I guess I’m just New Orleans
And I will never stop like I’m runnin’ from the cops
Hopped up in my car and told my chauffeur, “To the top”
Life is such a fuckin’ roller coaster then it drops
But what should I scream for? This is my theme park
My minds shine even when my thoughts seem dark
Pistol on my side, you don’t wanna hear that thing talk
Let the king talk, check the price and pay attention
Lil Wayne, that’s what they gotta say or mention
I’m like Nevada in the middle of the summer
I’m restin’ in the lead, I need a pillow and a cover
Shh, my foot’s sleepin’ on the gas
No brake pads, no such thing as last, uh
It may not mean nothin’ to y’all
But understand nothing was done for me
So I don’t plan on stoppin’ at all
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
I’m shuttin’ shit down in the mall
And tellin’ every girl she the one for me
And I ain’t even plannin’ to call
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
There they go, packin’ stadiums as Shady spits his flow
Nuts they go, Macadamian, they go so ballistic, whoa
He can make them look like bozos
He’s wonderin’ if he should spit this slow
Fuck no, go for broke, his cup just runneth over, oh no
He ain’t had him a buzz like this since the last time that he overdosed
They’ve been waitin’ patiently for Pinocchio to poke his nose
Back into the game and they know
Rap will never be the same as befo’
Bashin’ in the brains of these hoes
And establishin’ a name as he goes
The passion and the flame is ignited
You can’t put it out once we light it
This shit is exactly what the fuck I’m talkin’ about when we riot
You dealin’ with a few true villains
Who stand inside of the booth, truth spillin’
And spit true feelings
Until our tooth fillings come flyin’ up out of our mouths, now rewind it
Payback, motherfucker for the way that you doubted me, how’s it taste?
When I slap the taste out your mouth
With the bass so loud that it shakes the place
I’m Hannibal Lecter, so just in case you’re thinkin’ of savin’ face
You ain’t gonna have no face to save
By the time I’m through with this place, so Drake
It may not mean nothin’ to y’all
But understand nothing was done for me
So I don’t plan on stoppin’ at all
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
I’m shuttin’ shit down in the mall
And tellin’ every girl she the one for me
And I ain’t even plannin’ to call
I want this shit forever, mane, ever, mane, ever, mane
In a genre often marred by fleeting success and transitory trends, Drake’s ‘Forever’ emerges as a cornerstone of hip-hop, a testament to aspiration, prowess, and the allure of immortality in music. The 2009 track, featuring heavyweights Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, stands not just as a boisterous anthem of victory, but as a complex canvas portraying the artists’ battles, triumphs, and the ceaseless quest for legacy.
While on the surface ‘Forever’ may seem like mere braggadocio, a closer lyrical examination reveals layers of meaning about the artists’ past struggles, relentless drive, self-belief, and critique of the fleeting nature of fame. In this analysis, we peel back the curtain on what makes ‘Forever’ an enduring statement in the rap canon.
The Pursuit of Legacy: More Than Just Bragging Rights
Drake opens ‘Forever’ by addressing his detractors, asserting that despite a lack of support, his resolve hasn’t waning. This isn’t just grandstanding; it’s a declaration of independence from a system that often overlooks the underdog. It captures the spirit of a man who climbed the ladder without a safety net, transforming every setback into the rungs of triumph.
By employing the refrain ‘I want this shit forever’, Drake isn’t simply flaunting success; he’s articulating a deeper desire to etch his name into the annals of history. It’s a refrain that resonates with anyone striving for excellence in the face of adversity. Drake lays bare his need for validation and remembrance, a universal chord that strikes deeply with his audience.
Uncovering the Hidden Meaning: Fame’s Double-Edged Sword
Each verse in ‘Forever’ provides a unique perspective on fame. Kanye West’s verse unearths the tension between personal loss and professional gain, a trade-off known too well in celebrity circles. This juxtaposition of desiring fame, while simultaneously lamenting its costs, is a biting commentary on the hollowness that can accompany stardom.
Furthermore, Lil Wayne’s lines evoke the ceaseless grind and endurance needed to stay ahead in a competitive landscape, a landscape that often feels like ‘running from the cops’. The relentless pace of the industry is both exhilarating and exhausting, a sentiment many can relate to in the fast-moving world we inhabit.
A Symphony of Egos: The Colosseum of Collaboration
The remarkable lineup featured on ‘Forever’ is not just a show of force but also a symphony of individual egos harmonizing to express a shared hunger for more. Each artist complements the other, yet creates a distinct narrative that underscores their personal journey within the industry.
This is no mundane posse cut; it’s a strategic alliance. As the verses transition, listeners witness a relay race of rap gods, each sprinting their truth, handing the baton in a show of seamless solidarity. The collaboration adds layers to the song’s meaning, and sheds light on the multifaceted challenges of sustaining relevance in hip-hop.
The Memorable Lines: Quotables That Define an Era
Drake’s ‘Last name Ever, first name Greatest’ is emblematic of the punchy, memorable lines that fill ‘Forever’. Each artist contributes quotables that have gone on to define an era of rap culture. They’re not mere words; they’re rallying cries for those who aspire to greatness in their respective fields.
Eminem’s verse, in particular, stands out for its visceral intensity and intricate wordplay, encapsulating a fiery comeback narrative. Lines like ‘When I slap taste out your mouth with the bass so loud that it shakes the place’ amplify the track’s hard-hitting impact, leaving a lasting impression on both the genre and its followers.
Cultural Impact and the Tapestry of Resilience
More than a decade later, ‘Forever’ maintains its grip on cultural consciousness, not solely through radio play or streaming numbers, but through the ethos it represents – a tapestry woven with grit, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of immortality.
In the broader scope of things, ‘Forever’ is a sonic monument to resilience in the face of an industry known for its fickleness. It stands as a beacon for upcoming artists and a reminder to the established ones – that the hunger for greatness is a never-ending journey, one that demands the fire to remain lit, forever.
