How Much a Dollar Cost
| "How Much a Dollar Cost" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Kendrick Lamar featuring James Fauntleroy and Ronald Isley from the album To Pimp a Butterfly | |
| Released | March 15, 2015 |
| Genre | Jazz rap |
| Length | 4:21 |
| Label | |
| Writer |
|
| Producer | LoveDragon |
"How Much a Dollar Cost" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015).[1]
Lyrics and analysis
"How Much a Dollar Cost" is a song/story about Kendrick Lamar and a test he faced with while in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was confronted by a homeless man while at a gas station and the man asked for 10 Rands (South African currency) ≈ 1 dollar. Kendrick, thinking the man would spend it on alcohol or another drug, says no. The man persists but Kendrick continues to say he will not give him the dollar. The man asks one last time and finally reveals who he actually is, God. It was a test and Kendrick failed and as a result, God tells Kendrick he has lost his spot in heaven. Kendrick though, by writing this song, is admitting his wrong and is repenting in hope of receiving forgiveness from God.
The song as a whole is parable by Kendrick Lamar. It is similar to the stories told by Jesus to convey a message. In this particular song, the message is about the dollar and how it has corrupted us. Kendrick, someone who has many dollars (just like many others), did not give this man a single dollar. Kendrick represents all of us, as a society and how we are too greedy and unwilling to help those less fortunate. Kendrick is trying to tell society money does not matter, we just need love and as the hook of "How Much A Dollar Cost" goes, "All you need, the air you breathe."
In popular culture
Barack Obama, the President of the United States of America, named "How Much a Dollar Cost" as his favorite song of 2015.[2]
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[3] | 140 |
| UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[4] | 27 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[5] | 9 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] | 40 |
References
- ↑ Jeffries, David (March 16, 2015). "To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar". AllMusic. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ↑ Gordon, Jeremy (December 9, 2015). "President Obama Says Kendrick Lamar's "How Much a Dollar Cost" Was His Favorite Song of 2015". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2015-03-22" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2015-03-22" UK R&B Chart. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ↑ "Kendrick Lamar – Chart history" Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for Kendrick Lamar.
- ↑ "Kendrick Lamar – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Kendrick Lamar. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
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