Pothole
Tyler the Creator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴My mother warned me that some nigga's ain't my right hand
To trust her, only my heart and that elder white man
His name is Clancy, I fancy him, gotta give him props
He half the reason why dealerships even let me cop
So now I'm speedin' and tryna drive away from the fact
That she was right, so I triple left, tryna double back
The streets are filled with some clues, like how I ain't notice that?
(How I ain't see that?) Fuck it, I seen some familiar stuff in the culdesac
I pull up, get out, what up?
I wanna help, but what you want for some
Some niggas really don't want for themself
Now do I stay? Do I go? That's my dilemma
And traffic is picking up, if I don't leave I'ma get stuck (skrrt)
So I speed off, we talk barely and it seems awk-
-ward, and I heard through some words that you off it
I got too much drive, don't wanna steer off path
And crash and get distracted
But I listen to that weather man 'cause it might rain
Keep my windshield wipers prepared 'cause y'all threw so much shade
And I got jacket in trunk, but that's in the front
I also got power for both of us if you're ever in need of jump
Just let me know, my nigga
I had to switch the gears on 'em
Fishtail in the rearview mir' on 'em (Skrrt!)
I had to switch gears on 'em
You know, swerve, left turn, steerin' wheel on 'em
Nigga that's a pothole, watch out for the pothole
Watch out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Look out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Watch out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Snakes in the grass, but I walk
I got some new boots, on the back it says GOLF
So I be prepared for their bites, they're all talk
I left the condom in the grass so fuck off
Watchin' Clarence in a mansion with nobody in it
Young successful nigga, ride McLaren with no windows tinted
I draw my piggies when I'm in it 'cause it feels amazin'
The irony is I stopped eatin' bacon
Don't get it twisted, nigga, I'm still hungry
Oh he lonely
All my friends talk about their hoes and tenderonies
All I can show 'em is a couple cars and more things
That I've made in the couple past month, he's on, please
Everyone is a sheep, me, a lone wolf
Nobody gon' make a peep 'cause everyone wants some wool
Since everyone is a sheep, not everyone here is cool
Man I'd rather drown in a pool by myself than fuck with their fleece
See, man, T-Man fans be seesaw
Wind blows, they go, which way, who knows?
One day, "Fuck no," the next day, "Okay"
But fuck y'all, I know that T is four for four
I just want that garden and that Batmobile
Good health, success, time on earth worthwhile
Find somebody who love me and raise a couple of lizards
But my vehicle's good for now, that's in a couple of miles
I keep it pushin', nigga
I had to switch gears on 'em
Fishtail in the rearview mir' on 'em (Skrrt!)
I had to switch gears on 'em
You know, swerve, left turn, steerin' wheel on 'em
Nigga that's a pothole, watch out for the pothole
Watch out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Look out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Watch out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Fuck, okay, next one
Gotta watch out for the potholes
Said watch out for the potholes
Overall Meaning
In "Pothole," Tyler the Creator talks about a cautionary tale in which he ignores his mother's warning that certain people might not be good for him. Instead, he only trusts his heart and an elder white man named Clancy who has helped him in the past. Tyler confides in the elder man because he is partially responsible for getting him access to car dealerships that sell him cars. As he is driving, Tyler realizes that his mother was correct, but he still tries to ignore the fact by avoiding the road that triggers painful memories. He notices familiar surroundings and tries to help someone who does not want help. Tyler wonders if he should leave or stay to help, but he chooses to leave because he has somewhere to go. The chorus warns of the potholes on the road as Tyler switches gears, fishtailing in his rearview mirror while trying to avoid road hazards.
Throughout the song, Tyler the Creator urges his audience to pay attention to the road ahead of them and be mindful of the roadblocks that impede their progress. These obstacles can come in many forms and can cause accidents, sometimes with lasting impact. The rapper also speaks about his journey to success, detailing how he has been able to avoid distractions such as drugs and infatuation with fame. Despite his ascension, Tyler faces the same challenges as the rest of us, and he hopes that by sharing his experience, he can help others avoid the potholes they might encounter on their journey to success.
Line by Line Meaning
My mother warned me that some nigga's ain't my right hand
My mother advised me that some people, even those close to me, may not have my best interest at heart
To trust her, only my heart and that elder white man
My mother instructed me to trust only myself and a wise older white man named Clancy
His name is Clancy, I fancy him, gotta give him props
I have a great deal of respect for Clancy and recognize that he has helped me a lot
He half the reason why dealerships even let me cop
Clancy is partly responsible for why I am able to purchase expensive cars from dealerships
So now I'm speedin' and tryna drive away from the fact
I am driving recklessly to escape from the truth
That she was right, so I triple left, tryna double back
I am avoiding facing the fact that my mother's warning was true, by taking different turns and trying to return to where I started
The streets are filled with some clues, like how I ain't notice that?
There were warning signs in the environment that I ignored
Fuck it, I seen some familiar stuff in the culdesac
Despite my earlier intentions to flee, I recognize someone in a familiar area and stop my car to talk to them
I wanna help, but what you want for some
I am willing to assist, but I need to know what they need help with first
Some niggas really don't want for themself
Some individuals do not want to help themselves, despite their need for assistance
Now do I stay? Do I go? That's my dilemma
I am unsure whether to stay and help or to leave and continue on my own journey
And traffic is picking up, if I don't leave I'ma get stuck (skrrt)
As traffic starts to build up, I need to leave quickly, or else I will get trapped
So I speed off, we talk barely and it seems awk-
I leave quickly and our conversation is brief and uncomfortable
-ward, and I heard through some words that you off it
The conversation was awkward, and I heard rumors that the individual was not well
I got too much drive, don't wanna steer off path
I am determined to achieve my goals and do not want to stray from that path
And crash and get distracted
I do not want to be involved in a car accident and get sidetracked from my goals
But I listen to that weather man 'cause it might rain
I pay attention to the forecast because it may rain, and I need to be prepared for any obstacles
Keep my windshield wipers prepared 'cause y'all threw so much shade
I need to be ready for any criticism or negativity that comes my way
And I got jacket in trunk, but that's in the front
I have a jacket in the front of the car, readily available if needed
I also got power for both of us if you're ever in need of jump
I have the means to help jump-start a car if anyone needs it
Just let me know, my nigga
I am willing to help anyone in need, they just need to ask
Snakes in the grass, but I walk
There are people around me who are deceitful, but I am aware and careful
I got some new boots, on the back it says GOLF
I have some new boots with the brand GOLF on the back, indicating success and luxury
So I be prepared for their bites, they're all talk
I am ready for any negative comments or behavior, as they are unlikely to harm me
I left the condom in the grass so fuck off
I do not want to engage in meaningless sex and am uninterested in anyone who does
Watchin' Clarence in a mansion with nobody in it
I am observing a man named Clarence in his empty mansion
Young successful nigga, ride McLaren with no windows tinted
I am a young and successful man, driving a high-end McLaren sports car with no tinted windows
I draw my piggies when I'm in it 'cause it feels amazin'
I enjoy drawing little pictures on the windows of my car because it makes me feel good
The irony is I stopped eatin' bacon
I find it ironic that I am drawing on my McLaren while also having given up eating meat
Don't get it twisted, nigga, I'm still hungry
Despite my success and wealth, I am still motivated to succeed and accomplish more
All my friends talk about their hoes and tenderonies
My friends talk about their romantic relationships, while I am primarily focused on my career and material possessions
All I can show 'em is a couple cars and more things
My success is demonstrated through my expensive cars and material possessions
That I've made in the couple past month, he's on, please
I have achieved a great deal over the past few months, and I am proud of it
Everyone is a sheep, me, a lone wolf
Most people follow the herd, but I am an independent thinker and do not follow the crowd
Nobody gon' make a peep 'cause everyone wants some wool
People are often quiet because they are afraid of rocking the boat and losing something they want
Since everyone is a sheep, not everyone here is cool
Just because everyone else is following the herd, does not automatically make them cool or admirable
Man I'd rather drown in a pool by myself than fuck with their fleece
I would rather face perilous danger alone, than be forced to conform to the ways of others
See, man, T-Man fans be seesaw
The fans of Tyler the Creator can be fickle, changing their opinions frequently
Wind blows, they go, which way, who knows?
The opinions of Tyler's fans change easily, and it is unclear which direction they will go in next
One day, "Fuck no," the next day, "Okay"
One day, Tyler's fans will hate a certain song, and the next day they will love it
But fuck y'all, I know that T is four for four
Despite the fickleness of his fans, Tyler knows that he has consistently produced great music with four successful albums
I just want that garden and that Batmobile
While material possessions are important to me, I also desire a simple garden and a Batmobile
Good health, success, time on earth worthwhile
In addition to material possessions, I also value good health, success, and a fulfilling life
Find somebody who love me and raise a couple of lizards
In the future, I hope to find a partner who loves me and start a family, possibly raising lizards
But my vehicle's good for now, that's in a couple of miles
While I enjoy my current car, I know that it will not last long and will soon need to be replaced
I keep it pushin', nigga
Despite any obstacles or setbacks, I continue to persist and move forward
Nigga that's a pothole, watch out for the pothole
In life, there will be obstacles and challenges, such as a pothole in the road. It is important to be cautious and prepared
Watch out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Continued emphasis on being cautious and aware of potential obstacles
Look out for the pothole, watch out for the pothole
Further repetition of the importance of being cautious and looking out for potential obstacles
Watch out for the pothole, watch out for the potholes
Final reminder to be cautious and alert for any potential obstacles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROY AYERS, TYLER GREGORY OKONMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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