MILK by BROCKHAMPTON Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Intimate Verses of Growth and Identity
Lyrics
I lost my fucking mind and then I fell in love
I did a bunch of drugs because I couldn’t sleep
I lost a couple months, I chipped my fucking teeth
And there’s a couple women, and they know some things
About lies that I done told and shit that I done said
And niggas that I robbed, so I’m real paranoid
I have voices in my head
Hi, my name is Merlyn
I just applied for food stamps
I just moved to California, with my boy band
Dropped out of a good school
Hippies in my commune
I left ‘fore the rent was due
Used to want a briefcase
And a short commute
Used to wanna sell coke
And whip an Audi Coupe, crazy if I did that
Wouldn’t be talking to you
Walking through the pit falls
Of a college student
Crazy how you get them letters
And they make you feel accepted ’til you
Walking ’round the campus and
You the only African
Nobody would pass ’em, just cats that take directions well
Take acid trips to find themselves
Well
I gotta get better at being me
(Being who I am)
I gotta get better at everything
(Being who I am)
I just want a friend that I can hang out with
(Being who I am)
Someone I can sit around, lay on my couch with
(Being who I am)
Ever since I moved out I’ve been broke
Ever since I grew up I’ve been ugly
Ooh, and it get me some dollar
Dollar, dollar bills y’all
Ever since I left my momma house I’ve been mad as hell at the world
Sometimes you don’t gotta rhyme when you feel it
Sometimes I barely ever feel a fucking thing
Sometimes I wish that my fucking phone would fucking ring
And go off, and wake a nigga up
I’m used to being sad
And I’m used to being down
I’m used to being used
I miss my boy being around
I gotta get better at being me
(Being who I am)
I gotta get better at everything
(Being who I am)
I just want a friend that I can hang out with
(Being who I am)
Someone I can sit around, lay on my couch with
(Being who I am)
Droppin’ all I got on this one day
I just wanna be somebody someday
Droppin’ all I got on this one way
I just wanna be somebody someday
Droppin’ all I got on this one day
I just wanna be somebody someday
Droppin’ all I got on this one way
I just wanna be somebody someday
I gotta get better at being me
(Being who I am)
I gotta get better at everything
(Being who I am)
I just want a friend that I can hang out with
(Being who I am)
Someone I can sit around, lay on my couch with
(Being who I am)
I’m trying to look for motivation of smaller things
But baby steps to my atonement when I foster dreams
I’ve been told I’m too transparent with my thoughts sometimes
So I wrote songs until they pass, and I can fall in line
I fell apart the moment that you thought you found yourself
‘Cause I knew at that point I couldn’t be in the equation anymore
But moving on with open, broken hearts
Will show you everything you need to see about yourself to start moving forward
So many things I wanna say that I’m not sure need to be known
But everybody swears they fucking know me
So why don’t I lay every card I’m holding on the table
At that point, I wonder what they’d show me
I almost lost my father
Still surreal for me to think about
Considering how many of my friends have lost theirs
I never know if what I’m saying is the right thing
If not, I’m ready more than ever for the crosshairs
It’s all fair when it’s not you
Some people have angels
What if only shadows follow you?
And all the ghosts inside that seem to hollow you
The branches of the weeping willow start to swallow you
And then you realize you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be
The horizon clears
You wipe the tears
And all the skeletons are ready for your story
In the pantheon of songs that articulate the throes of growth and the grappling with identity, BROCKHAMPTON’s ‘MILK’ stands out as a defining anthem of the millennial existential crisis. Wrapped in the gauze of melodic harmony and raw, unabashed lyricism, ‘MILK’ delves into the personal narratives of the boy band’s members, each verse a confessional booth detailing their struggles with self-acceptance, the pursuit of dreams, and the harsh realities of life.
Dropping during the crest of BROCKHAMPTON’s rise, ‘MILK’ is a track from their 2017 album ‘Saturation’, which marked a significant moment in their discography. The song remains a fan favorite, as it resonates deeply with listeners navigating the labyrinth of ‘becoming’. Its depth lies not just in the clever wordplay or the intoxicating beats, but in its heartwearingly honest examination of pain, desire, and ultimately, transformation.
A Journey Through Self-Redemption and the Quest for Acceptance
The opening lines of ‘MILK’ are a haunting admission of change and the loss that often accompanies it. Not only does the track acknowledge the alteration of one’s own character, but it lays bare the messy process of evolution. Life’s vices and the interpersonal turbulence are candidly tackled as confessions that echo the experiences of many a listener who finds solace in the song’s verses.
What is particularly striking about ‘MILK’ is its refusal to shy away from the low points of this journey. BROCKHAMPTON’s members do not romanticize their experiences for the sake of art; they present them unfiltered, a move that allows for a significant moment of vulnerability and human connection with their audience.
The Dream Deferred: Merlyn’s Verse and the Immigrant Narrative
Merlyn Wood’s poignant appearance in ‘MILK’ offers a narrative many can relate to – the pursuit of the American Dream turning sour. Merlyn talks of dropping out of school and leaving behind old dreams for new realities, revealing both the joy and pain found in choosing an unconventional path. This verse is not just a personal anecdote but a microcosm of the immigrant tale, diasporic dreams, and the challenges faced when one deviates from traditional expectations.
The authenticity found in his struggle with signing up for food stamps, navigating his identity as ‘the only African’, and dealing with the pressures of college life provides a heartfelt look into the significant emotional battles fought in silence by many first-generation immigrants and minority students.
Unpacking the Chorus: A Universal Cry for Connection
The chorus of ‘MILK’ is a tender echo that reverberates through the hearts of anyone hungering for genuine connection. The repeated line ‘I gotta get better at being me’ isn’t just about personal improvement; it’s a realization that self-acceptance is an ongoing process, one that is inextricable from the need for human companionship and understanding.
Intertwined with the desire for self-growth is the poignant wish for a friend to share in the simple, quiet moments of life – a sentiment that many can understand, especially in an era where social isolation has become more prevalent.
The Pursuit of Purpose: Chasing a Glimmer of Tomorrow
At the heart of ‘MILK’ lies the relentless quest for meaning and significance. The lyrics tirelessly express a deep-seated longing to ‘be somebody someday’, showcasing a raw ambition that transcends the trappings of immediate circumstance. This mantra taps into the age-old human desire for purpose, with each repetition in the bridge amplifying the hunger for a destiny that burns within each individual.
BROCKHAMPTON channels the spirit of perseverance in the face of existential uncertainty. ‘MILK’, in its essence, becomes an anthem for those tirelessly working toward their version of success, a universal message of hope for the dreamers, the strivers, and the believers.
The Song’s Hidden Depths: An Odyssean Tale of Personal Legends
‘MILK’s’ closing verse strips away every facade, revealing the stark truth of each member’s individual struggles. It’s in this raw confession where one discovers the hidden depths of the track. The members share not only their life’s triumphs and defeats but their contemplations on existence, legacy, and the imprints left by human connections.
This almost cathartic closing reflects a thread of realization that encompasses the song’s emotional spectrum – from self-doubt to clarity, revealing ‘MILK’ as not just a song, but a journey akin to an odyssey, where the destination is self-discovery and the treasures uncovered are the fragments of our personal legends.
