Kendrick Lamar is an American rapper and songwriter known for his intense lyrics and powerful storytelling. He gained fame with albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city and DAMN., earning critical praise.

His music blends hip-hop with social themes, making him one of the most influential artists of his generation.

About the Song

“Swimming Pools (Drank)” by Kendrick Lamar is a song about alcohol use and its effects. It mixes catchy beats with heavy lyrics, addressing peer pressure and personal struggles.

The song became a hit for its storytelling and meaningful message about drinking culture.

Swimming Pools Lyrics by Kendrick Lamar

Intro

Pour up (Drank), head shot (Drank)
Sit down (Drank), stand up (Drank)
Pass out (Drank), wake up (Drank)
Faded (Drank), faded (Drank)

Verse 1

Now, I done grew up round some people livin’ their life in bottles
Granddaddy had the golden flask, backstroke every day in Chicago
Some people like the way it feel, some people wanna kill their sorrow
Some people wanna fit in with the popular, that was my problem
I was in a dark room, loud tunes, lookin’ to make a vow soon
That I’ma get fucked up, fillin’ up my cup I see the crowd mood
Changin’ by the minute and the record on repeat
Took a sip, then another sip, then somebody said to me

Chorus

Nigga, why you babysittin’ only two or three shots?
I’ma show you how to turn it up a notch
First, you get a swimming pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
Pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
I wave a few bottles, then I watch ’em all flock
All the girls wanna play Baywatch
I got a swimming pool full of liquor and they dive in it
Po-Pool full of liquor, I’ma dive in it

Post-Chorus

Pour up (Drank), head shot (Drank)
Sit down (Drank), stand up (Drank)
Pass out (Drank), wake up (Drank)
Faded (Drank), faded (Drank)

Verse 2

Okay, now open your mind up and listen me, Kendrick
I am your conscience, if you do not hear me, then you will be history, Kendrick
I know that you’re nauseous right now and I’m hopin’ to lead you to victory, Kendrick
If I take another one down, I’ma drown in some poison, abusin’ my limit
I think that I’m feelin’ the vibe, I see the love in her eyes
I see the feelin’, the freedom is granted as soon as the damage of vodka arrived
This how you capitalize, this is parental advised, and apparently, I’m over-influenced
By what you are doin’, I thought I was doin’ the most ’til someone said to me

Chorus

Nigga, why you babysittin’ only two or three shots?
I’ma show you how to turn it up a notch
First, you get a swimming pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
Pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
I wave a few bottles, then I watch ’em all flock
All the girls wanna play Baywatch
I got a swimming pool full of liquor and they dive in it
Po-Pool full of liquor, I’ma dive in it

Post-Chorus

Pour up (Drank), head shot (Drank)
Sit down (Drank), stand up (Drank)
Pass out (Drank), wake up (Drank)
Faded (Drank), faded (Drank)

Bridge

I ride, you ride, bang
One chopper, one hundred shots, bang
Hop out, do you bang?
Two chopper, two hundred shots, bang
I ride, you ride, bang
One chopper, one hundred shots, bang
Hop out, do you bang?
Two chopper, two hundred shots, bang

Chorus

Nigga, why you babysittin’ only two or three shots?
I’ma show you how to turn it up a notch
First, you get a swimming pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
Pool full of liquor, then you dive in it
I wave a few bottles, then I watch ’em all flock
All the girls wanna play Baywatch
I got a swimming pool full of liquor and they dive in it
Po-Pool full of liquor, I’ma dive in it

Post-Chorus

Pour up (Drank), head shot (Drank)
Sit down (Drank), stand up (Drank)
Pass out (Drank), wake up (Drank)
Faded (Drank), faded (Drank)

Interlude

Sherane
Sherane (Pool—Kendrick—Kendrick—lies in it)
Sherane, Sherane
(W-watch ’em all flock) Aw man…
Sherane (Girls wanna play-play-play)
Where is she takin’ me? (I got)
Where is she takin’ me? (Pool full of liquor, I’ma die in…)

Verse 3

All I—all I—all I—
All I have in life is my new appetite for failure
And I got hunger pain that grow insane, tell me, do that sound familiar?
If it do, then you’re like me, makin’ excuse that your relief
Is in the bottom of a bottle and the greenest indo leaf
As the window open, I release everything that corrode inside of me
I see you jokin’, why you laugh? Don’t you feel bad? I prob’ly sleep
And never ever wake up, never ever wake up, never ever wake up
In God I trust, but just when I thought I had enough

Skit

“They stomped the homie out over a bitch?
K-Dot, you good, blood?
Now we can drop, ye we can drop you back off”
“That nigga’s straight, man, that nigga ain’t trippin'”
“We gon’ do the same ol’ shit
I’ma pop a few shots, they gon’ ru—they run opposite way
Fall right in ****’s lap
And he gon’ tear they ass up, simple as that”
“And I hope that bitch that set him up, out there
We gon’ pop that bitch too”
“Wait hold up, ayy, I see somebody”
*Car door opens and gunshots are fired*
“Aha! Got them niggas, K-Dot, you good?”
“L****, you good?”
“Yeah, blood, I’m good – Dave, you good?
Dave? Dave, say somethin’ – Dave?
These bitch-ass niggas killed my brother!”

Swimming Pools (Drank) Live on SNL

Similar Songs Like Swimming Pools by Kendrick Lamar

Here are some tracks that echo the vibe and lyrical depth of “Swimming Pools” by Kendrick Lamar.

• “Money Trees“: A smooth, laid-back song about chasing wealth and the struggles that come with it, featuring heavy lyrics and a catchy beat.
• “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe“: A reflective track about staying true to oneself and avoiding negativity, blending chill vibes with Kendrick’s signature thoughtful storytelling.
• “m.A.A.d city“: An intense song with a hard-hitting beat, telling the story of Kendrick’s tough upbringing and the violence in his hometown.
• “The Art of Peer Pressure“: A detailed storytelling track about the influence of friends and making bad choices, highlighting Kendrick’s sharp lyricism and great themes.

Similar Artists Like Kendrick Lamar

Check out these artists who share Kendrick Lamar’s style and storytelling, and enjoy their acclaimed albums.

• J. Cole
  Genre: Hip-Hop, Conscious Rap
  Top Album: 2014 Forest Hills Drive (2014)

• Vince Staples
  Genre: Hip-Hop, West Coast Rap
  Top Album: Big Fish Theory (2017)

• Schoolboy Q
  Genre: Hip-Hop, Gangsta Rap
  Top Album: Oxymoron (2014)

• Big K.R.I.T.
  Genre: Hip-Hop, Southern Rap
  Top Album: 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time (2017)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Main Theme of Swimming Pools?

The song examines the themes of alcoholism, peer pressure, and the struggle with addiction. It uses the metaphor of a swimming pool full of liquor to represent the presence of alcohol in the narrator’s life.

How does Kendrick Lamar Use Different Voices in the Song?

Lamar uses different voices in the song, including his own, a high-pitched voice for his conscience, and the voices of peers pressuring him to drink. This shows the internal and external struggles with alcohol consumption.

What Personal Experiences Does Kendrick Lamar Draw from in This Song?

The lyrics mention Lamar’s childhood, including people he knew who drank a lot and his grandfather’s drinking habits. These personal stories give context to the song’s focus on alcohol abuse.