Been Away by Brent Faiyaz Lyrics Meaning – A Soulful Melody of Ambition and Assurance
Lyrics
(I’m just tryna get my paper straight)
(I’m just tryna get my paper straight)
(I’m just tryna get my paper straight)
I know I’ve been away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
Don’t give my shit away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
I know I’ve been away (mm)
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl (yeah)
Don’t give my shit away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
They just wanna fuck with you
‘Cause they know I fuck with you
If I put my trust in you
What would you do?
Would you just step out? (Step out)
Would you thug it out? (Thug it out)
Would you be here to the end?
I just wanna know it’s you, my friend
I just wanna know if you pretending
I know I’ve been away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
Don’t give my shit away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
I know I’ve been away (yeah, yeah, mm)
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
(Yeah) Don’t give my shit away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby
Don’t let me down (don’t let me down)
Don’t do me wrong (don’t do me wrong)
‘Cause I ain’t got no one at all
This penthouse view ain’t as beautiful as you
Won’t ever have time but I can make time for you
Know I used to tell lies but I would never lie to you
Shopping spree on my dime looking all kinds of new
Do you know what I like? What would you like to do?
Tell me, tell me, I tend to you
I know I’ve been (yeah, yeah)
I know I’ve been away (away)
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
Don’t give my shit away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
I know I’ve been away (I’ve been away)
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl (been away)
Don’t give my shit away
I’m just tryna get my paper straight, girl
(Keep me out your head)
(I’m for real)
(Keep me out your head)
(I’m for real)
(Baby, keep me out your head)
(Oh, oh)
(Keep me out your head)
Splintering the silence with a refrain that becomes a mantra, ‘Been Away’ by Brent Faiyaz is an intimate soliloquy that projects the internal struggles of a modern day hustler balancing love and ambition. Blending luscious R&B rhythms with intricate storytelling, Faiyaz delivers an anthem that explores the territorial nature of love against the backdrop of personal growth and financial stability.
Through the repetitive proclamation, ‘I’m just tryna get my paper straight,’ the song becomes a mirror reflecting the age-old narrative of desires in conflict – the desire for success fanning the flames of ambition while the desire for presence and intimacy casts a lingering shadow. As we pull back the layers of ‘Been Away,’ we uncover a narrative filled with vulnerability, sincerity, and the existential quest for purpose.
Love’s Labor in a Material World
At the heart of ‘Been Away,’ lies the classic dichotomy between love and labor. Brent Faiyaz paints a vivid picture of the consequences that come from prioritizing one’s career over romantic commitments. The lyrics are an ode to the sacrifices made in the relentless pursuit of success, but they also pose a silent question: Is the cost of getting one’s ‘paper straight’ the alienation of one’s affection, the distance from a lover left waiting?
The song does more than just tell a tale of ambition; it acknowledges the reality that the grind and hustle culture so idolized can create casualties of passion and connection, gently probing the listener to weigh the balance between financial success and emotional fulfillment.
Undying Loyalty or The Fear of Abandonment?
Faiyaz’s words deliver a striking vulnerability as they delve into the psychology of trust. The lines ‘Would you thug it out? Would you be here to the end?’ magnify the intrinsic fear of abandonment. The expectation for unwavering loyalty from his partner, even in his absence, becomes a compelling plea.
The song becomes more than a narrative; it unfolds as a testament to the insecurities that grip even the most outwardly confident individuals. It’s an acknowledgment of the protagonist’s innate need for reassurance, of knowing that despite the distance, their bond remains untarnished.
The Allure of the Material Masquerade
In a cascade of emotionally charged verses, Brent Faiyaz turns a critical eye on the material tokens that often define modern relationships. ‘Shopping spree on my dime looking all kinds of new’ is not just a boast; it is a questioning of whether materialistic indulgence truly compensates for the absence of time and physical presence.
With each lyric, the artist subtly confronts the listener with the fact that monetary wealth, while capable of providing temporary pleasures, can never truly surrogate the depth and authenticity of genuine human connections.
A Poetic Cry for Intimacy Amidst Isolation
In the confession ‘This penthouse view ain’t as beautiful as you,’ Faiyaz reveals the hollow emptiness that accompanies the summit of success. The penthouse view, a metaphor for the peak of one’s achievements, pales in comparison to the presence of the loved one. It’s a poignant admittance that the landscapes of luxury are lifeless without love to look upon them.
With Brent Faiyaz’s delicate vocal delivery, the song’s poignancy is amplified, transforming the lyric into a powerful declaration of yearning for closeness amid the numbing high of isolated opulence.
The Hidden Meaning: Reflections of Self-Identity and Success
Beyond the evident narrative of romantic apprehension and longing, ‘Been Away’ subtly embeds a deeper contemplation of self-identity in the face of success. The repetition of ‘Keep me out your head’ underlines the friction between the narrator’s inner self and how he is perceived by others, a commentary on the disconnect that often accompanies fame and fortune.
Wrapped in a deceptively simple chorus, the song’s true essence lies in the undercurrents of existential wonder. Brent Faiyaz invites listeners to question their own concept of success and the role that personal relationships play in shaping their pursuits and sense of self.
