Song Meaning

DJ Drama's "Better Days," featuring Symba, isn't just another track; it's a raw, unflinching meditation on trauma, resilience, and the arduous path to self-betterment. The song meaning is embedded in Symba's intensely personal lyrics, which serve as both confession and catharsis. He grapples with the absence of his father, lost to the prison system, and the ever-present specter of violence that claimed his friend Hungry. Symba paints a vivid picture of a life shaped by loss, where death arrives prematurely, and support often materializes only in retrospect. The track acknowledges the profound psychological toll of such experiences, where bottling emotions becomes a default coping mechanism, and the temptation to succumb to despair looms large. The refrain, "Niggas rather swallow a pull before they pride," speaks volumes about the self-destructive tendencies born from unresolved pain and societal pressures. However, "Better Days" transcends mere lamentation. It's equally a testament to the power of human growth and the possibility of healing. Symba credits his mother's unwavering dedication for steering him away from a life of crime, highlighting the transformative impact of positive influences. He underscores the necessity of sacrifice and patience in achieving one's goals, rejecting the notion of overnight success. The line, "You can't make it to the top by having a fear of heights," encapsulates the courage required to overcome adversity and pursue one's dreams. The pre-chorus serves as a crucial pivot, explicitly validating vulnerability and encouraging open communication: "It's okay to cry, it's okay to call somebody and apologize." This acknowledgement of emotional needs represents a significant step towards breaking down the barriers that prevent genuine healing. Ultimately, "Better Days" functions as a powerful affirmation of hope amidst despair. The repeated chorus, "You will reap what you sow / Stay on your toes / Nobody knows what you been through, but you will grow," serves as both a mantra and a promise. It acknowledges the unique burdens each individual carries while simultaneously asserting the potential for personal evolution. The song's insistence on "better days" isn't naive optimism; it's a hard-earned conviction rooted in lived experience. It's an understanding that growth is possible, even in the face of profound adversity, and that by staying vigilant and resilient, one can eventually transcend their past and create a brighter future.

DJ Drama - Rap

Better Days

2 Plays

Duration: 3:37

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[Intro: DJ Drama] Oh-ooh-ooh-woah, ooh-woah, woah-ooh-woah, oh, oh Results take times So do better days You will reap what you sow Stay on your toes Nobody knows what you been through, but you will grow There will be better days There will be better days [Verse 1: Symba] Yeah My whole life I been bottlin' emotions I never had a dad that I can say I was close with (Close with) He died in jail over some ho shit I never got to tell him I need him, I'm still broken (Broken) Man, I'm still copin' Hungry died in a city outside of Oakland (Oakland) He should be here to witness this whole shit 'Cause he was in that car that they shot twenty-one holes in In a time where you die before twenty-five And they support you more than they did when you was alive A lot of people don't wanna heal, some never try Niggas rather swallow a pull before they pride [Pre-Chorus] (Oh-ooh-ooh-woah, ooh-woah, woah-ooh-woah, oh, oh) It's okay to cry, it's okay to call your partner and apologize Sometimes you got to check yourself when you get out of line I feel your pain, I just hope that you relate to mine [Chorus] You will reap what you sow Stay on your toes Nobody knows what you been through (Yeah), but you will grow [Verse 2: Symba] My momma did all that she could to keep us good Got money out the streets then got us out of the hood My uncle got addicted to crack that he couldn't cook Prince saw him OD, life ain't good as it looks Niggas is gettin' booked, they life is gettin' took Just 'cause you ain't gettin' dough in the streets don't mean you shook Brodie killin' the books because I'm killin' the hooks Look at how moms drew it, she kept us from bein' crooks Nothin' happens overnight Everything in life requires a sacrifice Time the only thing that doesn't come with a price You can't make it to the top by having a fear of heights [Pre-Chorus] (Oh-ooh-ooh-woah, ooh-woah, woah-ooh-woah, oh, oh) It's okay to cry, it's okay to call somebody and apologize Sometimes I got to check myself 'cause i be out of line I feel your pain, I just hope that you relate to mine [Chorus] You will reap what you sow Stay on your toes Nobody knows what you been through, but you will grow There will be better days There will be better days You will reap what you sow Stay on your toes Nobody knows what you been through, but you will grow There will be better days There will be better daysOh-ooh-ooh-woah, ooh-woah, woah-ooh-woah, oh, oh [Outro] And like that We gone You will reap what you sow Stay on your toes (Symba) Nobody knows what (Drama), you been through, but you will grow (Legendary) There will be better days There will be better days

Credits

Producers: DONTMINDIFIDUKE
Caston Grigsby
Jay The Great
DeCarlo
BLWYRMND

Better Days

Better Days

Lyrics

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Credits