Takin' Shots

"Takin' Shots" is an unapologetic party anthem that delves deep into the hedonistic and excessive lifestyle associated with rock stardom. The song's meaning revolves around the celebration of living without limits, indulging in alcohol, drugs, and casual encounters. Post Malone paints a vivid picture of a perpetual party, where the night never truly ends (“Drinkin' all night, but we ain't done yet”). It's a testament to a life consciously chosen, one of reckless abandon and opulence. The recurring line, "This is the life that we chose," serves as the core message, signifying an acceptance and embrace of this chaotic existence, rather than a lament. The track is a direct reflection of the themes prevalent in the album Beerbongs & Bentleys, celebrating success through the lens of relentless partying and luxury.

The narrative unfolds in the midst of an endless night of partying and indulgence. The protagonist is fully immersed in a hedonistic lifestyle, characterized by continuous drinking and the anticipation of more substances, as he mentions waiting for his dealer. There's a sense of reckless abandon and living in the moment, with the party's continuation being a certainty, backed by a cavalier attitude towards money. The scene is one of excess, with the party lasting until the sun has risen and set multiple times, suggesting a multi-day affair. This lifestyle of 'acting out' is portrayed as a lucrative and chosen path, a stark contrast to the conventional way of working for money.

The central figure moves through this world with an air of braggadocio and confidence. He boasts about his luxurious possessions, like a Ferrari and expensive Saint Laurent suits, and his casual consumption of Bud Light. His appearance is self-described as a 'sexy motherfucker in a cartoon,' a vivid image suggesting a larger-than-life, almost surreal persona. He is surrounded by women and drips with wealth, attracting attention wherever he goes. The atmosphere is thick with intoxication and a loss of control, a state he not only acknowledges but seems to embrace fully. He describes being so drunk and high that he's almost incoherent, yet he continues to ask for more drinks and substances.

Amid the chaos, there's a recurring assertion that 'this is the life that we chose.' This phrase acts as a defiant justification for their behavior, a declaration of agency in their pursuit of pleasure. He challenges those who might judge him, suggesting they are secretly envious and would partake if they could. The lyrics also touch upon fleeting connections, where a woman becomes a 'soulmate' for the night, fueled by a mixture of vodka and champagne. The cycle of drinking is relentless, from night until day, culminating in a state of being 'out like a tailgate.' The song is a snapshot of a rockstar's life, filled with luxury, excess, and a conscious decision to live without limits, fully aware and accepting of the chaotic path they are on.

"Takin' Shots" was released on April 27, 2018, as a track on Post Malone's second studio album, Beerbongs & Bentleys. The album itself was a massive commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200. The song was written by Austin Post (Post Malone), Louis Bell, PartyNextDoor (Jahron Anthony Brathwaite), Billy Walsh, and David Hughes. The production was handled by a team of frequent Post Malone collaborators, including Louis Bell, Prep Bijan, and PartyNextDoor, who also provided background vocals. The recording process for the album took place between 2016 and 2018 at various studios. Post Malone's producer Louis Bell has described their recording process as capturing long, 15-minute takes of Malone's vocals and then chopping them up to construct the final song, which contributes to the raw yet polished feel of tracks like "Takin' Shots".

The rhyme scheme in "Takin' Shots" is relatively straightforward, primarily relying on end rhymes in a couplet-like fashion to maintain a consistent, driving flow. For instance, in the pre-chorus, "door" rhymes with "more," and "blow" with "roll." This simplicity makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to, befitting a party track. The rhythm is built on a mid-tempo trap beat with prominent hi-hats and a deep bass line. Post Malone's lyrical delivery often plays with the rhythm, sometimes lagging slightly behind the beat, which contributes to the song's laid-back, intoxicated vibe. The repetition in the chorus creates a hypnotic, chant-like effect, particularly with the line "we takin' shots right now," which acts as the song's rhythmic and thematic anchor.

Musically, "Takin' Shots" fits within Post Malone's signature genre-blending style, combining a melodic, sing-song rap delivery with a trap-influenced beat. The production, led by Louis Bell, is polished and bass-heavy, designed to be a club and party anthem. Post Malone's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element; it's relaxed and slightly slurred, enhancing the song's theme of intoxication. He uses a conversational and often braggadocious tone, listing luxury items like a "'Rari" and "Saint Laurent" to build his rockstar persona. The use of ad-libs ("skrrt skrrt," "yet") is a common trope in modern hip-hop that adds rhythmic texture and energy. The song structure follows a standard verse-chorus pattern, making it catchy and memorable, which is a hallmark of Post Malone's pop sensibilities.

"Takin' Shots" is a track from Post Malone's critically and commercially successful album Beerbongs & Bentleys, which broke streaming records upon its release in 2018. While not released as a standalone single with the same promotional push as hits like "Rockstar" or "Psycho," the song performed well, charting in numerous countries, including reaching number 29 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has been certified Platinum in the US and Canada, and Gold or Silver in other territories. The song is often seen by fans as an underrated deep cut from the album and a quintessential Post Malone party track. It solidifies his image as a relatable rockstar figure who blends hip-hop bravado with a fun-loving, everyman appeal. The song's themes of hedonism and success are central to Post Malone's brand and have influenced the sound and subject matter of contemporary pop-rap.

While "Takin' Shots" is largely straightforward in its lyrical content, it employs imagery and metaphors to amplify its themes of excess and a surreal lifestyle. The line "Sexy motherfucker in a cartoon" suggests a persona that is larger-than-life, almost animated and unreal in its extravagance. It symbolizes a detached, almost fictional existence that fame and wealth can create. The mention of not sleeping until seeing "three suns" is a hyperbolic expression for partying for days on end, symbolizing a complete disregard for time and normal daily cycles. This imagery reinforces the theme of a life lived outside conventional boundaries. Furthermore, the act of "takin' shots" itself is a direct symbol of the song's core theme: living in the moment, embracing risk, and indulging in immediate gratification without concern for the consequences.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the chorus line, "Drinkin' all night, but we ain't done yet," immediately followed by the hook, "We takin' shots right now." This repetition drills the central theme of endless partying into the listener's mind, creating a powerful and memorable anthem. Another key recurring motif is the idea of this lifestyle being a conscious decision: "This is the life that we chose." This line appears in the pre-chorus, acting as a defiant justification for the hedonism described. It dismisses any potential judgment by asserting personal agency. Motifs of wealth and luxury also recur throughout the verses with references to brands like Ferrari and Saint Laurent, and boasts of having a "big bag," reinforcing the idea that this lifestyle is fueled by success.