Back in March, singer and rapper Rod Wave released the album SoulFly. Track two is called “Gone Till November,” and in the chorus, Wave promises, “So I, I’ll be gone ’til November, go in and mark your calendar.” Last week, Wave honored that pledge by dropping “By Your Side,” a new single produced by TnTXD and Harto. The song has slipped into the Top 10 on the Genius Top Songs chart—an impressive feat given the extent to which Taylor Swift and Adele have been dominating the tally.
Wave opens the song by referencing his earlier promise and reflecting on what he’s been up to for the last nine months. He’s been on the road, enjoying the spoils of a successful career while trying to make peace with his past.
It’s November, where the fuck is Rod Wave?
Young nigga way outta state
Fucked up, gettin’ over pain
Toward the end of the song’s first and only verse, Wave calls back to his 2019 track “Cuban Links,” in which he tells us he’s going to die wearing the titular style of jewelry. These days, Wave is more into a certain Swiss luxury watch brand—and he’s planning on sticking around a while.
Fuck dying in my Cuban link, I’m living in my Richard Millie
I just finished my tour, what a wonderful feeling
I got inside my bag and got out my feelings
I’m out my feelings
In the chorus, Wave interpolates the first verse from the 2006 Plain White T’s smash “Hey There Delilah,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics are basically identical, except Wave changes “Delilah” to “everybody.” That little edit makes a huge difference. “By Your Side” isn’t a love letter to one person; it’s a song for anyone who’s stuck in their feelings and would like a little company.
Hey there everybody, what’s it like in
your city?
I’m a thousand miles away but look, tonight you look so pretty
Yes you do, oh
You can check out all the lyrics to “By Your Side” on Genius.
