Emotional and Reflective Atmosphere
"Like Him" by Tyler, The Creator, from the album Chromakopia, immediately sets an emotionally charged and introspective tone. The track begins with a slow, minimalist piano melody that creates tension and allows the listener to feel the weight of the song’s theme. As the song progresses, additional instrumentation, such as drums, hi-hats, and a distorted guitar, adds texture, creating a dynamic soundscape that draws the listener deeper into Tyler’s reflective mood.
Thoughtful Production on Tyler The Creators Like Him
The production in "Like Him" is both subtle and impactful. The song’s gradual build from a simple piano to a fuller arrangement mirrors the growing emotional intensity. The sparseness at the start gives the listener space to focus on the underlying emotions, while the introduction of more instruments halfway through provides a sense of release. This layered production is intentional and thoughtful, adding to the song’s emotional journey without overwhelming its intimate nature.
Understated Vocal Performance
Tyler’s vocal delivery is understated yet compelling, allowing the song’s emotional content to shine without feeling forced. His contemplative tone fits the introspective nature of the track, drawing the listener into his inner world. The inclusion of spoken word sections from Bonita Smith adds an extra layer of authenticity, giving the track a personal, conversational quality that further enhances its emotional depth.
Universal Themes of Identity and Family
While "Like Him" is rooted in Tyler’s personal story, it touches on broader, universal themes. The song explores ideas of identity, family dynamics, and the impact of absence in a way that feels relatable to many. Tyler balances these heavy topics with a melody that is both thoughtful and approachable, making it a song that resonates with listeners on multiple levels. It feels personal yet universal in its themes.
Like Him Is a Standout Track on Chromakopia
"Like Him" is a standout track on Chromakopia for its emotional depth, carefully crafted production, and relatable storytelling. The song takes the listener on a journey of reflection and personal growth, highlighted by the careful blend of instrumental and vocal elements. Tyler’s ability to turn personal experiences into something universally meaningful is what makes "Like Him" such a memorable and impactful piece of music.
Listen to Tyler The Creator Like Him
Tyler The Creator Like Him Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Like Him" by Tyler, The Creator, is centered around the complex emotions tied to the absence of his father and the deep impact it has had on his identity. Through reflective lyrics, Tyler grapples with the idea of resembling a man he barely knows, both physically and emotionally. The song explores themes of longing, self-discovery, and the inherited traits that connect Tyler to his father, despite his absence. As he seeks validation and understanding from his mother, the track serves as a powerful meditation on how family dynamics, or the lack thereof, shape one's sense of self.
Intro: Bonita Smith’s Reflection on Tyler’s Resemblance to His Father
"Like Him" by Tyler, The Creator, begins with an intro from Tyler's mother, Bonita Smith, who reflects on how Tyler physically resembles his absent father. She says, “Damn, nigga, every time I look at you, I swear to God / Nigga, you got that nigga feet / You got that nigga body / You got that nigga long arms, fingers and shit / Flat feet, big di—." This unfiltered observation creates an emotional foundation for the song. It highlights the deep connection between Tyler and his father, despite the father’s absence. Bonita’s remarks show how even though Tyler’s father wasn’t present, Tyler still inherited physical traits from him, which creates a personal and intimate tone for the track. The unfinished line about Tyler’s privates, while uncomfortable, adds an unfiltered layer to the dialogue, reflecting the raw and personal nature of their relationship.
Verse 1: Struggling with Resemblance and Identity
In the first verse, Tyler reflects on these observations, acknowledging how his mannerisms resemble his father's. He states, “She said that I make expressions like him / My legs to my shoulders and my chin like him / My waist and my posture like him / Like him / Like him, like him, like him." The repetition of "like him" emphasizes his struggle with his identity, as he tries to piece together who his father was and what parts of himself come from his absent parent. This longing for connection with someone he barely knows creates a haunting sense of unresolved emotions, as Tyler contemplates his inherited traits.
Chorus: Chasing the Ghost of His Father
The chorus expands on this theme of absence, with Tyler repeatedly referring to his father as a "ghost." He sings, "Mama, I'm chasing a ghost / I don't know who he is / Mama, I'm chasing a ghost / I don't know where he is / Mama, I'm chasing a ghost / Do I look like him? (Like what?) / Like him (Like what?) / Like him (Like what?) / Like him (La-la-la-la)." The metaphor of a ghost reflects the intangible, elusive presence of his father, someone who exists in Tyler’s life only through memories and stories, not through real experiences. By asking his mother if he looks like his father, Tyler is searching for validation and answers about his identity, underscoring the emotional weight of his father's absence.
Verse 2: Longing for Love and Reflection on His Father's Absence
In the second verse, Tyler expresses a longing for the love and attention he never received from his father. He sings, "Give me love and affection / Attention, protection (Go) / How could I ever miss a chance (Go) / That I never had?" These lines highlight Tyler's desire for the emotional support he missed out on, while also acknowledging that he cannot miss something he never had the chance to experience. He continues, "I would never judge ya / 'Cause everything worked out without him (Like what?) / Like him (Like what?) / Like him," expressing understanding toward his mother for raising him alone and stating that, despite his father’s absence, things turned out fine. However, the lingering repetition of "like him" shows that Tyler still feels the effects of his father’s absence, despite how well things have gone.
Verse 3 and Outro: Self-Acceptance and Maternal Regret
Like Him's third verse further explores Tyler’s journey of self-acceptance and trust in his relationships. He states, "I decided to really get that love inside of you / I would never ever lie to you (Yeah) / You ain't ever gotta lie to me / I'm everything that I strive to be." These lines show his commitment to honesty and love, suggesting a desire to build relationships based on trust, something he may have lacked growing up without his father. Still, he continues to grapple with his identity, asking, "So do I look like him? / Do I look like him? (Like him, like him, like him, like him) / I don't look like him (Like him)." This internal questioning reveals that, despite his growth and success, Tyler is still haunted by the question of how much of his father is within him, and whether he truly resembles the man he never knew.
The outro provides a powerful conclusion, as Bonita takes full responsibility for Tyler’s father’s absence, saying, “It was my fault, not yours, not his, it was my fault / I'm sorry / You know, it was my fault / Not him 'cause he always wanted to be that for you / And I'm sorry I was young, but he's always wanted to be a father to you / So I-I fucked up and I take ownership of that, of my choices and decisions and I'm sorry for that." Her confession adds emotional depth to the song, revealing her regret over the decisions that led to Tyler growing up without his father. She pleads for Tyler to forgive her and not blame his father, stating, "He's a good guy / So don't hold that against him because it was my fault / Just you know, forgive me." This final plea highlights the complexity of their family dynamic and leaves the listener with a sense of unresolved emotions, as both Tyler and his mother come to terms with the impact of his father’s absence.
Tyler The Creator Like Him Lyrics
[Intro: Bonita Smith]
Damn, nigga, every time I look at you, I swear to God
Nigga, you got that nigga feet
You got that nigga body
You got that nigga long arms, fingers and shit
Flat feet, big di—
[Verse 1: Tyler, The Creator]
She said that I make expressions like him
My legs to my shoulders and my chin like him
My waist and my posture like him
Like him
Like him, like him, like him
[Chorus: Tyler, The Creator]
Mama, I'm chasing a ghost
I don't know who he is
Mama, I'm chasing a ghost
I don't know where he is
Mama, I'm chasing a ghost
Do I look like him? (Like what?)
Like him (Like what?)
Like him (Like what?)
Like him (La-la-la-la)
[Post-Chorus: Tyler, The Creator]
(La-la-la-la)
[Verse 2: Tyler, The Creator]
Give me love and affection
Attention, protection (Go)
How could I ever miss a chance (Go)
That I never had?
I would nevеr judge ya
'Cause evеrything worked out without him (Like what?)
Like him (Like what?)
Like him
[Chorus: Tyler, The Creator & Baby Keem]
Mama, I'm chasing a ghost
I don't know who he is
Mama, I'm chasing a ghost
I don't know where he is
Mama, I'm chasing a ghost
Do I look (Huh?)
[Post-Chorus: Tyler, The Creator]
Like him
Like him
[Verse 3: Tyler, The Creator]
I decided to really get that love inside of you
I would never ever lie to you (Yeah)
You ain't ever gotta lie to me
I'm everything that I strive to be
So do I look like him?
Do I look like him? (Like him, like him, like him, like him)
I don't look like him (Like him)
[Outro: Bonita Smith]
It was my fault, not yours, not his, it was my fault
I'm sorry
You know, it was my fault
Not him 'cause he always wanted to be that for you
And I'm sorry I was young, but he's always wanted to be a father to you
So I-I fucked up and I take ownership of that, of my choices and decisions and I'm sorry for that
He's a good guy
So don't hold that against him because it was my fault
Just you know, forgive me