Both of Us
Strange Clouds (B.o.B. Album) | 2012
"Both of Us" is a song by American rapper B.o.B, released on May 22, 2012, as the third single from his second studio album, "Strange Clouds" (2012). The song features vocals from Taylor. The artists co-wrote the song alongside Ammar Malik and the song's producers, Dr. Luke and Cirkut.
"Both of Us" is an alternative hip hop song, with musical influences of country rap and dubstep. The lyrics of "Both of Us" talks about racism and bullying.
BACKGROUND AND RELEASE
It was Taylor who came up with the idea for the collaboration after she visited B.o.B's label, Grand Hustle Records. The rapper explained: "She came to Atlanta and she hit up Grand Hustle. I wasn't there. Tip was there and I eventually linked with her in Dallas and the rest is history." This is not the first time Taylor contributed to a hip hop song, her other collaborations with include her "Thug Story" hook up with T-Pain at the CMT Music Awards (2009) and two years later, the superstar recruited T.I., Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, to assist her during the "Speak Now World Tour".
CHART PERFORMANCE
"Both of Us" debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number 46. The song sold 143,000 copies in its first week, along with the album release, debuting at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became the week's top debut. The single sold over 1,000,000 digital copies as of August 25, 2013.
CRITICAL RECEPTION
"Both of Us" was released to critical acclaim, most praising Taylor's feature, with some calling the country rap collaboration as a sweet and melodic catchy song.
Lyrics
I wish I was strong enough to lift not one but both of us
Some day I will be strong enough to lift not one but both of us
Ever thought about losing it
When your money's all gone and you lose your whip
You might lose your grip when the landlord tell ya that you're due for rent
And the grass so green on the other side
Make a n**** wanna run straight through the fence
Open up the fridge bout twenty times
But still can't find no food in it
That's foolishness
And sometimes I wonder, why we care so much about the way we look
And the way we talk and the way we act
And the clothes we bought, how much that cost?
Does it even really matter?
'Cause if life is an uphill battle
We all tryna climb with the same ol' ladder
In the same boat, with the same ol' paddle
Why so shallow? I'm just asking
What's the pattern for the madness
Everybody ain't a number one draft pick
Most of us ain't Hollywood actors
But if it's all for one, and one for all
Then maybe one day, we all can ball
Do it one time for the underdogs
Sincerely yours, from one of y'all
I wish I was strong enough to lift not one but both of us
Some day I will be strong enough to lift not one but both of us
I can feel your pain, I can feel your struggle
You just wanna live, been everything so low
That you could drown in a puddle
That's why I gotta hold us up, yeah hold us up
For all the times no one's ever spoke for us
To every single time that they play this song
You can say that that’s what Bobby Ray wrote for us
When the tides get too high
And the sea up underneath get so deep
And you feel like you're just another person
Getting lost in the crowd, way up high in the nosebleed
Uh, because we won't be near yet, both of us
But we still stand tall with our shoulders up
And even though we always against the odds
These are the things that have molded us
And if life hadn't chosen us
Sometimes I wonder where I would've wound up
'Cause if it was up to me, I'd make a new blueprint
Then build it from the ground up, hey
But if it's all for one, and one for all
Then maybe one day, we all can ball
Do it one time for the underdogs
From Bobby Ray, to all of y'all
I wish I was strong enough to lift not one but both of us
Some day I will be strong enough to lift not one but both of us
Written by: B.o.B., Ammar Malik, Lukasz Gottwald, Henry Walter, Taylor Swift
