Lamar reflects on his own experiences and shortcomings, questioning the value of material wealth and fame compared to the virtues of love, care, and humility. It’s a personal journey, but also an omnipresent message about the pitfalls of pride and the importance of staying true to oneself and one’s values. The song is about all of us, as Lamar includes himself and the listener in his introspection. His motive seems to be a desire to understand and articulate the complexities of human emotion and the consequences of our choices.
“PRIDE.” is an intricate weave of self-reflection and societal commentary set against a backdrop of smooth, contemplative beats. Each line is a brushstroke in this complex portrait of pride and human nature. If you’re ready to explore, keep reading. This isn’t just about music. It’s about life.
“PRIDE.” Lyrics Meaning
The opening lines, “Love’s gonna get you killed / But pride’s gonna be the death of you, and you and me,” set a powerful tone. Lamar suggests that while love can be dangerous, it’s pride that’s truly fatal. This theme of pride’s destructive potential is a thread running through the song.
Lamar then dives into his personal struggles. “Me, I wasn’t taught to share, but care / In another life, I surely was there,” he reflects on his upbringing and the internal conflict between his natural instincts and learned behaviors. This introspection highlights the dichotomy between selfishness and empathy.
The song also tackles materialism and superficiality. In lines like “Hell-raising, wheel-chasing, new worldly possessions / Flesh-making, spirit-breaking,” Lamar critiques the societal obsession with material wealth and physical pleasures. He questions what truly matters in life – happiness or material success?
Lamar’s self-awareness shines through in verses like “I don’t trust people enough beyond their surface, world / I don’t love people enough to put my faith in man.” Here, he acknowledges his own imperfections and trust issues, resonating with anyone who’s ever felt disillusioned by humanity.
The chorus, “Me, I wasn’t taught to share, but care,” is a repeated motif that emphasizes his internal conflict and growth. It’s a reminder of the importance of caring for others, despite our instinctual self-centeredness.
In the latter part of the song, Lamar touches on broader societal issues: racial inequality, religious divisions, and the quest for a “perfect world.” He dreams of a world where faith triumphs over wealth, education over incarceration, and unity over division. Yet, he acknowledges the imperfection inherent in the human condition, “A perfect world is never perfect, only filled with lies.”
The Story Behind “PRIDE.”
Kendrick Lamar questions society’s value system, which often places material success above moral virtues. Lamar’s upbringing in Compton, a place rife with challenges and hardships, also plays a significant role in his perspective. He often reflects on how his background shaped his worldview, instilling in him a sense of responsibility to address societal issues through his music.
In “PRIDE.,” Lamar isn’t just creating a song; he’s crafting a mirror for society to look into. He examines themes like racial inequality, the quest for material wealth, and the human tendency to put up facades. His lyrics suggest a yearning for a more empathetic, understanding world, where people look beyond superficial differences and recognize their shared humanity.
The song is a culmination of Lamar’s personal experiences, his observations of the world, and his philosophical musings. It’s a testament to his growth as an artist and a person, encapsulating the complexity of human emotions and the ongoing battle between pride and humility. Through “PRIDE.,” Lamar invites listeners to enjoy the music and reflect on their own lives and the world they live in.