Wiki
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Length
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The title “These Walls” plays off the familiar expression “if these walls could talk…” Kendrick’s complex wordplay introduces layered metaphorical and literal walls—the “walls” of a woman’s vagina, the walls of a prison cell, and ultimately the “walls” of his mind and conscience. Kendrick uses this conceit to explore sex, abuse, his own career, his enemies, and the human psyche.
The song narrates Kendrick having sex with a woman who has children with a man in jail for killing one of Kendrick’s friends. Kendrick views this as an act of revenge for his slain friend, but he also has a bad conscience about using his fame and power to seduce someone for that purpose.
Ultimately “these walls” represent being imprisoned by the entire situation: an allegory for a cycle of murder, lust, seduction, revenge and guilt.
Kendrick said “These Walls” was one of his favorites on the album: “It’s a record that I always wanted to make but didn’t know how to make.”
Vandalizing these walls only if they could talk
― “Never Catch Me” by Flying Lotus
Kendrick may have been hinting at this track in Never Catch Me by Flying Lotus.
“These Walls” won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
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