Explore the lyrics of A$AP Rocky’s “Punk Rocky.” A look at the song’s themes of love, trust, and emotional conflict in his new release.
The lyrics of A$AP Rocky’s “Punk Rocky” construct a narrative of emotional whiplash and guarded vulnerability. The words cycle through regret, suspicion, and defensive posturing, framing love as a risky transaction where trust is frequently broken. The refrain, voiced by collaborator Cristoforo Donadi, introduces a plea to remember and return to love, creating a haunting, repetitive anchor for the track. This refrain contrasts with Rocky’s own verses, which detail the aftermath of failed connection. The central chorus holds a simple, repeated desire to fall in love without the attendant pain of a broken heart or growing apart. This direct longing provides a clear, relatable core for the song, a sentiment that resonates for listeners engaging with the track for its melodic and singable qualities.
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Rocky’s verses and the extended post-chorus delve into the specific bruises of these romantic failures. The post-chorus lyrics play with perspective, shifting between “I” and “you” to express both personal hurt and a warning to others. The phrase “I told her, ‘Don’t be dumb,'” directly references the forthcoming project’s title, positioning the song as a thematic cornerstone. Lyrical images like crying alone in a truck, confiding in a styrofoam cup, and the metaphor of a “punch drunk” love leaving a blackened eye communicate a raw, physical sense of emotional damage. These lines move beyond typical hip-hop bravado to acknowledge isolation and the struggle to trust. The mention of ego as a “hell of a drug” and economics where “nothing’s promised” ties the personal turmoil to broader themes of value and risk.
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For audiences, the lyrics offer a complex look at modern relationship anxieties. The song does not provide resolution but instead articulates the cyclical nature of hope and disappointment. The closing outro, with its talk of apology and being “punch drunk in love,” reinforces this cycle. This lyrical content fits within the evolution of Rocky’s songwriting, which has progressively incorporated more introspective and confessional tones alongside his stylistic and aesthetic innovations. The words provide material for fans to connect with the artist’s personal narrative, while the catchy, regret-filled hooks ensure the track’s utility for playlists and communal listening experiences. The lyrics of “Punk Rocky” ultimately serve as an unvarnished entry in the catalog of an artist examining the cost of connection under the spotlight.
Produced by A$AP Rocky, Ging, Zach Fogarty & Cristoforo Donadi
January 16, 2026
1 song, 4 minutes
℗ 2026 A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC
Lyrics
[Refrain: Cristoforo Donadi]
Sometimes I forget what love is
Trust me, love me, take me right back
Sometimes I forget what love is
Trust me, love me, take me right back
[Chorus: A$AP Rocky]
I wanna fall in love, don’t want no broken heart
Don’t wanna grow apart (Take me back)
I wanna fall in love, don’t want no broken heart
Don’t wanna grow apart (Take me back)
[Post-Chorus: A$AP Rocky]
I thought I fell in love, I thought she felt it too
I thought we was in love, she just another fluke
I thought you was the one, I guess you just the two
You want the last laugh, look, now the joke’s on you
You thought you fell in love, you thought he felt it too
I told her, “Don’t be dumb,” you just another fool
You thought he was the one, I guess he just the two
You want the last laugh, look, now the joke’s on you (Yeah, bro)
[Verse 1: A$AP Rocky]
I cried alone in my truck, yeah
I felt alone in the front ’cause I don’t know who to trust
And I’ve been going through some stuff
Don’t trust these hoes you love, yeah
Your ego’s one hell of a drug (Yeah, ooh)
Economics ’cause nothing’s promised (Woo)
You hold a grudge and you treat me like I’m scum (Like I’m scum)
Gotta trust your gut (Gotta trust your gut)
God the only one to judge (Only God who judges)
Now I’m confided in my cup, yeah, now I see it
[Chorus: A$AP Rocky]
I wanna fall in love, don’t want no broken heart
Don’t wanna grow apart (Take me back)
I wanna fall in love, don’t want no broken heart
Don’t wanna grow apart (Take me back)
[Post-Chorus: A$AP Rocky]
I thought I fell in love, I thought she felt it too
I thought we was in love, she just another fluke
I thought you was the one, I guess you just the two
You want the last laugh, look, now the joke’s on you
You thought you fell in love, you thought he felt it too
I told her, “Don’t be dumb,” you just another fool
You thought he was the one, I guess he just the two
You want the last laugh, look, now the joke’s on you
[Refrain: Cristoforo Donadi]
Sometimes I forget what love is
Trust me, love me, take me right back
[Verse 2: A$AP Rocky]
She don’t even wanna be my wife no more
Fuck it, man, life goes on
How I’m supposed to right my wrongs?
How many times do right go wrong?
Tell me how I’m supposed to write love song
But I don’t even like them sung
She ain’t gon’ be in my life no more
Got me crying in the microphone
Let me shout on the megaphone
That ho ain’t my type no more
She ain’t in my life no more
I confide in my styrofoam cup
I confide in my styrofoam cup
[Outro: A$AP Rocky]
You’re punch drunk in love, left me with a blackened eye (‘Phone, cry)
She don’t like those rapper guys, take me back (‘Phone, ‘phone, cry)
This punch drunk in love (Love), left me with a blackened eye (‘Phone, ‘phone, cry)
Right now, I’d like to apologize, take me back (‘Phone)
