“We’ll be Fine” by Drake - lyrics and meaning
[Verse 1]
Yeah, never thoughts of suicide I'm too alive
But I still treat it likes it's do or die
Even though dying isn't in the plans,
but neither was making it and here I am
In the Presidential -- do you like your new room?
Always presidential and tonight's no blue moon
Since I saw Aaliyah's precious life go too soon,
she deserve the credit for how I'm about to get it
That's why I got a new dumb thing moving through the street
Got a new condo, move it to the beach
Heard Nicki just bought a brand new crib
Goddamn man she's beauty and the beast (Lord)
Seems like yesterday that I was up and coming
Still so young that I ain't had enough of nothing The fam here, the drink here, the girls here?
Well f_ck let's get it then [Hook]
I'm trying to let go of the past
Should we make this one a double?
You ain't even gotta ask, Ahh
Because it's hard to say no, say no
Yeah it's hard to say no Are you down, are you down? Yeah, you all the way down, everytime
Am I down, am I down? Yeah, I'm all the way down, We'll be fine
Are you down, are you down? Yeah, you all the way down, everytime
Am I down, am I down? Yeah, I'm all the way down, We'll be fine [Verse 2]
Used to make us proud -- we had dreams of getting bigger man
Loved you until now, but now I'm the man
You keep talking that, "You was this and you had this"
And you deserve some f_cking credit how did anyone forget it
Got a show up in your city, yo girl is in the line
And the line around the corner, it's my motherf_cking time
You should take it as a sign, man I got it right now
I wouldn't doubt it cause these b_tches all about it right now
Let's be real about this sh_t, can I take you home?
Or come to where you stay? Do you live on your own?
I heard you got your ways, I never would have known
She said, "you're such a dog", I said, "you're such a bone."
I've been everywhere, where you know me from?
These days women give it to me like they owe me one
But they crave attention though they always saying, "show me some"
But girl you ain't the only one that's trying to be the only one
At least I admit that, if you get that, and you with that
Then f_ck let's get it then [Hook] [Birdman]
Yeah! Drizzy, yo turn !
Take Care of the business (shine on these s)
Give these s the business !
Kill spray anything in the way, , f_ck em, we don't love em!
Yeah, it's just that Uptown gangsta sh_t
Toronto, stand up for one of the realest s
Drizzy, with the realest flow, y'know?
Toast to this gangsta sh_t, fellas
OVO YMCMB (believe that!)
Yeah, you understand me?
Playing with these motherf_cking millions like they ain't nothing
Throwin' hundreds, rubber band stacks
That YMCMB sh_t ; flashy lifestyle
One Hundred
Drake's music often delves into the depths of personal experiences, showcasing a complex range of emotions. One song that encapsulates this emotional rollercoaster is "We'll Be Fine" from his album. At first listen, the song seems to express a sense of resilience and perseverance. However, when analyzed through the lens of Straussian interpretation, a surprising connection emerges between the lyrics and the themes explored in the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."
Overt Meaning of the Song:
"We'll Be Fine" opens with Drake reflecting on his mental state, stating that thoughts of suicide have always been far from his mind as he values his life too much. He emphasizes his relentless work ethic, treating every opportunity as a matter of life or death. Drake acknowledges that success was never part of his initial plan, yet here he is, living the life he always dreamt of. He attributes his success to the late singer Aaliyah, whose influence encourages him to strive for greatness.
Straussian Interpretation: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind":
In an unexpected twist, "We'll Be Fine" can be connected thematically to the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," directed by Michel Gondry. This connection lies in the exploration of memories, love, and the human desire to escape pain.
The movie follows the story of Joel and Clementine, whose relationship begins to crumble over time. As their love unravels, they both turn to a mysterious medical procedure that erases memories to escape the pain. However, as their memories are gradually erased, they realize that the beauty of their relationship lies within the ups and downs they had experienced together.
Comparisons to "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind":
Drake's lyrics in "We'll Be Fine" evoke the same themes of love, nostalgia, and the struggle to hold onto cherished memories amidst hardship. The line, "Used to make us proud -- we had dreams of getting bigger, man," echoes the sentiment of an idealized past, reminiscent of Joel and Clementine's initial romantic dreams.
The lyrics, "I've been everywhere, where you know me from," can be seen as an expression of the desire to hold onto memories and the fear of losing one's identity in the process. Similarly, the characters in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" grapple with the trade-off between erasing painful memories and retaining their true selves.
Different Interpretations:
While Drake's perspective in "We'll Be Fine" seems to align with Joel's realization in the movie, acknowledging the value of memories, other characters in the song may have different interpretations. For example, the line, "You keep talking that, 'You was this and you had this,'" could be seen as the voice of Clementine, attempting to hold onto past grievances and diminish the significance of the relationship.
Cultural Influences:
Surprisingly, the song's narrative can also draw inspiration from other pop culture references. For instance, the influence of "Beauty and the Beast" can be discerned when Drake mentions Nicki's new crib, calling her "beauty and the beast." This reference speaks to the complexity of relationships and the coexistence of beauty and strength within individuals.
Digging deeper into Drake's "We'll Be Fine" reveals hidden connections to the themes of love, nostalgia, and memories explored in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." The Straussian analysis enables us to uncover unexpected comparisons between songs and other pieces of popular culture. Through this analysis, we gain a deeper appreciation for Drake's ability to weave complex emotions and references into his music, leaving the listener with a tapestry of introspection and personal exploration.