GIVĒON kicks off Take Time with “THE BEACH,” an ode to his hometown of Long Beach, CA, to which he attributes much of his demeanor in an interview with okayplayer.:
I grew up on the East side of Long Beach. It was fun, dangerous, and interesting all at the same time. My mom did a good job of makin...
[Intro: Giveon's Mom]
Giveon
I don't know if it was fireworks or gunshots, but the birds is in the air
[Verse 1]
She just let me know
Where they show no fear
It ain't safe 'round here
But she still gonna hold on
It ain't safe 'round here
But she doesn't run from right here
Lust, guns, drugs, violence
Lust, guns, drugs, violence, ooh
[Chorus]
Oh, won't let you go, go, go (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Won't let you go, go, go (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Go, oh-oh, ooh (Ooh)
[Verse 2]
Your mama warned you 'bout 562
To tell you the truth, she ain't lyin' to you
Baby, you said you ain't scared
Oh, girl, I love how you care
I'll put your love on a pedestal (Pedestal)
Whatever you want I'ma get it for you (Get it for you)
Hop in the whip, we can go skrrt
Show you the city that made me like this
Ooh, ooh, ooh, made me like this
Ooh, ooh, ooh, made me who I am
Say, ooh, ooh, ooh, 24th street
Ooh, ooh, ooh, made me who I am
[Bridge]
See, your mom told you about this side
It can get ugly
I'm just a boy from the east side
Do you love me?
Your mom told you about this side
It can get ugly
I'm just a boy from the east side, oh, no
[Interlude: Giveon's Mom & Giveon]
I don't know if it was fireworks or gunshots but the birds is in the air (Oh, won't let you go-go-go)
So don't come over here (Won't let you, oh, I won't let you go)
Hit me up and let me know you're safe and be safe
Why I always gotta call you a million times 'fore you call me back, son? (Oh, oh)
Anyway, call me back, I love you, bye (Won't let you go baby, yeah)
[Outro]
Oh, won't let you go, go, go
Won't let you go, go, go
Go, oh, ooh
Pray and live your life, pray and live your life
Pray and live your life
Pray and live your life, pray and live your life
Pray and live your life
Pray and live your life, pray and live your life
Pray and live your life
THE BEACH was written by Boi-1da & Los Hendrix & Yakob & GIVĒON.
THE BEACH was produced by Los Hendrix & Yakob & Boi-1da.
Giveon performed “THE BEACH” on his Tiny Desk (Home) Concert released February 9, 2021.
We had a song camp for a couple of days. We had a bunch of amazing producers from the song camp. After the song camp, we still had music that was untouched. I went in one day by myself with ‘The Beach’ and the day before, my mom had left me a voicemail about some sketchy stuff happening in Long Beac...