II. Shadows by Childish Gambino Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers of Love and Vulnerability
Lyrics
Mmm-mmm, Mmm-mmm
She said, she said
Love me better, kiss me back, listen more oh (she said, she said)
Love me better, kiss me back, listen more
Love me better, kiss me back, listen more
Yeah, no, no, no (she said, yeah okay, uh)
Face down in the brown grass (no)
Shame shame on my brown ass (oh lord)
Birds in the trees as we run through
And if I’m dead to the world, what you gon’ do? What you gon’ do?
Like, (I can’t remember)
Shots fired, rewind, please, girl, be mine
Email denied, talk to me baby
Before I go crazy, might do it maybe
We were so Jay Z & Beyonce, my aunt say “keep the sex game picante
The Aunt May and Mary Jane that I was hitting on
We were trying to forget that there was something wrong
Love is Russian roulette, I had the safety on
We popped pills at the Coachella
Hold my head in the weeds, man I can’t tell her
The fear that I feel man it might kill her
Man, it might kill her, it’s the prep school mic killa’
With the drums and the groove so it feel Dilla
I don’t care what he say
I’ma get my platinum back like I’m a half ton gorilla
You can hang with homie on the low
But your boy so weak like a week ago
But we ain’t speaking though
Tuesday afternoon, I ain’t got shit to do
But fall in love with you (she said, she said, she said)
Tuesday afternoon, I ain’t got shit to do
But fall in love with you (she said, she said, she said)
She said, love me better, kiss me back, listen more, oh (she said, she said, she said)
She said, love me better, kiss me back, listen more
The attitude
The attitude
And I hope you understand, and I hope you understand
We were never friends
And I hope you understand now
But I miss them
Oh no no no
And I hope you understand
And I hope you understand
Gonna get your love
I’m gonna get your love
And I hope you understand
I’m gonna get your, ohh
And I hope you understand
And I hope you understand
And I hope you understand
As listeners, we often find ourselves encapsulated in the rhythmic beats and catchy hooks of a song, neglecting to delve into the layered nuances that lie beneath. Childish Gambino’s ‘II. Shadows’ from his enigmatic album ‘Because the Internet’ provides such an auditory tapestry. It isn’t merely a sequence of melodic expressions; it’s a vessel of raw emotion and earnest confession.
This track, among others, showcases Gambino’s knack for blending existential dread with the intricacies of interpersonal relationships. Looking past its surface appeal reveals a labyrinth of themes such as love’s trials, life’s fleeting nature, and the pursuit of understanding amidst chaos. Let’s dive into the multi-dimensional depths of ‘II. Shadows’ and explore what Gambino is conveying through this compelling narrative.
When Love Beckons: The Echo of Yearning
The song opens with an intimate plea, a partner’s call for better love, more affectionate kisses, and attentive listening. It’s a window into a relationship teetering on the brink of desire and understanding. ‘II. Shadows’ paints this connection through raw exposure, Gambino laying bare the need for emotional intimacy just as much as physical.
Repeatedly haunted by the words ‘she said,’ it becomes apparent that these are not just idle musings, but rather the profound echoes of another’s needs that have burrowed deep into Gambino’s psyche. This refrain acts as a siren call to which he seems both responsive and overwhelmed, hinting at the duality of passion and anxiety.
Life’s Fleeting Grip: Embracing Temporality
Amid the exploration of affection, Gambino contemplates his own mortality. ‘Face down in the brown grass,’ evokes the visual of vulnerability and downfall, juxtaposed against the constancy of nature with ‘Birds in the trees as we run through.’ The haunting question ‘And if I’m dead to the world, what you gon’ do?’ underscores the fragility of life and love; it’s a stark reminder that despite our strongest connections, existence is ephemeral.
The thought threads through the entire piece, a fabric of worry that intertwines with the narrative of his emotions. Gambino exhibits an acute self-awareness of life’s brief embrace, urging listeners to grasp the notion that our tick-tock realities are often laced with the muted anxieties of what it means to be truly known and loved in the limited time we have.
Tainted Escapades: The Pills and Ills of Coachella
Remembering a time of hedonism, ‘We popped pills at the Coachella,’ Gambino highlights the escapism people often seek from the complications of life and love. Coachella becomes a symbol for momentary solace, a place where one can lose themselves in the music and momentarily forget the ‘something wrong’ eating away at their relationship and existence.
This line serves a dual purpose; it encapsulates the experience of feigned ignorance and the fear of the effects such an escapade might have on his significant other. Gambino is transparent about his insecurities and the potential dangers of the lifestyle he’s leading, it’s a cry from the shadows of a man trying to find his way in the light.
The Synthesis of Sound: A Musical Alchemy
Musically, ‘II. Shadows’ takes its listeners on a journey through a soundscape that melds organic instrumentation with synthetic beats. ‘With the drums and the groove so it feels Dilla’ pays homage to the late J Dilla, revered for his soulful contributions to hip-hop. Gambino’s musical choices are intentional, creating a tapestry that honors greats while carving out a unique auditory space.
The blending of drums and electronic elements conveys the tumult of emotions pulsing through the narrative. Melancholic vibes thread through the upbeat tempo, capturing the complexity of the human spirit in the throes of relational discord. The production becomes a character in its own right, propelling the storyline and deepening our connection to the lyrics.
The Memorable Echo: ‘Love me better, kiss me back, listen more’
A song becomes iconic not just for its melody but for the lines that resonate long after the music has faded. ‘Love me better, kiss me back, listen more’ is such a refrain, a mantra of relational longing that taps into the universal human quest for deeper connectivity. Each repetition of the phrase in the song is a siren’s call for a more profound and attentive bond.
In its simplicity lies its power. The plea becomes an anthem for anyone who has ever yearned for their emotional labour to be reciprocated. Gambino has a gift for transforming a personal sentiment into a shared feeling, allowing listeners to find their own stories within his lyrical confessions.
