The Meaning Behind The Song: Sunday by Earl Sweatshirt
Hip hop artist Earl Sweatshirt is known for his introspective and abstract lyrics that touch on subjects such as depression, anxiety, and mortality. His song, Sunday, is no different. Released in 2018 as part of his album, Some Rap Songs, Sunday’s lyrics touch on themes of grief, love, and self-discovery.
Verse 1
The song opens with the lyrics, “Feel like I’m morphin’, into somethin’, that’s so incredible, that I’m dwarfin’, all competitors”. Here, Sweatshirt is talking about the transformation he’s going through and how it’s making him feel invincible. He’s growing, maturing, and transforming into something new, something that he feels is beyond the reach of his competitors.
In the next line, he says, “Better run the decathlon, f**k a Carter IV”. This line is a reference to Lil Wayne’s album, Tha Carter IV. Here, Sweatshirt is saying that he’s not interested in competing with the mainstream rappers who are only focused on making money and achieving fame. Instead, he wants to excel in every area of his life and be the best version of himself.
Chorus
The chorus of the song consists of the lines, “Sunday, oh, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, please come, I’ve been waiting, patiently for you”. Here, Sweatshirt is talking about how he looks forward to Sundays because they provide him with a break from his hectic life. Sundays symbolize a day of rest, relaxation, and contemplation for him.
Verse 2
In the second verse, Sweatshirt raps, “Treat my brothers’ kids, like they was my own, I watched them blossom, before I was grown”. Here, he’s talking about how he’s taken on the role of a father figure to his siblings’ children. He’s watched them grow and transform before his eyes and it’s given him a new perspective on life.
In the next line, he says, “Problems that I skated, way before, ain’t in my orbit no more”. Here, Sweatshirt is saying that he’s moved on from the problems he faced in the past. He’s transformed and grown beyond them and they no longer have an impact on his life.
Chorus
The song ends with another chorus where Sweatshirt repeats the lines, “Sunday, oh Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, please come, I’ve been waiting, patiently for you”. Here, he’s reiterating the motif of needing a break from his busy lifestyle and looking forward to the peace and tranquility that Sundays provide.
FAQs
What inspired Earl Sweatshirt to write Sunday?
Earl Sweatshirt has stated in interviews that the song was inspired by the death of his father. He was grappling with feelings of grief and trying to make sense of it all. The song is an ode to his father and how Sundays reminded him of his presence.
What does the line “Better run the decathlon, f**k a Carter IV” mean?
The line “Better run the decathlon, f**k a Carter IV” is a reference to the rapper Lil Wayne and his album, Tha Carter IV. Sweatshirt is saying that he’s not interested in competing with Lil Wayne or any other mainstream rapper who is only focused on making money and achieving fame. Instead, he wants to excel in every area of his life and be the best version of himself.
What does the chorus mean in Sunday?
The chorus of the song consists of the lines, “Sunday, oh, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, please come, I’ve been waiting, patiently for you”. Here, Sweatshirt is talking about how he looks forward to Sundays because they provide him with a break from his hectic life. Sundays symbolize a day of rest, relaxation, and contemplation for him.
What is the significance of the line “Feel like I’m morphin’, into somethin’, that’s so incredible, that I’m dwarfin’, all competitors”?
This line is significant because it shows Sweatshirt’s growth and transformation as an artist. He’s evolving into something new, something beyond the reach of his competitors. He’s growing, maturing, and transforming into a better version of himself.
How does Sunday compare to Earl Sweatshirt’s previous work?
Sunday is different from Sweatshirt’s previous work in that it’s more introspective and abstract. It’s less focused on the external world and more focused on his inner world. The lyrics touch on themes of grief, love, and self-discovery which are not typically explored in mainstream hip hop.
What message does Sunday convey to listeners?
Sunday is a song about growth, transformation, and finding peace amidst chaos. The message is to take a break from the world and find stillness within yourself. It’s about finding the courage to face your demons and transform them into something beautiful.
What does the line “Problems that I skated, way before, ain’t in my orbit no more” mean?
In this line, Sweatshirt is saying that he’s moved on from the problems he faced in the past. He’s transformed and grown beyond them and they no longer have an impact on his life. He’s no longer held back by the struggles he faced in the past.
What role does Sunday play in Sweatshirt’s album, Some Rap Songs?
Sunday is one of the standout tracks on Some Rap Songs. It’s a pivotal moment in the album where Sweatshirt reflects on his past, present, and future. It’s a moment of introspection that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
How does Sunday showcase Sweatshirt’s growth as an artist?
Sunday showcases Sweatshirt’s growth as an artist by exploring themes of grief, love, and self-discovery that are not typically found in mainstream hip hop. He’s more introspective and abstract in this song than in his previous work which shows how he’s evolving and transforming as an artist.
What is the significance of the title, Sunday?
The title, Sunday, is significant because it represents a day of rest, relaxation, and contemplation. It’s a day where Sweatshirt can take a break from his hectic life and find stillness within himself. It’s a day where he’s able to reflect on his past, present, and future.
What makes Sunday a unique and powerful song?
Sunday is unique and powerful because it’s a song that explores themes of grief, love, and self-discovery that are not typically explored in mainstream hip hop. It’s a moment of introspection where Sweatshirt reflects on his past, present, and future. The lyrics are abstract and poetic which allows listeners to interpret the song in their own way.
What is the significance of the lyric, “Treat my brothers’ kids, like they was my own, I watched them blossom, before I was grown”?
This lyric is significant because it shows how Sweatshirt has taken on the role of a father figure to his siblings’ children. He’s watched them grow and transform before his eyes and it’s given him a new perspective on life. It’s a moment of growth and maturity for Sweatshirt.
What is the overall mood of Sunday?
The overall mood of Sunday is introspective, contemplative, and peaceful. It’s a moment of stillness amidst chaos. It’s a song about finding peace within yourself and transforming your struggles into something beautiful.
