Playboi Carti's 'Over' displays a reflective mood as the rapper contemplates a turbulent relationship and life marked by excess, substances, and a fast-paced lifestyle. The track juxtaposes the evolution (or deterioration) of a relationship with drug use as a coping mechanism. Lyrically, Carti delves into his thoughts and feelings, offering insight into the contrast between the exhilarating aspects of his lifestyle and the more challenging emotional turmoil it brings.
Playboi Carti's 'Over' takes listeners on a tumultuous emotional journey, navigating through themes of love, disillusionment, and self-reflection. Starting off with a sense of confusion and longing, Playboi Carti questions how a once-passionate love has faded, setting a contemplative tone for the narrative. The fluctuation of feelings as he reminisces the beginnings of the relationship heightens the feeling of nostalgia mixed with sorrow.
As the song progresses, Carti reveals his coping mechanisms—substance use to maintain a balance amidst emotional turmoil. The duality of his life, filled with material wealth on one hand and a search for genuine connections on the other, paints a picture of an artist struggling to find grounding in a rapidly spinning world. His adrift emotions and the effects of drug use create a dreamlike haze, deepening the sense of introspection and self-examination.
There's a notable turn towards anarchy and rebelling against norms as Carti describes tattooing 'Anarchy' under his armpit and stoking riots. The rush derived from such disruptive and non-conformist acts serves as a diversion from the pain of a love that's not what it was. It reflects his external response to internal chaos, a fight for feeling alive and seen in a world that feels untrusted and 'retarded' (translated as nonsensical or frustrating in this context).
At the core, 'Over' speaks to Carti's yearning for stability ('I need me a down bitch') and truth in an environment that seems to consistently lack both. Despite the ostensible glamor and wealth ('I took the Phantom outside, it ride like a boat'), there's a contrasting grimness to Carti's mindset, with back-to-back references to violence and fleeting relationships, culminating in the recognition that despite the cycles of highs, there remains an enduring search for something more fulfilling.
"Anarchy tatted under my armpit"
This references Playboi Carti's 'Anarchy' tattoo and symbolizes his desire for personal freedom, rebellion, and distrust of establishment and authority.
"I jump off the rope, I feel like Jeff Hardy"
Jeff Hardy is a well-known professional wrestler noted for his high-flying stunts and daredevil approach. Carti likens himself to Hardy, suggesting he's taking risks and living life on the edge.
"Got tats on my sleeve like Ed Hardy"
Ed Hardy is a fashion brand known for flamboyant designs often featuring tattoo-like prints. Carti's comparison implies he wears his tattoos as a fashion statement and part of his identity.
"I'm smokin' that weed just like I'm Marley"
Bob Marley is an icon associated with reggae music and marijuana, which was an integral part of his Rastafarian beliefs. Carti compares his own marijuana use to Marley's, highlighting a shared affinity for the substance.