Bonfire Lyrics – Childish Gambino

Bonfire Lyrics Meaning

[Verse 1: Meaning]
Childish Gambino kicks off the song by introducing himself and diving straight into bold, provocative lyrics. When he says, “homegirl drop it like the NASDAQ,” he’s drawing a comparison between a girl dancing and the rapid movements of the stock market. The next line, “Move white girls like there’s coke up my asscrack,” uses shock value to emphasize his influence over people, particularly white girls, comparing it to the addictive power of coc*ine. He then follows with “Move black girls ’cause, man, fu*k it, I’ll do either,” indicating he’s not picky about his preferences, embracing a carefree and rebellious attitude.

The line “I love pus*y, I love b!tches, dude, I should be running PETA” is a play on words, where he humorously suggests that his love for women is so intense that he should be an animal rights activist. He paints a vivid image of himself wearing Adidas and short shorts with “B-O-O all over me,” which could signify a nickname or initials, creating a quirky and memorable visual.

“My green is where it’s supposed to be, your green is in my grocery” implies that his money is well-managed and secure, while others’ money is being spent by him. The “Asian dude, I stole his girl and now he got that Kogi beef” line combines cultural references and wordplay, indicating he took another man’s girlfriend, leaving him bitter (“Kogi beef” being a type of Korean BBQ, symbolizing resentment).

When he says, “My d!ck is like an accent mark, it’s all about the over E’s,” he uses a clever metaphor to boast about his s*xual prowess, with “over E’s” suggesting both s*xual satisfaction and a focus on excellence. “Hot like a parked car” evokes the uncomfortable heat of a car left in the sun, emphasizing his intensity. He follows with “I sound weird like ‘N!gga’ with a hard ‘R’,” addressing racial slurs and how they don’t fit with his style, embracing his unique voice.

“Fly like the logo on my cousin’s 440” continues the wordplay, possibly referencing a car or plane model, highlighting his cool demeanor. “Eating Oreos like these white girls that blow me” mixes racial and s*xual imagery, continuing his provocative style. The lines “Vodka for my ladies, whiskey for a grown man” show his preference for specific drinks, contrasting light and strong beverages.

“Hanging in the islands, looking for Earl like Toejam” refers to a video game character, indicating he’s chilling but alert. “I made the beat retarded, so I’m calling it a slow jam” uses outdated language to describe his music as intentionally offbeat but impactful. “Butcher and I know it, man, kill beef, go ham” continues the wordplay, suggesting he’s skilled at rapping (“killing beef”).

“These rappers are afraid of him ‘Cause I’m a beast, b!tch, ‘Grrr’, Invader Zim” positions him as a fearsome competitor, likening himself to the cartoon alien Invader Zim. “Gambino is a call girl, fu*k you, pay me” suggests he’s in high demand, expecting compensation. The “brand new whip for these n!ggas like slavery” line controversially references luxury cars and historical oppression, blending brashness with social commentary.

“Told me I was awful and that sh!t did not faze me” shows his resilience against criticism. He follows with “Tell me how I suck again, my memory is hazy,” indicating he forgets negativity easily. “You’re my favorite rapper now,” yeah, dude, I better be” asserts his confidence. The “kiss my ass, Human Centipede” line is another provocative image, referencing a disturbing movie to dismiss critics.

“You wanna see my girl? I ain’t that dumb” shows his protectiveness. “You wanna see my girl? Check Maxim” implies his girlfriend’s attractiveness is magazine-worthy. Finally, “Man, why does every black actor gotta rap some?” addresses stereotypes, concluding with “I don’t know, all I know is I’m the best one,” reaffirming his self-assuredness.

[Chorus: Meaning]
The chorus, “It’s a bonfire, turn the lights out, I’m burning everything you mothafu*kas talk about,” symbolizes Gambino’s intent to disrupt and challenge the norms in the rap game. He’s ready to dismantle and critique everything others are saying, bringing a fiery intensity to his music.

[Verse 2: Meaning]
Childish Gambino starts Verse 2 by calling out other rappers for talking trash and how he’s prepared to deal with it aggressively, likening himself to a villain with “goons.” “I’m from the South, ain’t got no accent, don’t know why” hints at his Southern roots and the surprise that he doesn’t have a strong accent, which might make him stand out in the rap scene.

“So this rap is child’s play, I do my name like Princess Di” plays on his rap name, suggesting that making music is easy for him, as easy as a child’s game. “They say they want the realness, rap about my real life” shows he’s aware of fans’ desires for authenticity. He mentions being criticized for sounding “white” and for being too optimistic, countering that he’s like a “stepfather” to rap—someone who might be disliked but demands respect.

“I put in work, ask Ludwig” refers to his collaborator Ludwig Göransson, highlighting his dedication to his craft. “Put my soul on the track like shoes did” implies he’s deeply invested in his music. “Played this for my cousin, now he can’t even think straight” suggests his music is so powerful it leaves listeners stunned. “Black and white music? Now, n!gga, that’s a mixtape” means he blends different styles and genres in his music.

“Shoutout to my blerds, they represent the realness” acknowledges his nerdy black fans (“blerds”). “Shoutout to Gambino Girls, my d!ck is in the building” humorously thanks his female fans. “I know you hate me ’cause your little cousin play me out” recognizes his popularity with younger listeners. “I like black girls who nerdy but when they dance they be saying ‘Ow'” mixes his preferences for intelligent and fun women.

“I’m sorry for who followed me, Chilling with a Filipina at your local Jollibee” depicts a scene of him with an Asian girl at a popular fast-food chain. “Yeah, I’m in her as* like sodomy” is another provocative line, emphasizing his boldness. “So if you see my hand under the table, don’t bother me” suggests he doesn’t care about being judged.

“I don’t talk soft, that’s that other guy” separates himself from more passive rappers. “I’m screaming ‘What the fu*k is up?’ like I ain’t seen the sky” expresses his loud, confrontational style. “The sh!t I’m doing this year? Insanity” hints at his ambitious plans. “Made the beat then murdered it, Casey Anthony” uses a dark reference to claim his dominance in music production.

“These rappers don’t know what to do ‘Cause all I did was act me, like a Looney Tune” means he’s just being himself, which confuses others. “And I’ll give you all of me until there’s nothing left, I swear this summer will be summer Camp, b!tch” promises to give his all to his fans, referencing his mixtape “Camp” and hinting at an unforgettable experience.