“53.49” is the twelfth and final track on Childish Gambino’s 2020 album ‘03.15.20.’ In this song, we hear Childish Gambino singing of enjoying life as is, and being stress-free.
Gambino announced the release of his fourth studio album project on a new website ‘DonaldGloverPresents.com.’ Initially, the entire album was put on the website and taken down equally fast. The album is titled ‘03.15.20‘ resembling the date of the website launch. The song titles of the album are timestamps for each of them on the tracklist.
At the beginning of the song, Gambino gives major props to Kanye West and his weekly Sunday Service routine. Gambino calls this “tryna put the spirit in your Yeezy Boosts,”
Gambino also adds that he sees beyond this world when he meditates. He says that he sees his father when his mind is at peace. He also says that his feelings resemble the purity and beauty of a lotus flower when his mind is at peace. And he doesn’t even have to get high to get this high. The flower Lotus plays a significant part in Buddhist culture where it symbolizes enlightenment.
Listen to “53.49” by Childish Gambino
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“53.49” Lyrics Meaning & Song Review
In the chorus of the song, we hear Childish Gambino in his freest state of mind in the entire album. He seems to care less about what is happening around him. Or it could be that he chooses to filter out the negativity so he sees everything as beautiful and pure on this Earth.
Gambino invites everyone to “Do what you wanna do.” Ignorance can be bliss in this crazy world!
In the second verse, Gambino pays homage to late African music legend Fela Kuti who had a signature style of being shirtless. Gambino has also adopted a similar style of late.
In the third verse, the theme changes ever so slightly. Gambino starts to talk about the ‘devil’ in the world. You can see this devil when you look at the mirror. Greed might be the devil’s best friend. So you might want to re-think your way of life in this world. Because at the end of the day, we all lose 24 hours to spend on Earth.
Let us hear what you think about “53.49” by Childish Gambino by dropping a comment below.
Check out the complete lyrics and further song meaning breakdown on Genius.
This is definitely a free feeling song. Felt as if it may have partially been inspired by his daughters line on 47.48 when she mentions how she loves herself and queries him and her mom if they also love themselves. In this 53.49 he also mentions how he said “i love me”