Released: 2016
Aiight, we diving into the deep end of Travie’s banger “goosebumps” that dropped as part of his 2016 “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight” album. Off the rip, the track’s a wave of emotion, cruising through the vibes of intoxicating attraction and the kind of energy someone can bring that just changes up your whole mood. It’s that real raw feeling you get when that special somebody pulls up and all of a sudden, everything’s all good, you got them goosebumps activating.
Breaking it down, let’s unpack this nocturnal anthem. When Trav kicks off with “7:30 in the night,” he sets up that scene — it’s that prime time when night vibes kick in. As he gets into the hook, “I get those goosebumps every time, yeah, you come around,” it’s crystal clear he’s talking about a shorty who’s got him feeling some type of way, on that next level. Now that’s not just about romance, nah, it’s deeper — it’s mental, physical, a spiritual thing that just hits different.
Travis ain’t stressing over small talk, those “comments,” ’cause he’s way above that, numbed out and detached, maybe ’cause he’s riding his own wave or popping bottles in the club. He’s got this duality — craving for her when she’s not there and wanting to ditch whenever he feels choked up, hence needing “the Heimlich.” Travis swerves into the next part, repping his roots with “7-1-3 through the 2-8-1,” that’s Houston area codes for y’all. He’s soaring high, “flyin’,” sippin’ “low-key” at Onyx — a Houston strip club, just living that fast life.
Trav flexes proper, comparing his lady to a “Pop star, lil’ Mariah” — a chick with clout, and talks game about how he’s moving money without breaking a sweat, like it’s nothing. “Throw a stack on the Bible” might be him saying he swears it’s all real, no cap. But it ain’t all sunshine; he’s also aware of the fickleness of fame and who’s real — hence “Oh no, I can’t fuck with y’all.”
With “Saucin’ in the city, don’t get misinformed” he’s warning us not to get it twisted, they’re saucy, they got flavor and style out here. And that “brr, brr, brr” onomatopoeia? That’s the sound of guns or the roar of a supercar, bringing that echo of danger or flexing with wealth. He’s outlining the boundaries between his world and ours — mans can’t just step into his life and understand it.
Travis switches gear into introspection, where he seems to be dealing with his past and present. “Mama, dear, spare your feelings” could be him telling his mom to look away as he indulges in the life of luxury and pleasure. He’s playing with the concept of love and lust, acknowledging their power with “put the pussy on a pedestal.” And then with “Peter Piper picked a pepper,” he’s playing with rhythm and words, suggesting he’s picking apart a girl’s thoughts while keeping her close, metaphoric for the depth of their connection.
As the hook slides back in, it’s like a needle dropping back on the record, a loop of those raw feelings he can’t shake. His fixation is strong, it’s the mainstay on his mind, and it pulls him back every time to those feelings of being alive — them goosebumps.
And there you have it — “goosebumps” is a trip through Travis Scott’s world where love, luxury, clout, and pride coalesce into a vibe that gets you feeling some type of way. It’s a heady mix of sensations, set against the backdrop of Houston, riding through the night; a modern-day romance, drenched in syrupy beats and neon lights.
