A Lyrical Breakdown Of Kendrick Lamar's Greatest Song

Dissecting what makes "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" Kendrick Lamar's greatest work to date.

Kendrick Lamar and Tupac Shakur share many similarities – they're both cultural icons of their generations, both have (or had) a dynamic to them that allowed their music to resonate not only with the streets, but with mainstream audiences as well, and above all else, they're both true poets. I'd honestly say K.Dot's storytelling abilities transcend even Pac with the release of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (this is not to say that Kendrick is greater than Pac all time, but maybe...) While Tupac was a thug through and through, K. Dot came to a revelation at fourteen, abandoning the gang lifestyle he was unfortunately entrenched in during early adolescence. Reflection and remorse regarding the tribulations brought about by this lifestyle reverberate throughout good kid, m.A.A.d city (GKMC), but in this post I will solely be analyzing (in my opinion) Kendrick's greatest musical composition to date: "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst."

A lengthy work sitting at just over 12 minutes, "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" shows Kendrick at his most vulnerable and transparent, describing in vivid detail the harsh life he has suffered. It serves as a pivitol point of the story he tells on the album, which is the story of Kendrick falling victim to and attempting to escape from the cycle or drugs, alcohol, and violence that has plagued Compton. Throughout both the song and album, Kendrick uses skits of tape recordings and voicemails to show progression in the story, allowing his verses to fill in the details and inform the listeners of the internal struggles Kendrick dealt with. The song is split into three parts, each told from a different perspective. The first section is told through the eyes of Lamar's deceased friend Dave, who once made Lamar promise to dedicate a song to him and his brother after they both witnessed the cold-blooded murder of Dave's older brother. The second part is told from the perspective of Keisha's sister – Keisha was a prostitute who's traumatic life Kendrick rapped about on the touching track "Keisha's Song (Her Pain)" from Section.80. Halfway through the song, Kendrick interjects his own perspective, describing the events that led to him opting out of the dangerous life he was living. "Sing About Me" and "I'm Dying of Thirst" were combined into one song because the events that took place in both happened on the same day, and Lamar wished for the amalgamation of the tracks to represent a change in perspective on the entire album: "That's a real turning point of the album. Before I became this person with a mature aspect on life, it was a dark place I came from, a place of negativity, a place of being unruly. 'Dying of Thirst' is actually a specific story about one of my homeboys passing away before my eyes. It really turned everything around full circle. So when you go to a track like 'Dying of Thirst,' and that same day we was getting a spoken word from an elderly lady telling us about God and getting some type of prosperity out of that... I really based them two tracks together because that was a situation that happened that exact same time. So when I say 'Dying of Thirst,' she's really talking about getting hit with holy water or saving yourself."

Part I: "Sing About Me"

[Chorus]

When the lights shut off and it's my turn

To settle down, my main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off and it's my turn

To settle down, my main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

In the chorus, Kendrick uses a metaphor, comparing sleep to death, evoking the iconic line from Nas's "N.Y. State of Mind" which states "sleep is the cousin of death." The incorporation of "I'm dying of thirst" in forthcoming parts of the song is a double entendre. Lamar is referring to the tradition of "pouring one out for the homies" as an homage to fallen friends. However, he entagles this image with the Christian sacrament of holy water that (metaphorically) blends with alcohol to create a paradoxical image of immortality. Kendrick cares about one thing and one thing only once he's gone: his legacy. It isn't about the money or fame to him; he wishes for his music to transcend generations and inspire future artists, much like how Pac, Biggie Jay-Z, and many others influenced him.

[Verse 1]

I woke up this morning and figured I'd call you

In case I'm not here tomorrow

I'm hopin' that I can borrow

A peace of mind, I'm behind on what's really important

My mind is really distorted

I find nothing but trouble in my life

"Borrow a peace of mind" is another double entendre applied by Lamar. While a peace of mind refers to a feeling of calmness, a piece of mind relates to the smart, rational decisions that Kendrick makes. Dave's brother, being caught up in the gang lifestyle, is searching for some insight. However, he only wishes to "borrow" it temporarily, as he's so deep into that lifestyle that he knows a permament escape from crime and violence is impossible.

I'm fortunate you believe in a dream

This orphanage we call a ghetto is quite a routine

Although most people touched upon in good kid, m.A.A.d city are complacent, trapped in a life of crime and gang violence, Kendrick is insistent on following his dream of becoming a rapper, as this would allow him to tell the story of his late friend. The line may also serve as a reference to MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech which he previously referenced in "Backseat Freestyle": "Martin had a dream/Kendrick have a dream." Additionally, LA county was home to 38% of California's foster population at the time the song was written, and as such, parentless youth were more likely to join gangs for acceptance and a familial bond than orphanages. Dave coming to Kendrick so frequently for support implies that his friend didn't have the familial support that he did. Lamar's parents appear multiple times on the album through voicemails and phone conversations, and because of this, he is able to complete his dream after distancing himself from the negative influences of his gang-affiliated friends.

And last night was just another distraction

Or a reaction of what we consider madness

I know exactly what happened

You ran outside when you heard my brother cry for help

Held him like a newborn baby and made him feel

Like everything was alright in a fight he tried to put up

But the type of bullet that stuck

Had went against his will, that's blood spilled on your hands

My plan's rather vindictive

Everybody's a victim in my eyes

When I ride it's a murderous rhythm

And outside became pitch black

A demon glued to my back, whispering "Get 'em!"

The murder of his brother has left Dave's mind "really distorted,” and now only vengance is on his mind. This vengance controls him, compelling him to kill. In Dave's eyes, all of his family and friends were victims to senseless violence. The line "outside became pitch black" refers to his reality now that he has lost his brother.

I got 'em and I ain't give a fuck

That same mentality I told my brother not to duck

In actuality it's a trip how we trip off of colors

I wonder if I'll ever discover a passion like you and recover

The life that I knew as a youngin

In pajamas and dun-ta-duns

Here, Dave reminisces about his innocent, carefree days as a young kid, hoping that he can find success like Kendrick and use his money to escape the lifestyle he is currently living. “Dun-ta-duns” are tighty-whities that have super heroes on ‘em and they're referred to as such because “dun-ta-dun” is typically the sound played when superheros make their appearance.

When thunder comes it rains cats and dogs dumb

N*ggas like me never prosper

Prognosis of a problem child, I'm proud and well-devoted

This Piru shit been in me forever

So forever I'ma push it, wherever, whenever

The gang life is the only life Dave and his brother have ever known. Dave is a member of the Piru street gang – a gang beloning to the blood family and deriving it's name from Piru Street – and states he will keep gang banging until his death, a puzzling moment considering he had JUST recognized the futility of the gang life following his brother's death. It illustrates how deeply ingrained the gang culture is into the young men and boys in Compton, who are unable to change, despite wanting to.

And I love you 'cause you love my brother like you did

Just promise me you'll tell this story when you make it big

And if I die before your album drop, I hope—[Gunshots]

Dave is interrupted mid-sentence, gunned down before the album dropped right after the lines "I hope," representing the mentality of kids like him living in the ghetto that there is no hope. He was murdered before he was able to live up to his full potential and potentially choose peace like Kendrick had wished for. This premature death symbolizes that violence destroys hope and possibility of a better reality, a theme carried over in M.A.A.D city when Kendrick raps If pirus and crips all got along, they’d probably gun me down by the end of this song,” implying that even someone as famous and lauded people like him live in such a dangerous place that they might get shot unexpectedly at any time, even when recording a song. These lines also imply that if you continue choosing a path of violence like Dave’s brother, it’ll end up killing you.

[Verse 2]

You wrote a song about my sister on your tape

And called it Section.80

The message resembled "Brenda's Got a Baby"

Here, Keisha’s sister is referring to Kendrick’s 2011 song “Keisha’s Song,” which tells the tragic story of a young prostitue that is raped and murdered. The sentiment of the track resembles that of Tupac’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby.”

What's crazy was I was hearin' about it

But doubted your ignorance

How could you ever just put her on blast and shit?

Judgin' her past and shit?

Well, it's completely my future

Her n*gga behind me right now askin' for ass and shit

And I'ma need that forty dollars

Even if I got to fuck, suck and swallow

The female narrator is upset with Kendrick because she feels he was unfairly judging both her and her sister, since she is a prostitute herself. She then descriptively states what she’d be willing to do to make a buck, even if it means sacrificing dignity and self respect. Her “n*gga” refers to her pimp and her client, both of them looking to replace her. “Behind” is significant because it allows Lamar to imply that she’s being pushed towards a bad place, further strengthening the theme of hopelessness and the inevitability of reliance on illicit activities to survive.

In the parking lot, Gonzales Park, I'm followed

By a married man, and father of three

My titties bounce on the cadence of his tinklin' keys

Matter of fact, he my favorite 'cause he tip me with E's

The woman recognizes the sound of her "client's" tingling keys as a signal for her to approach him. She views this married man as her favorite customer because he tips her with ecstasy instead of money, which is ironic because that action itself sabatoges her chances at social mobility. Kendrick creates a homophone with the word "Es", referring to both the ecstasy the young prostitute receives and the notion that she easily receives tips for her amazing service.

He got a cousin named David and I seen him last week

This is the life of another girl damaged by the system

These foster homes, I run away and never do miss 'em

See, my hormones just run away and if I can get 'em

Back to where they used to be, then I'll probably be in the denim

Of a family gene that show women how to be woman

Or better yet, a leader, you need her to learn somethin'

Then you probably need to beat her, that's how I was taught

Three n*ggas in one room, first time I was tossed

And I'm exhausted, but fuck that "Sorry for your loss" shit

My sister died in vain, but what point are you tryna gain

If you can't fit the pumps I walk in?

She disdainfully recounts the first time she was "tossed" by three guys at once to demonstrate how she was taught to be a woman. Her tone for the first time changes from sounding worried and fragile to angry, rejecting criticism from anybody that can't empathize with her situation.

I'll wait… Your rebuttal a little too late

And if you have a album date, just make sure I'm not in the song

'Cause I don't need the attention, bring enough of that on my own

And matter fact, did I mention that I physically feel great?

A doctor's approval is a waste of time, I know I'm straight

I'll probably live longer than you and never fade away

I'll never fade away, I'll never fade away, I know my fate

And I'm on the grind for this cake, I'ma get it or die tryin'

I'm eyein' every male gender with intentions of buyin'

You lyin' to these motherfuckers

Talkin' about you can help 'em with my story

You can help me if you ell this pussy for me, n*gga

Don't ignore me, n*gga, fuck your glory, n*gga, you ain't shit...

[Chorus]

When the lights shut off and it's my turn

To settle down, my main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

I said when the lights shut off and it's my turn

To settle down, my main concern

Promise that you will sing about me

Promise that you will sing about me

[Verse 3]

Sometimes I look in the mirror

And ask myself: Am I really scared of passin' away?

If it's today, I hope I hear a

Cry out from Heaven so loud it can water down a demon

With the Holy Ghost 'til it drown in the blood of Jesus

Kendrick hopes he one day ends up in heaven and reflects on if he's done enough good to repent for his past sins. He references the 1941 film The Blood of Jesus, which is centered primarily around the African-American culture and whose main character is tempted with alcohol by a demon. Kendrick's hope for transubstantiation demonstrate his willingness to acknowledge God's reality.

I wrote some raps that made sure that my lifeline reekin'

The scent of a reaper, ensurin' that my allegiance

With the other side may come soon, and if I'm doomed

May the womb of my mother be blessed for many moons

I suffer a lot

And every day that glass mirror get tougher to watch

I tie my stomach in knots

And I'm not sure why I'm infatuated with death

My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats

Kendrick wonders why he's infatuated with death, although is likely stems from imagining so much death in his violent upbringing. As he says himself, "I am a dreamer. And one thing about a dreamer is it is not always a good thing... Your mind can take off and wander to negative things as well. It is not always, ‘I could be the greatest basketball player one day.’ It is the idea that I can actually walk outside and get hit by a train in the middle of the street... So I know what it is but it is always going to be a constant thing playing in the back of my head."

That can come about, ’cause the tongue is mighty powerful

And I can name a list of your favorites that probably vouch

Maybe 'cause I'm a dreamer and sleep is the cousin of death

Really stuck in the schema of wonderin' when I'ma rest

And you're right, your brother was a brother to me

And your sister's situation was the one that pulled me

In a direction to speak on somethin'

That's realer than the TV screen

Here, Kendrick addresses the other speakers in the song. “Your brother was a brother to me” was Kendrick addressing Dave's brother. He ensures him that he will tell Dave's story in a positive light, as he feels the story is powerful. "Your sister's situation..." is aimed at Keisha's sister, who was wrong about Kendrick's intentions in "Keisha's Song (Her Pain)." While she believed Kendrick was judging her putting her "on blast" for her bad decisions, he actually found inspiration in her story, and shifted towards rapping about "real life."

By any means, wasn't tryin' to offend or come between

Her personal life, I was like "It need to be told"

Cursin' the life of twenty generations after her soul

Exactly what'd happen if I ain't continue rappin'

Kendrick does, however note that Keisha's lifestyle doesn't only affect her, but her descendants as well. Her lack of success, education, and financial stability will directly impact (negatively) her own children in countless ways. This in turn will affect her kids' abilities to succesfully raise their own children, perpetuating the cycle of destitution. Lamar acts as a role model here, seizing the opportunity he has to try and break that cycle, which he chose to do through music.

Or steady bein' distracted by money, drugs and 4-5's

I count lives, all on these songs

Look at the weak and cry, pray one day you'll be strong

Fightin' for your rights, even when you're wrong

And hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone

Am I worth it? Did I put enough work in?

Many of Kendrick's songs are dedicated to those that he's lost or those that he loves that are suffering. All of his songs are dedicated to people he knew who died or suffered. He can empathize with their pain and emotions and thus, prays and fights for them, even if they’ve wronged others in the past. The five lives he "counts" (his own, Dave's, Dave's brother's, Keisha's, and Keisha's sister's) is a play on preceding lines: "drugs and 4-5's I count lives..."

[Outro]

Promise that you'll sing about me forever

Promise that you'll sing about me for— ooooh

Promise that you'll sing about me forever

Promise that you'll sing about me for— ooooh

Promise that you'll sing about me forever

Promise that you'll sing about me for— ooooh

Promise that you'll sing about me forever

Promise that you'll sing about me for— ooooh

Part II: "I'm Dying of Thirst"

[Skit]

(On the phone)

"Ay, ay, ay, where you 'bout to go?"

"N*gga, the homie's brother—n*gga, right here, he gone, my n*gga, he gone!"

"Hey, come to the store for a n*gga, one time."

"We on the block right now, my n*gga, like, we—n*gga, we right here, my n*gga."

"Bring a n*gga back a black!"

"N*gga—bruh—n*gga, they just killed the homie's brother, my n*gga. We right here on the block, my n*gga... Al—alright, n*gga—n*gga, just come—alright, alright, just call me back, man, just call me back."

"Bring a n*gga back a black!"

(*Hangs up*)

"Ahh, fuck... So, so, what we gon' do, my n*ggas? What we gon' do?"

"Bro, we can go back right now, my n*gga. Like... n*gga, I don't give a fuck, my n*gga. We can go back right now."

"Fuck! I'm tired of this shit! I'm tired of fuckin' runnin', I'm tired of this shit! My brother, homie!"

In the skit, Kendrick's friends are contemplating what to do following Dave's death. Many want revenge, but Dave's brother breaks down and with desperation and dejection in his voice, screams "Fuck! I'm tired of this shit!" The friends' desire for revenge will lead them down a path of death from thirst. The "tired of this shit" remark is meant to parallel the scene from Boyz n the Hood where Tre is consoled by his girlfriend.

[Verse 1]

Tired of runnin', tired of huntin'

My own kind, but retirin' nothin'

Kendrick is tired of the endless cycle of violence that he’s been compelled to partake in. "My own kind" refers to the fact that he's participating in black-on-black violence, something that plagues many impoverished African American communities. “Retiring nothing” is his way of saying that this type of gang violence brings nothing good and that those involved will end up either dead or in jail.

Tires are steady screechin', the driver is rubbin'

Hands on the wheel, who said we wasn't

Dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst?

[Verse 2]

Dope on the corner, look at the coroner

Daughter is dead, mother is mournin' her

Stray bullets, AK bullets

AK-47s are notorious as the go-to weapon to carry out drive by shootings. Wheather a result of poor aim or careless shooting, it is common for "stray" bullets from the automatic assault rifles to accidentally claim the lives of innocent people. Kendrick is no stranger to this.

Resuscitation was waitin' patiently, but they couldn't

Bring her back, who got the footage?

Channel 9, cameras is lookin'

It's hard to channel your energy when you know he crooked

Banana clip, split his banana pudding

Banana clips are long,curved clips that take the shape of a banana. Kendrick juxtaposes a weapon used for murder with a tasty dessert, emphasizing the brutality of gang related murders.

I'm like Tre, that's Cuba Gooding

Cuba Gooding's character Tre Styles from Boyz N The Hood was an inspiration for this album and it's not hard to see why. Both Tre and Kendrick are smart, passionate, promising kids caught up in lives of violence due to their gang-infested cities. They both realize they are destined for more and wish to escape the gang life.

I know I'm good at

Dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst

[Verse 3]

How many sins? I'm runnin' out

How many sins? I lost count

Although Kendrick knows God can be forgiving to those who truly show faith in him, he fears that he's commited so many sins that God won't be able to forgive them all. This line is also a reference to "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" where he raps: “I am a sinner who’s probably gonna sin again/Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me/Things I don’t understand”. Regardless of how much he sins, Kendrick will never give up his faith in God.

Dreams of ballin' like Spalding

But only shotty bounce

The reaper callin', I'm cottonmouth

"Reaper" in this case is used as a double entendre. While Reapers are machines that gather crops like cotton, the Grim Reaper is the symbol of death. At this point, Kendrick and his friends are looking for revenge for Dave's murder, but Kendrick realizes that this vendetta only puts them deeper into harms way. He's got cottonmouth because he understands that death very well could be just around the corner for them, a reinforcement of the theme of "dying of thirst."

Money is power (Money is power)

Yours is ours (Yours is ours)

Kendrick uses yet another double entendre here. A common mindset in the hood is that if one individual makes it, the whole gang has made it, and thus, their money is now the gang's money as well. Where Lamar grew up however, it was common for young teens to rob somebody simply because they had money. The justification for this was that by taking one's money, you have now taken their power as well.

Lay with a snitch, die with a coward

Hope we get rich, hope we can tower

Over the city with vanity with the music louder

The same song, a black flower

I'll show you how to

Dye your thirst, dye your thirst, dye your thirst

[Verse 4]

What are we doin'? Who are we foolin'?

Hell is hot, fire is proven

To burn for eternity, return of the student

It’s Dark and Hell is Hot was DMX's first album and is what inspired Kendrick to begin writing his own rhymes. Kendrick also referenced this album on "The Heart Pt. 3," a promotional single for GKMC: "Thank God for the album I idolized/It’s dark and plus hell is hot, that’s the start of this crazy ride."

That never learned how to live righteous but how to shoot it

Tired of runnin', choirs is hummin'

Tell us to visit, we lie about comin'

Now back to business, loadin' the guns in

Back of the Buick, your hood is feudin'

The beef is bubblin', it's no discussion

Hereditary, all of my cousins

Dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst, dyin' of thirst

[Verse 5]

Too many sins, I'm runnin' out

Somebody send me a well for the drought

The thirst within Kendrick is growing. Instead of acknowledging his tendency to be "dying of thirst" as he has previously, he now states he needs an entire well full of water to quench his thirst, evidenced by his "commonmouth."

See all I know is takin' notes

On takin' this life for granted, granted, if he provoke

My best days, I stress days

(Lord, forgive me for all my sins, for I not know—)

My best days, I stress days

Here, Kendrick reveals that even on the best of days, the stress caused by gang violence weighs heavy on him, causing him to continue praying for forgiveness for mistakes and bad decisions he made along the way. The inclusion of "for I not know" relates to a conversation between Jesus and God in Luke 23:34 while Jesus was staked to the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" Jesus tells his father. The deep burdens Kendrick carries demonstrate that the hood can inhibit even highly intelligent people like him from achieving their highest potential.

Say "fuck the world," my sex slave

Money, pussy, and greed—what's my next crave?

Whatever it is, know it's my next grave

Tired of runnin', tired of runnin', tired of tumblin'

Tired of runnin', tired of tumblin' – backwards

My momma say "See, a pastor give me a promise

What if today was the rapture and you completely tarnished?

The truth will set you free, so to me be completely honest

The Rapture is an eschatological theological position held by certain Christians that at an inevitable end-time event, all living Christians will rise to the clouds and meet the Lord in the air. Thus, Kendrick suggests living your life honest and free so that when that day comes, God will send you to Heaven.

You dyin' of thirst, you dyin' of thirst

So hop in that water, and pray that it works."

[Skit/Outro]

Fuck! I’m tired of this shit!

I’m tired of fuckin' runnin', I’m tired of this shit!

That’s my brother, homie!

Young man, come talk to me! Is that what I think that is?

I know that's not what I think that is

Why are you so angry?

See, you young men are dying of thirst

Do you know what that means?

That means you need water, holy water

You need to be baptized, with the spirit of the Lord

Do you want to receive God as your personal savior?

Okay, repeat after me:

"Lord God, I come to You a sinner."

(Lord God, I come to You a sinner)

"And I humbly repent for my sins."

(And I humbly repent for my sins)

"I believe that Jesus is Lord."

(I believe that Jesus is Lord)

"I believe You raised Him from the dead."

(I believe You raised Him from the dead)

"I would ask that Jesus come into my life."

(I would ask that Jesus come in my life)

"And be my Lord and Savior."

(And be my Lord and Savior)

"I receive Jesus to take control of my life."

(I receive Jesus to take control of my life)

"And that I may live for Him from this day forward."

(And that I may live for Him from this day forward)

"Thank you, Lord Jesus

For saving me with Your precious blood."

(Thank you, Lord Jesus

For saving me with Your precious blood)

"In Jesus' name, amen."

(In Jesus' name, amen)

Alright now, remember this day

The start of a new life – your REAL life

In the skit, Kendrick and his friends are still enraged over Dave's death and are preparing to avenge their deceased friend when they are approached by Lamar's neighbor (voiced by Maya Angelou), who upon spotting one of the boys holding a gun declares that they're in desperate need of Jesus and a new lifestyle. She leads them in the Sinner's Prayer from the beginning of the album and Kendrick begins a new life, enlightened by the wisdom and gift of God imparted to him by the elderly woman. Although included at the end of the song, the conversation takes place after Dave's death, but before he struck revenge, getting himself killed in the process. Unfortunately, the message communicated through this chronology is that faith isn't always enough to save a soul and that prayer is useless if faith is only faked.

Afterthoughts

WOW... Kendrick's transitons between lives in the verses are seemless, and he flawlessly paints a vivid story of the horrors brought about in impoverished, urban cities due to governmental nonaction during the Reagan through Bush eras. The melodic contour of the song is so impressive as well. In the first verse, K. Dot's friend eloquently elaborates on the lifestyle of a gangbanger over a soothing, relaxed beat comprised of the guitar from “Maybe Tomorrow” by Grant Green and the drum break from Bill Withers' "Use me." After Dave is shot, the chorus slowly begins as the strings enter and Dave's previous wish is repeated: “promise that you’ll sing about me forever…” In the second verse, the instruments slowly decrescendo as Kendrick asserts that he'll never be forgotten before himself decescendo-ing into silence. Following an introspective third verse, the beat completely shifts, emitting a more aggresive, ominous tone as he and his friends begin prepping for revenge. A chorus slowly crescendos in the background. The song is SO well amalgamated and is flawless in every sense. Literary devices – allusions, metaphors, cadence, chronology, homophones, etc – are rampant and are meticulously integrated into the song to truly capture for the audience the destitute, unfortunate conditions Lamar grew accustomed to as a child. In my opinion there simply hasn't been a song this complete and lyrically astute since Ye dropped "Gorgeous" in 2010. Stay tuned for my review of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers coming soon.