Smoking Section
Jelly Roll Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴I was talkin' to a guy that I respect dearly the other day
And he told me not to get so distracted fighting the alligators
That I forget to clean the swamp
And it took me a second to think about what he was really sayin'
But he was sayin'
"Don't let my problems distract me so much dealin' with them, I forget my mission"

Hey baby brother, how ya doin'

The streets still holdin'
The last time I seen ya, you ain't seem so focused
Can't believe I ain't noticed, I can't believe I missed it
Life been crazy man, fast life livin'
While Struggle's sittin' in prison, I'm sittin' and trippin'
And I'm sittin' here wishin' that you were sittin' here with me

But you're not, I'm all alone
Tryin' to write this song
Sippin' on some bourbon and blowin' a little strong
This is therapeutic music so I'm takin' my time
Figured while I had a second, I would drop you a line
Me and Will are doing well man, don't worry 'bout us
I bet yo ass up there chillin' probably rollin' it up

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone
I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section

Hey Momma V, it's been a minute since I mentioned your name
And every hardship is a blessing and this is the same
It's been 16 years, it doesn't lessen the pain
'Cause your death was a first hand lesson on age

I'm just riding through my own neighborhood reminiscing
The life that I was livin', man was I trippin'
I grew up around sinners all after tryin' to win
People livin' to die, but they was dyin' to live
Think about you every now and then I ride by the crib
Call it the crib, but my mother hasn't lived there in years
Meanwhile, my cousin came home from doing a bid
Gave the man an iPhone and he didn't know what it is

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone
I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section

We ain't smoked in a while, I'm sorry the change did it
That and the fact you got strung out on painkillers
The money and fame did it, you tried and you can't quit it
To think it's a shame that your name's in the same sentence
As a junkie, a flunkie, your back is the monkey
You used to have it all, the hoes and the money
Had a dream that you killed yo'self
Woke up reachin' for my phone like you needed my help

But I'm so focused on myself and my daughter doing well
You're a grown man, I have to hope you're going through a spell
But I'm prayin' for you, and I know that you're feelin' the pain
But you're an addict, you won't change 'til you're ready to change
And I hope you think about your family and get it right
And just know that I'ma pray for you before I sleep tonight
And me and money talk, I'd like to share this thought
While you fightin' alligators, don't forget to clean the swamp

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
When it's said and done and we're all gone

I hope they got a place that we can blow
I hope that Heaven has a smoking section

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jelly Roll's song "Smoking Section" delve into the rapper's personal struggles and relationships with family and friends while simultaneously providing commentary on the dangers of addiction and the importance of staying focused on one's goals. The song opens with Jelly Roll recounting a conversation with someone he respects who advised him not to become so consumed with fighting problems and distractions that he loses sight of his ultimate purpose. The artist then address his younger brother, acknowledging that he has been preoccupied with his own problems and hasn't been there for him in the way he should have been. Jelly Roll also alludes to the difficulties of fame and the negative impact it can have on one's life and relationships, telling the story of a friend who became addicted to painkillers because of the pressures and temptations of success. The chorus, "I hope that Heaven has a smoking section," acts as an extended metaphor for the spaces and moments in life where people can come together to unwind and escape the difficulties of day-to-day life.

Line by Line Meaning

I was talkin' to a guy that I respect dearly the other day
I spoke to someone I have a lot of respect for recently

And he told me not to get so distracted fighting the alligators
He advised me not to become too sidetracked dealing with my problems

That I forget to clean the swamp
And not to forget my main objectives in the process

And it took me a second to think about what he was really sayin'
It took me a moment to fully understand what he meant

But he was sayin'
Basically, what he was trying to say was...

Don't let my problems distract me so much dealin' with them, I forget my mission
Not to allow my difficulties to consume me to the point that I forget my ultimate goal

Hey baby brother, how ya doin'
Addressing his younger brother affectionately

The streets still holdin'
Asking how things are on the street

The last time I seen ya, you ain't seem so focused
Stating last time I saw you was not too positive

Can't believe I ain't noticed, I can't believe I missed it
Regretting that he hasn't paid more attention to his brother's well-being

Life been crazy man, fast life livin'
Acknowledging how chaotic life can be

While Struggle's sittin' in prison, I'm sittin' and trippin'
Reflecting on his friend Struggle's imprisonment and his own worries

And I'm sittin' here wishin' that you were sittin' here with me
Wishing his brother was with him

But you're not, I'm all alone
Realizing that he is alone

Tryin' to write this song
Attempting to write music

Sippin' on some bourbon and blowin' a little strong
Drinking bourbon and smoking marijuana

This is therapeutic music so I'm takin' my time
Taking time to create a healing piece of music

Figured while I had a second, I would drop you a line
Deciding to write to his brother while he has some time

Me and Will are doing well man, don't worry 'bout us
Updating his brother on his own situation and asking him not to worry

I bet yo ass up there chillin' probably rollin' it up
Joking that his deceased mother is likely relaxing and smoking

Hey Momma V, it's been a minute since I mentioned your name
Addressing his late mother after a long time

And every hardship is a blessing and this is the same
Believing that every difficulty is a blessing in disguise

It's been 16 years, it doesn't lessen the pain
Reflecting on the fact that despite significant time passing, his mother's death still affects him greatly

'Cause your death was a first hand lesson on age
Seeing his mother's death as a firsthand reminder of mortality

I'm just riding through my own neighborhood reminiscing
Driving through his hometown and remembering the past

The life that I was livin', man was I trippin'
Reflecting on what his life was like before

I grew up around sinners all after tryin' to win
Being surrounded by people who were trying to come out on top

People livin' to die, but they was dyin' to live
Living recklessly in a harsh environment

Think about you every now and then I ride by the crib
Thinking of his late mother when he drives past their former home

Call it the crib, but my mother hasn't lived there in years
Referring to the house as 'the crib', but acknowledging that it has been uninhabited for some time

Meanwhile, my cousin came home from doing a bid
Noticing that his cousin has returned from prison

Gave the man an iPhone and he didn't know what it is
Observing how much the world has changed while his cousin was incarcerated

We ain't smoked in a while, I'm sorry the change did it
Apologizing for the fact that they haven't smoked together recently

That and the fact you got strung out on painkillers
Acknowledging his brother's addiction to painkillers

The money and fame did it, you tried and you can't quit it
Suggesting that his brother's addiction may have come about due to their newfound wealth and status

To think it's a shame that your name's in the same sentence
Feeling ashamed that his brother's name has become associated with addiction

As a junkie, a flunkie, your back is the monkey
Describing how addiction has become a burden for his brother

You used to have it all, the hoes and the money
Recalling how his brother used to have everything he wanted, including material possessions and romantic attention

Had a dream that you killed yo'self
Having a nightmare about his brother's struggle with addiction

Woke up reachin' for my phone like you needed my help
Feeling a strong urge to help his brother upon waking up

But I'm so focused on myself and my daughter doing well
Refocusing on his own life and goals

You're a grown man, I have to hope you're going through a spell
Recognizing that his brother is an adult and hoping that this is just a phase he can overcome

But I'm prayin' for you, and I know that you're feelin' the pain
Praying for his brother and acknowledging his suffering

But you're an addict, you won't change 'til you're ready to change
Recognizing that addiction is a difficult cycle to break

And I hope you think about your family and get it right
Encouraging his brother to think about their family and make the right choices

And just know that I'ma pray for you before I sleep tonight
Promising to pray for his brother's well-being

And me and money talk, I'd like to share this thought
Continuing with a separate thought that he would like to share

While you fightin' alligators, don't forget to clean the swamp
Advising his brother to focus on his main objectives while dealing with his problems

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Expressing his hope that there is a place to smoke in the afterlife

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Repeating his hope for a smoking section in Heaven

When it's said and done and we're all gone
Referring to the inevitable end of life

I hope they got a place that we can blow
Expressing his desire for a place to smoke

I hope that Heaven has a smoking section
Repeating his earlier sentiment

Contributed by Ian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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