BLOOD.

Album: DAMN. (2017)
Charted: 56 54
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The opening track of DAMN, this is also the album's shortest song. The stark scene-setter finds Kendrick Lamar narrating a story about helping an old woman, only to be shot in return. It introduces the listener to the main thread running the record, how his people have "lost" their way and become damned. The same "I was taking a walk the other day" thread, pops up again on the final track, "DUCKWORTH.". This time the scenario is reversed and Kendrick lives, breaking the chain of his people from being cursed because of the actions of Top Dawg choosing not to shoot the rapper's father.
  • A gunshot sounds and the track cuts to a clip of two Fox News presenters puzzledly reciting a lyric from Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly African-American anthem "Alright." One host comments: "Ugh, I don't like it." The rapper continues to muse on the broadcast, on the next two tracks, "DNA." and " YAH."

    Asked specifically of his thoughts on the segment, during an interview with Beats 1's Zane Lowe, Lamar said: "I thought it was a trip, click-bait. I represent my people and the culture the right way. To attack my character, I wasn't for it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."