Anderson .Paak & ScHoolboy Q - Rap, R&B
Am I Wrong by Anderson .Paak & ScHoolboy Q Lyrics
4 Plays
Duration: 4:17
Story Behind the Song
"Am I Wrong" emerged as one of four singles released to support *Malibu*, Anderson .Paak's second studio album, released January 15, 2016, through ArtClub International, Empire Distribution, OBE, and Steel Wool Records. The track arrived at a pivotal moment in .Paak's career, following his prominent feature work on Dr. Dre's *Compton* (2015), where he appeared on six songs and helped establish him as a genuine commercial force. Critics immediately recognized the song's rich sonic palette — Alejandra Ramirez of *The Austin Chronicle* described it as "honey-dripped R&B," situating it within an album that ranged freely across Nineties hip-hop, Sixties soul, and funk. Kyle Anderson of *Entertainment Weekly* went further, calling it "the best Outkast song since that pair folded" — a striking compliment pointing to .Paak's gift for channeling classic Southern rap's exuberance through a deeply contemporary lens. *Malibu* ultimately earned a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Lyrics
[Intro: Anderson .Paak] Why lie? Why lie, yeah [Verse 1: Anderson .Paak] I'm only comin' out to play Nothin' more that I hate in this life The wrong impression, I only have one to make You can open your palm, waiting to catch a break The cards will fall where they may And what about me? I believe in fate, huh They wanna know where I'll be in five, huh But, what about today? What about tonight? [Refrain: Anderson .Paak] Only one at a time So precious, it's yours, it's mine Only one at a time My life, my life, yeah [Chorus: Anderson .Paak] Am I wrong to assume If she can't dance, then she can't ooh, yeah? Am I wrong to say If she can't dance, then she can't ooh? [Bridge: Anderson .Paak] Hey, I never wanna waste your time, my life So precious, it's yours, it's mine And look at the time, my God So precious, it's yours, it's mine [Refrain: Anderson .Paak] Only one at a time So precious, it's yours, it's mine Only one at a time My life, my life, yeah [Verse 2: ScHoolboy Q] Smiles around the clock Dance around the globe to Disco 54 I stare at you in the eyes and spin you on your toes Music ain't music without soul Feelin' the top row Shut the blindfolds, pass the nitro Rock the love boat, get high to get low Chill the Merlot, steady your fast pour You pick up, we go low Make love once or more, we rest then encore Do-do that-that-that, hey Break you off in your Kit-Kat-Kat, hey Never seen no one this gorgeous Pay your whole damn mortgage Will you look at the time, hey? Still, you the one on the mind, hey Still, you the topic of rhyme, hey Thank God that it's Friday Tonight, let's be the life of the party It's nothing to me Get up and move your feet, ah! [Bridge: Anderson .Paak] I never wanna waste your time, my life So precious, it's yours, it's mine And look at the time, my God So precious, it's yours, it's mine [Chorus: Anderson .Paak] Hey, I never wanna waste your time, my life So precious, it's yours, it's mine And look at the time, my God So precious, it's yours, it's mine
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Meaning of "Am I Wrong" by Anderson .Paak
The song opens with a stark question: "Why lie?" This immediately sets a tone of confronting uncomfortable truths, whether about oneself or a situation. The narrator emphasizes a desire to avoid making "the wrong impression," focusing instead on the present moment – "what about today? What about tonight?" – rather than future uncertainties. This suggests a tension between living for the now and the societal pressure to plan ahead. The central conflict seems to revolve around judgment and assumption, particularly in romantic or social contexts. The repeated question, "Am I wrong to assume / If she can't dance, then she can't ooh?" highlights a potentially superficial criterion for evaluating someone. This is juxtaposed with the refrain's insistence that "Only one at a time / So precious, it's yours, it's mine," framing life and relationships as finite and valuable, urging a focus on what's immediate and real. ScHoolboy Q's verse introduces a more hedonistic and sensual vibe, describing a night of dancing, indulgence, and intimacy. Phrases like "Dance around the globe to Disco 54" and "Rock the love boat, get high to get low" paint a picture of carefree enjoyment. Yet, even amidst this revelry, the narrator acknowledges a specific person remains on their mind, "Still, you the one on the mind, hey / Still, you the topic of rhyme, hey," suggesting a deeper connection beneath the surface-level fun. The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their ability to capture a duality: the desire for authentic present experience versus the tendency to judge or get lost in superficialities. The contrast between Anderson .Paak's introspective questioning and ScHoolboy Q's vibrant, sensory descriptions creates a rich tapestry. The recurring emphasis on time's preciousness, "look at the time, my God," grounds the entire narrative, urging listeners to consider how they are spending their moments and whom they are choosing to share them with.
This AI-assisted editorial analysis was reviewed, improved, and approved by the LyricsWeb editorial team.
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Credits
- Writers
- Ivan Jackson
- ScHoolboy Q
- Pomo
- Anderson .Paak