Redbone
Redbone

Childish Gambino - Redbone Lyrics

In this soulful tune, the artist implores listeners to stay aware and vigilant in their relationships. The term "stay woke" is a call to keep one's eyes open to the realities of life, particularly in love. The song explores themes of deception, betrayal, and… Read more

R&B/Soul
Dec 2, 2016
3K
Redbone Music Video

Redbone Lyrics

Daylight
I wake up feeling like you won't play right
I used to know, but now that shit don't feel right
It made me put away my pride
So long
You made a nigga wait for some, so long
You make it hard for boy like that to go on
I'm wishing I could make this mine, oh

If you want it, yeah
You can have it, oh, oh, oh
If you need it, ooh
We can make it, oh
If you want it
You can have it

But stay woke
Niggas creepin'
They gon' find you
Gon' catch you sleepin' (oh)
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now don't you close your eyes

Too late
You wanna make it right, but now it's too late
My peanut butter chocolate cake with Kool-Aid
I'm trying not to waste my time

If you want it, oh
You can have it (you can have it)
If you need it (you better believe in something)
We can make it, oh
If you want it
You can have it, ah!

But stay woke (stay woke)
Niggas creepin' (they be creepin')
They gon' find you (they gon' find you)
Gon' catch you sleepin' (gon' catch you sleepin', put your hands up on me)
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now don't you close your eyes

But stay woke (ooh, ah)
Niggas creepin'
They gon' find you (they gon' find you)
Gon' catch you sleepin' (gon' catch you, gon' catch you, ooh)
Now stay woke
Niggas creepin'
Now don't you close your eyes

How'd it get so scandalous?
Oh, how'd it get so scandalous?
Oh, oh, how'd it get, how'd it get
How'd it get so scandalous?
How'd it get so scandalous?
How'd it get so scandalous?
But stay woke
But stay woke

Writer(s): Bootsy Collins, Donald McKinley Glover II, Gary Cooper, George S. Clinton Jr., Ludwig Emil Tomas Goransson, William Earl Collins
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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What is the Meaning of Redbone?

In this soulful tune, the artist implores listeners to stay aware and vigilant in their relationships. The term "stay woke" is a call to keep one's eyes open to the realities of life, particularly in love. The song explores themes of deception, betrayal, and the pain that comes when trust is broken. It warns about people who might seem trustworthy but could harm you when you're most vulnerable - hence 'gon' catch you sleepin'. At its core, it's a song about guarding oneself from emotional hurt and maintaining a sense of self-worth even when others try to take advantage of you. It also touches on regret and longing for what could have been if things were different.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who wrote and produced the song 'Redbone' by Childish Gambino?

    The song was written by Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, and produced by Ludwig Göransson. The two have frequently collaborated on many of Gambino's projects.

  2. Is there any vocal pitching in 'Redbone'?

    Despite assumptions that there was vocal pitching used in the song, Donald Glover confirmed in an interview with Australia's Triple J Breakfast radio show that no vocal pitching was used on the album. He stated that he just sang differently for this track.

  3. What does the term 'Redbone' mean?

    'Redbone' is a term used to refer to a light-skinned black woman. It is also a Cajun term for a person of mixed race. The multiethnic group Redbone, who had a big hit in the 70s with 'Come And Get Your Love,' took their name from this term.

  4. How did the song 'Redbone' come about in the studio?

    According to Ludwig Göransson, he and Donald Glover were just chilling in the studio when Glover started playing drums and said he had a beat. They then went from one instrument to another, recording tracks on top of each other which resulted in the seed of what would become 'Redbone.'

  5. Was 'Redbone' featured in any films?

    'Redbone' soundtracks the opening credits of Jordan Peele's horror film 'Get Out.' Peele chose this song because it satisfied the black horror movie audience's need for characters to be smart and observant.

  6. Did 'Redbone' win any awards?

    'Redbone' lost Record of the Year to '24K Magic' by Bruno Mars at the Grammy Awards in 2018, but it won for Best Traditional R&B Performance.

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