Pornography by Travis Scott Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Depths of a Rebellious Journey
Lyrics
We find ourself consumed and utterly mesmerized
With a story of a young rebel against the system
Refusing to conform or comply to the ways of authority
He chose the mood of “fuck this shit”
At that moment, the one known as Jacques turned to Scott
Chose to jump off his mama porch leading the stampede of lost souls
In the middle of their metamorphosis, not quite through with their journey
Ain’t made it through whatever the fuck they gon’ be in life
But wherever it is, it’s better than here
So fuck you and fuck this
No monogamy, ménage with me
Pornography surrounding me
You get high with me, you come down with me
That’s all I need in my fantasy
All these flashing lights
Give you some of me, you want all of me
And get high with me, and come down with me
Yeah that’s all I need in my fantasy
You remind me of my ex, crazy love
We designed our love around the drugs
We both in this club, we both tryna fuck
I’ma rub a dub, tryna get a nut
No monogamy, ménage with me
Pornography surrounding me
You get high with me, you come down with me
That’s all I need in my fantasy
All these flashing lights blinding me
Give you some of me, you want all of me
And get high with me, and come down with me
That’s all I need in my fantasy
The story of the bastard was never told
The soul of a bastard was never sold
Will he survive, or will he fold up?
Living like a bronco, lifestyle wild and untamed
Sit sip at the top, a long list of no named
Misfits can’t wait to get a chance to say fuck you
To the ones that say fuck you
‘Til you doing yo’ thing, Codeine and Cocaine cartels
Who leads the charge of this young mob?
La flame he is in his head, the world is yours
Wake up nigga, gotta get the cake up, nigga
Niggas in the bushes in the farms
Might gotta got to rake up a nigga
I’m way too antsy, ’cause my ambition’s too frantic
I might need to move to Atlantis, ’cause my mind’s too outlandish
It’s the rodeo, time to get started
Houston nigga, goin’ James Harden
They was wildin’ on us niggas in the projects
Wonder why a nigga went cold hearted
They wanna put my soul up on an auction
But I’ma make ’em take the fall like August
And they gon’ vote me right in on my caucus
And I’ma show these niggas how to get lawless
Why your hands out, asking could you hold one
Who do I owe? Nigga, no one
They bigging you up but you low down
Animated acting frozen
I got porno pics, wish I can post ’em
Stackin’ Franklins, I can’t fold ’em
Niggas askin’ for the old him
But I’m way too young to be the old him
I’ma make this shit crack, Lamar Odom
‘Til I climb to the top of the podium
So wake up nigga, gotta get the cake up, nigga
Niggas in the bushes, niggas on the farm
Might gotta rake up a nigga
I’m way too antsy, ’cause my ambition’s too frantic
I might move out to Atlantis, ’cause my mind’s too outlandish
We gon’ rule the world, we gon’ rule the world
We gon’ rule the world
La Flame says “let your ambition carry you”
Travis Scott’s ‘Pornography’ acts as the cinematic opening to his sophomore album ‘Rodeo’, a sprawling tableau of hedonism, ambition, and youthful defiance. On its surface, the track might seem like just another ode to the excesses of fame, but a closer listen reveals a labyrinthine depth, inviting listeners into the psyche of a troubled protagonist grappling with newfound notoriety.
Through a dense tapestry of metaphor and raw emotion, Scott crafts a narrative that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable. This exploration unpacks the layers of ‘Pornography’, delving into the thematic complexities that make it more than the sum of its explicit parts. The song isn’t merely a musical track; it’s a journey through the darkness and light of Scott’s alter-ego.
The Journey from Jacques to La Flame: A Tale of Transformation
Right from the opening monologue, delivered with gravitas by T.I., Scott establishes a cosmic setting for his metamorphosis from Jacques Webster, the man, to Travis Scott, the artist known as La Flame. This change isn’t just a rebranding; it’s a deeply felt spiritual and ideological shift that speaks to the existential process every young person goes through when finding their feet in the world.
He ‘chose to jump off his mama porch,’ a symbolic leap away from comfort and into the chaos of celebrity life. The stampede of lost souls he leads are his fans and peers, all in a similar state of transformation, looking to him as a figurehead of rebellion and as someone who refuses to ‘comply to the ways of authority’.
The Allure and Poison of Hedonism: Between Pleasure and Pain
Scott doesn’t shy away from the intoxicating lure of excess that fame brings – ‘No monogamy, ménage with me, pornography surrounding me’. These lines serve as a brazen embrace of the lifestyle, even as they hint at the dehumanizing effects of such indulgence. The sexual and narcotic references underscore a larger point about the addictive nature of fame and the fantasies it engineers.
It’s a duality that Scott understands all too well, as he rides the highs (‘get high with me’) and stumbles through the lows (‘you come down with me’), implicating the listener in his turbulent ride. This isn’t just his story; it’s a shared narrative with anyone ensnared by the seductive yet toxic embrace of a life without boundaries.
Survival of the Fittest: The Story of the Bastard
A pivotal line in the song, ‘The story of the bastard was never told’, jumps out as a centerpiece of Travis Scott’s narrative. Here, Scott is both storytelling and reflecting on his own place in the music industry – a young, ambitious artist with everything to prove and nothing to lose.
His scrappy, wild lifestyle, compared to that of a ‘bronco’, captures both the beauty and brutality of a young artist’s hustle. As he moves through the ranks of the ‘no named Misfits’, the ones who are ready to resist and say ‘fuck you’ to authority, Scott positions himself as the leader, the one who ‘leads the charge of this young mob.’
Unveiling Hidden Depths: The Quest for Atlantis
Amidst the braggadocio and chaotic imagery, there are moments where Scott alludes to a secret desire to escape the madness of his world. The repeated line about moving ‘to Atlantis’ suggests a yearning for a utopian retreat, a place of peace and sanity away from the ‘outlandish’ nature of fame and expectation.
This is a significant admission of vulnerability. Rather than being purely egotistical, Scott’s decision to figuratively relocate to Atlantis reflects both his ambition and the toll that such ambition exacts on his mental well-being. It’s clear that Scott feels the burden of his ambitions and the insanity they can breed.
Lines That Echo: The Unforgettable Hooks of ‘Pornography’
Travis Scott’s ability to craft lines that resonate with his audience is part of his genius. ‘It’s the rodeo, time to get started,’ immortalizes his Texan roots and the wild ride that’s defined his life. Meanwhile, ‘Wake up nigga, gotta get the cake up, nigga,’ is both a wake-up call to himself and a battle cry for those hustling for success.
These memorable phrases not only stick with listeners but also encapsulate the central themes of the song: ambition, survival, and the relentless pursuit of success against the odds. Each line is delivered with a conviction that engages listeners and pulls them deeper into Scott’s crafted world.
