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https://songmeaning.ai/songs/Drake-wants-and-needs
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Wants and Needs' by Drake featuring Lil Baby explores the duality between desires and necessities in life. Throughout the song, the artists express their conflicts and musings over the material and the spiritual, fame alongside personal growth, and the moral juxtapositions they encounter in the intersections of success, relationships, and self-reflection.
The song begins with an air of defensiveness, as Drake urges listeners to exclude him from petty commentary and to seek substance beyond the superficial chatter. This protective stance could be a response to the public scrutiny that often accompanies fame. Drake's journey continues as he reflects on his mother's assertions of his talent—heaven-sent, something suggested as undeniable evidence by his career progress. Despite his success, there's an overwhelming sense of pressure and the constant hustle of his job making it difficult for him to find peace.
Drake then delves into the lavish and turbulent side of his lifestyle with a nonchalant swagger, referencing expensive jewelry and flippant interactions with past partners. He notes that he might 'charge my ex for a feature,' which could be interpreted as a cynical jab at how personal relationships are monetized or leveraged for gain within the industry. Further underscoring the sense of conflict, Drake mentions spirituality and the potential for seeking guidance, contrasting it with the hedonism of going to Ibiza. This juxtaposition embodies the struggle between his wants—the indulgences—and his needs—perhaps redemption or spiritual grounding.
The chorus encapsulates the central theme of the song—struggling with sins while also maintaining a focus on wealth ('M's for millions) and friendships. The confession of simultaneously being in love with two partners ('two girls at one time') reflects the internal conflict between desire and moral clarity. Here, Drake acknowledges his imperfections and the complexities of his emotional landscape, while openly admitting his need for divine intervention amid the chaos.
Lil Baby's verse reinforces the song's motifs by intertwining themes of fame, fortune, and fleeting pleasures with a measure of introspection about his life trajectory. He depicts a nonchalant attitude towards conflict and wealth, while also alluding to lifelong ambitions, such as caring for his family and solidifying his legacy. His self-reflection on success and potential is marked with a pragmatic viewpoint towards growth and future aspirations.
"Deposit the money to Brenda, LaTisha, or Linda, Felicia"
The artist Drake makes a clear reference to DMX's 'What These Bitches Want,' connecting his own experiences with relationships to those portrayed in the lyrics of another hip-hop icon.
"The earrings are real, the petty is real, might charge my ex for a feature"
Drake touches on his personal life and previous relationships in the industry, suggesting the blurred lines between personal connections and business decisions in the world of music.
"I'm not a GOAT, but I fit the description"
Lil Baby employs wordplay to compare himself to the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), highlighting his rising importance in hip-hop while remaining humble.
"Whippin' Benz concept"
A boastful claim to luxury lifestyle, Drake references driving a high-end concept vehicle, which is linked to the sense of status and achievement in rap culture.
