Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
Tyler, The Creator
“A BOY IS A GUN*” is one of the more Kanye-esque tracks out of IGOR, as seen by Tyler’s delivery of the chorus and the clear use of “Bound” by the Ponderosa Twins, which was also sampled by West in his 2013 album, Yeezus. The song was first teased in a 28-second snippet posted by Tyler on May 13, 20...
[Refrain]
No, don't shoot me down (Yeah)
No, don't shoot me down (Okay)
No, don't shoot me down
[Chorus]
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
(You started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (A boy is a gun)
That's why these other niggas lame to us
'Cause all these other niggas lame as fuck
We show 'em no respect
[Post-Chorus]
(You started with a mere hello)
When the time's right, yeah
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (A boy is a gun)
(Turn me up a little bit)
[Refrain]
No, don't shoot me down
[Verse 1]
Take your hoodie off, why you hide your face from me?
Make your fuckin' mind up, I am sick of waitin' patiently
How come you're the best to me? I know you're the worst for me
Boy, you're sweet as sugar, diabetic to the first degree
My spidey sensies got me on the fencies
Whole squad in Ginza, travel bag by Balenci'
Big dawg hittin' big wheelies on the six speed
[Refrain]
No, don't shoot me down
[Chorus]
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
(You started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (A boy is a gun)
That's why these other niggas lame to us
'Cause all these other niggas lame as fuck
They show 'em no respect
[Post-Chorus]
(You started with a mere hello)
When the time's right (Yeah)
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (A boy is a gun)
(Look)
No, don't shoot me down
[Verse 2]
Oh, you passive-aggressive? Oh, you fakin' you're mad?
(You started with a mere hello)
Oh, you wanna go home? Cool, you better call you a cab
I ain't takin' you home, yeah, I'm brushin' you off
'Cause this parka is Comme, you're my favorite garçon
Don't leave, stay right here, yeah, I want you right near
(You started with a mere hello)
You invited me to breakfast, why the fuck your ex here?
Well, let's see if you 'round a god around this time next year
[Refrain]
No, don't shoot me down
No, don't shoot me down (Fucked up)
No, don't shoot me down
No, don't shoot me down
[Chorus]
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
(You started with a mere hello)
You so motherfuckin' dangerous
You got me by my neck (A boy is a gun)
That's why I start to think it's lame as fuck
(Well, I'm here for you)
[Post-Chorus]
(You started with a mere hello)
When the time's right (Yeah)
When the time's right, baby
When the time's right (A boy is a gun)
[Refrain]
No, don't shoot me down
[Bridge]
(You started with a mere hello)
You're a gun 'cause I like you on my side at all times
You keep me safe (No, don't shoot me down)
(You started with a mere hello)
Wait, wait, depending on, you know (All the time)
You could be dangerous to me (Time, time)
Or anyone else
[Verse 3]
Look, they be bringin' us up
(You started with a mere hello)
Yeah, like now and again
Give a fuck what they talkin' 'bout, I see you as a 10
I'ma leave it at that, I'ma leave us as friends
'Cause the irony is I don't wanna see you again
Stay the fuck away from me
Stay the fuck away from me
Stay the fuck away from me
I ain't gon' repeat myself, but stay the fuck away from me
[Outro]
(You started with a mere hello)
(A boy is a gun)
No, don't shoot me down
(You started with a mere hello)
(A boy is a gun)
A BOY IS A GUN* was written by Lester Allen McKenzie & Bobby Massey & Robert Dukes & Tyler, The Creator.
A BOY IS A GUN* was produced by Tyler, The Creator.
Tyler, The Creator released A BOY IS A GUN* on Fri May 17 2019.
Both this track and Kanye West’s 2013 song “Bound 2” sample “Bound” by the Ponderosa Twins Plus One. It’s worth noting that Tyler helped produce the original version of “Bound 2”, and that the two artists have collaborated on songs like “PUPPET” off of Igor, and “SMUCKERS” off of Cherry Bomb.
The asterisk could be a reference to GOLF le FLEUR*, Tyler’s shoe brand, which is stylized with an asterisk, too. Furthermore a boy is a gun* is Tyler’s newly founded label under which IGOR was released.
During the week ending June 1, 2019, “A BOY IS A GUN” debuted and peaked at #74 on the Hot 100.
Yes. He tweeted out an official lyric write-up of the song’s lyrics, as seen here:
When referring to his favorite moments on IGOR, Tyler said that Solange’s vocals right before Verse 3 being his favorite from this track.
On July 25, 2023, “A BOY IS A GUN*” was certified platinum by the RIAA.