Summatime (feat. Wale)
GoldLink
Lost Connections and California Dreams: The Essence of 'Summatime'
GoldLink's 'Summatime (feat. Wale)' is a reflective and melancholic exploration of lost connections and the allure of California. The song opens with Radiant Children setting a nostalgic tone, reminiscing about a past relationship that has faded over time. The lyrics 'I haven't seen you since the summertime' and 'These days you don't even know me' highlight the emotional distance that has grown between the narrator and their former lover. This sense of longing and unfulfilled love is described as a 'love crime,' emphasizing the pain of unreciprocated feelings.
GoldLink's verse delves deeper into the complexities of modern relationships, particularly in the context of California's glamorous yet superficial lifestyle. He describes a secretive and transient relationship, marked by physical encounters and a lack of emotional depth. The lines 'Keep it on the hush hush, keep it on the DL' and 'You slide down a poll, then I'm slidin' down your TL' illustrate the clandestine nature of their interactions, driven by desire rather than genuine connection. GoldLink's portrayal of California as a place where people seek fame and pleasure, often at the expense of meaningful relationships, adds a layer of social commentary to the song.
Wale's verse continues this theme, highlighting the temptations and distractions of California life. He references the desire for fame and the pursuit of high-profile relationships, as seen in the lines 'You want to move to Calabasas but it's too expensive' and 'You want to be with Yeezy, Travis, Migos, or the Jenners.' Wale's lyrics also touch on the fleeting nature of these connections, with references to 'Cinderella' and 'glass slippers' symbolizing the temporary and often illusory nature of these relationships. The song as a whole paints a vivid picture of the emotional and social landscape of California, where dreams and desires often clash with reality, leaving individuals feeling disconnected and longing for something more substantial.