Ethereal Introduction with The Weeknd’s Vocals
“Rather Lie” from Playboi Carti's album MUSIC is a standout track, blending his distinctive sound with The Weeknd’s ethereal vocals. The song opens with a signature vocal performance from The Weeknd, whose smooth and hypnotic delivery sets the tone for a track that moves seamlessly from dreamy melodies to a deep, mellow bassline. The atmosphere is both haunting and lush, immediately grabbing the listener’s attention as it builds into a laid-back, bass-heavy rhythm. The contrast between The Weeknd’s soulful vocals and Carti's playful, braggadocious energy creates a unique fusion that stands out in Carti’s discography.
The Weeknd Takes Center Stage
A key highlight of the song is that The Weeknd’s voice is front and center, with minimal input from Playboi Carti aside from his ad-libs and a few verses. This decision lets The Weeknd truly shine, taking control of the track with his emotive performance. His voice adds a layer of depth to the song, elevating it beyond the typical trap production. Carti’s restrained approach complements The Weeknd’s presence, giving the song a balanced yet dynamic feel that leaves room for both artists to shine.
A Growing Collaboration Between Two Artists
“Rather Lie” is the third collaboration between Playboi Carti and The Weeknd, following their previous work together, and the chemistry between the two continues to grow. The song was first teased during Rolling Loud’s 10th-anniversary festival, generating excitement among fans for Carti’s album MUSIC. Its smooth production, led by F1LTHY, blends both artists' styles, creating a track that feels fresh yet familiar. The heavy bass and atmospheric soundscapes give the track a dreamlike quality, pulling listeners into the world they’ve created.
Lyrical Complexity and Double Entendre
Lyrically, the song’s meaning can be interpreted in multiple ways, showcasing the complexity of both artists' themes. The Weeknd's lines in the chorus, "I'd rather lie than lose you," play on the idea of self-preservation and the lengths one might go to maintain a relationship. While The Weeknd’s lines can be seen as reflecting on his own relationships, Playboi Carti’s verses seem to focus more on the carefree and chaotic lifestyle he embodies, with lines like “Ex got a problem, tell him say somethin'.” This duality between love and recklessness adds a fascinating layer to the song’s narrative.
A Memorable Collaboration
“Rather Lie” is a strong entry in both artists' catalogs. The Weeknd's performance elevates the song to new heights, while Carti’s minimal contributions provide just the right amount of flair. It’s a track that balances introspection with braggadocio, offering listeners a complex and engaging listening experience that sticks with them long after the song ends. Fans of both artists will appreciate how the track marries their distinct styles into a single, cohesive sound that leaves an impact.
Listen to Playboi Carti Rather Lie
Playboi Carti Rather Lie Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Rather Lie by Playboi Carti is centered around the complex dynamics of relationships, where deception is seen as a lesser evil compared to the potential pain of losing someone. Through the lyrics, Carti explores the tension between honesty and emotional protection, expressing a willingness to lie in order to keep a romantic connection intact. The song delves into themes of love, luxury, and emotional vulnerability, with Carti using his lavish lifestyle and personal experiences to illustrate the conflict between truth and the fear of heartbreak. Ultimately, Rather Lie highlights the darker side of relationships, where dishonesty becomes a coping mechanism to avoid the harsh realities of love and the pressures that come with fame and success.
Producer Tag: "Wake up, F1LTHY"
The opening line, "(Wake up, F1LTHY)," features the producer tag of F1LTHY. The voice in this tag appears to be female, and the chirp sound accompanying it is sampled from a Nextel Motorola device. This tag first appeared in Karmah & Phlegm’s July 2014 track "Racks Up Part II," featuring Avi Twat. There is also an alternate version of the tag used in Goth Money's October 2015 track "Young Taliban."
Carti's Use of "Bool" and Bloods Affiliation
“She bend right back then we bool” refers to Playboi Carti's use of the word "bool," where he replaces the C in "cool" with a B to demonstrate his affiliation with the Bloods, a street gang originating in California. Replacing C’s with B’s is common practice for members of the Bloods due to their rivalry with the Crips. Although Carti is not an official member of the Bloods, he has referenced them in previous tracks, such as his 2017 single "wokeuplikethis*," where he says: "I’m in Bompton with Pirus and I don’t even bang, yeah / Shoutout G Weed and Yung L, yeah, ho, that the gang." Carti also refers to himself as "Barti" on multiple occasions, including in his feature on ¥$’s "CARNIVAL," where he says, "It’s Ye and Barti, tell me who fuckin' with we?" This nickname dates back to at least 2014 when Carti used it in the song "talk" with the line, "I’m in this bitch, Barti."
Relationship Themes: "Bagged Me A Cougar"
In the line “Bagged me a cougar, I'm younger / I'm diggin' deep like a plunger / I took her panties up off her / Opposites always attract, how you happy then get mad?” Carti expresses that he is in a relationship with an older woman, likening his depth of involvement to that of a plunger. He further suggests that the relationship dynamic is intensified by their age difference, although mood swings seem to be a recurring theme.
Chorus: The Lie to Protect Love
The chorus, sung by The Weeknd and DJ Swamp Izzo, reflects a theme of dishonesty to avoid emotional harm. The repeated lines, "I'd rather lie than to lose you, girl / I'd rather lie than confuse you, girl," emphasize that deception is preferable to facing the truth, which might lead to the end of the relationship. They admit that they have surpassed their competitors, stating, "Truth is, we lapped them, they want us gone," while also acknowledging the pressures of being at the top: "Truth is, they can't handle me at the top." The Weeknd confesses his desire to spare his partner from the harsh details of his life by lying to her: "I'd rather spare you the details, my love."
Verse 1: Carti's Lifestyle and Love
In the first verse, Carti offers insights into his lifestyle and relationships, declaring, "She wanna fuck, let's make up / Ex got a problem, tell him say somethin' (Schyeah)." He flaunts his wealth, saying, "Hundred thousand racks in the bando," suggesting he can provide anything for his partner, as shown in the line, "Anything she want, I can get done." Carti emphasizes his carefree attitude, even referencing drug use: "I'm off a bean, it's gettin' me—uh." He reiterates the central theme of the song by stating, "Oh, you already know I'd lie to you than lose and break your heart."
Verse 2: Lavish Lifestyle and Volatile Relationships
The second verse sees Carti elaborating on his lavish lifestyle: "I'm back on the track gettin' off like this / I'm back on the lean, I'ma talk like this." He continues to boast about his possessions and relationships, referencing a romantic encounter with an older woman: "Bagged me a cougar, I'm younger." He further describes the intensity of their relationship, using a plunger metaphor to highlight the depth of his involvement. Carti also reflects on the volatile nature of relationships, stating, "Opposites always attract, how you happy then get mad?" He then reinforces the theme of deceit to avoid emotional harm: "I know it's hard to see, but I'd rather lie than lose."
Repeated Chorus: Lying to Avoid Loss
Throughout the song, the chorus recurs, reinforcing the message that lying is preferable to losing a loved one. The closing lines, "I'd rather lie than lose you, I'd rather lie / I'd rather, I'd rather / I'd rather lie than lose you," echo the song's central theme, encapsulating the fear of emotional loss and the preference for deceit as a protective mechanism.
Playboi Carti Rather Lie Lyrics
[Chorus: The Weeknd & DJ Swamp Izzo]
I'd rather lie than to lose you, girl
I'd rather lie than confuse you, girl
Truth is, we lapped them, they want us gone
Truth is, they can't handle me at the top
I'd rather spare you the details, my love
Oh, I'd rather (Wake up, F1LTHY)
I'd rather lie than lose you, I'd rather lie (Swamp Izzo, hahaha)
I'd rather, I'd rather
I'd rather lie than lose you, I'd rather lie
I'd rather, I'd rather
I'd rather lie than lose you
[Verse 1: Playboi Carti]
She wanna fuck, let's make up
Ex got a problem, tell him say somethin' (Schyeah)
House in the hills, we'll lay up (Schyeah)
Bae, you could stay, we could play fun
She don't do much, just lay
Anything she want, I can get done
Hundred thousand racks in the bando (Schyeah)
Hundred thousand racks in the bando
She want a bag and I get that
She tryna leave, told me she— uh
Said that she leavin', she wanna— uh
I'm off a bean, it's gettin' me— uh
She bend right back then we bool
At the top, we could swim in the pool (Schyeah)
In the penthouse, I'm lovin' on you (Ha)
Said she fuckin', she fuckin' with me, yeah (Ha)
Oh, you already know I'd lie to you than lose and break your heart
I'd rather tell you a lie than tell you the truth and leave you stuck (Schyeah)
How you gon' take it this far?
Baby, know that you fuck with a star (Yeah)
Baby, know that you fuck with a star (Yeah)
[Chorus: The Weeknd & DJ Swamp Izzo]
I'd rather lie than to lose you, girl
I'd rather lie than confuse you, girl
Truth is, we lapped them, they want us gone
Truth is, they can't handle me at the top
I'd rather spare you the details, my love (Hahaha)
Oh, I'd rather
I'd rather lie than lose you, I'd rather lie
I'd rather
[Verse 2: Playboi Carti]
I'm back on the track gettin' off like this
I'm back on the lean, I'ma talk like this
I'm back on that shit, I'ma walk like this
House got a view, we could fuck like this
Niggas get mad when I talk this shit
Niggas be mad 'cause I offed his bitch (Hol' on)
This nigga mad 'cause I fucked her
Bagged me a cougar, I'm younger
I'm diggin' deep like a plunger
I took her panties up off her
Opposites always attract, how you happy then get mad? (Schyeah)
But I want you bad and she wanna make up
I might just tell you that this true love, give you my kidney
Wrist filled up, while I'm spinning
I'm off the lean and molly at the same damn time, I can't even stay up (What?)
Wrist in the freezer
I'ma cash out 'cause you mine
I'ma pull up, get behind you
All of that ass, let me bite that
Give you my card, tell you, "Swipe that"
It wasn't you, it's me, it ain't me, it's you
I know it's hard to see, but I'd rather lie than lose
I'd rather, I'd rather, I'd rather
[Chorus: The Weeknd & DJ Swamp Izzo]
I'd rather lie than to lose you, girl (Swamp Izzo, hahaha)
I'd rather lie than confuse you, girl
Truth is, we lapped them, they want us gone
Truth is, they can't handle me at the top
I'd rather spare you the details, my love
Oh, I'd rather
I'd rather lie than lose you, I'd rather lie (Wake up, F1LTHY)
I'd rather, I'd rather
I'd rather lie than lose you, I'd rather lie
I'd rather, I'd rather
I'd rather lie than lose you
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