“Mr. Clean” is the debut single by American rapper Yung Gravy, released on September 8, 2016, from his debut EP of the same name. The song quickly became Gravy’s breakout hit, gaining significant traction on SoundCloud and attracting widespread attention after its music video release in 2017.
The track is characterized by its unique production style, which infuses a trap beat with a sample from the classic 1950s song “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes. This musical approach exemplifies Yung Gravy’s distinctive style of blending nostalgic elements with modern hip-hop, creating a humorous and irreverent sound.
Musically, the song showcases Gravy’s comedic rap persona, featuring his trademark wordplay and pop culture references. The lyrics are filled with provocative humor, sexual innuendos, and playful boasts that have become a hallmark of Yung Gravy’s musical style. The music video, filmed in Madison, Wisconsin, further emphasizes the song’s playful nature, showing Gravy in a fluffy white bathrobe, washing a car with bikini-clad women and riding a Sea-Doo.
The song was so successful that it helped launch Gravy’s music career, even influencing his academic path. While studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the song’s popularity led him to drop one of his majors and graduate a semester early.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Mr. Clean” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro: Yung Gravy & The Chordettes]
(Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum)
Gravy
(Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum)
Mr. Sandman bring me a dream (Bum bum bum bum)
Make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen (Bum bum bum bum)
Give him two lips like roses and clover (Bum bum bum bum)
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
The song opens with a sample from The Chordettes’ 1954 hit “Mr. Sandman,” setting a nostalgic tone that contrasts with the modern hip-hop style to follow. This juxtaposition creates an ironic backdrop for Gravy’s explicit lyrics.
[Verse 1]
Gravy make it splash like Pippen
Shit that’s nothin’ (Splash)
Everybody call me Big Pimpin’
No, I ain’t bluffin’
I’m with your mom in the kitchen
Makin’ blueberry muffins (Mm)
Must be Thanksgiving
‘Cause your bitch want the stuffing
Gravy uses basketball and culinary metaphors to boast about his skills and sexual conquests. He compares himself to NBA star Scottie Pippen and claims to be intimate with listeners’ mothers, using crude humor and wordplay.
[Chorus]
Mr. Clean
Gravy why your flow so mean?
Mr. Clean
Pull up with my whole damn team
Mr. Clean
Mr. Clean
Mr. Clean
Mr. Clean
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The repeated “Mr. Clean” refrain reinforces Gravy’s self-proclaimed cleanliness, which serves as a metaphor for his superiority in various aspects of life.
[Verse 2]
Gravy, he be clean like Windex (Woo)
Just hit your mom with my index (Woo)
And yo bitch look like a pinhead
All my haters, they be skinheads
Pissed off ’cause they wife is they sister
And Yung Gravy just kissed her (Hot damn)
Pull up on the scene
Cause a wet dream I might need a submarine
If you got the beef I turn yo ass to smitherines (Uh)
Yo bitch looking scary I thought it was Halloween
Gravy, he be clean like some fucking Listerine (Uh)
But I smooth it out like a jar of Vaseline
Shit
Posted with a MILF and her name is Charlene
Errybody wonder how she got the hygiene
It’s all thanks to Mr. Clean
This verse continues the bragging and maternal references while introducing cleaning product metaphors (Windex, Listerine, Vaseline) to emphasize Gravy’s “cleanliness”. He also disparages his critics and rivals using exaggerated, humorous insults.
[Verse 3]
Gravy, he be clean like Colgate (Ayy)
White MILF Charlene that’s my soulmate
(Ayy)
You ain’t got a bitch I might donate (Ayy)
Slide in the DMs with the snowflake (Ayy)
Talkin ’bout your girl my favorite topic
You can’t even see me, you would think I’m microscopic
Gravy ballin’ out like the fuckin’ Flint Tropics
Turn these bitches on ’cause I’m really good at Bop-It
Clean in, clean out
Pullin’ up drop top Viper
(Ayy)
Had to steal yo bitch (Uh)
Finessed it like I’m Swiper (Ayy)
So much bread gotta get my fiber
Gravy, he be cleaner than your windshield wipers (Uh)
Your step-mom made me a pie
You can call me the Pied-Piper (Sheesh)
I don’t eat the booty, I ain’t even gotta say it
But I’ll eat my girl’s ass if she had a bad day (Ayy)
Gravy don’t play
Bitch I’m at the bakery, them donuts gettin’ glazed
Stay with three hoes like it’s the holidays
Stuck to the bread, you would think I’m mayonnaise (Goddamn)
Shit I’m so God damn clean, got me feelin’ like I’m Billy Mays
(Holy Shit)
The final verse maintains the established themes while expanding the range of pop culture references, including allusions to the Flint Tropics (a fictional basketball team), the game Bop-It, and the Pied Piper. Gravy continues to boast about his sexual exploits and wealth using various metaphors and wordplay.
[Outro: Ice Cream Taster]
Cover all 9,000 taste buds
Aerate it
Warm it up
Driving up
That top note
That cream
Pure vanilla
Sweeteners
Mmm, that’s a ten
The song concludes with an unrelated sample about ice cream tasting, which adds a final layer of absurdist humor to the track.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Mr. Clean”
Yung Gravy’s “Mr. Clean” is a playful and irreverent hip-hop track that showcases the artist’s unique style and humor. The song, released in 2016, became Gravy’s breakout hit and established his persona as a rapper who blends clever wordplay with outrageous boasts and pop culture references.
At its core, “Mr. Clean” is an exercise in braggadocio, with Gravy asserting his superiority in the rap game through a series of witty and often absurd comparisons. The titular “Mr. Clean” serves as a metaphor for Gravy’s perceived purity and superiority in the hip-hop world. He likens himself to various cleaning products and concepts, such as Windex, Listerine, and Colgate, to emphasize how “clean” his flow and style are compared to other rappers.
The song’s lyrics are rife with double entendres and humorous references. Gravy frequently alludes to relationships with older women, particularly mothers, which has become a recurring theme in his music. Lines like “I’m with your mom in the kitchen / Makin’ blueberry muffins” exemplify his irreverent approach to traditional rap boasts. This MILF-centric humor has become a signature element of Gravy’s style, setting him apart from other artists in the genre.
Throughout the track, Gravy incorporates a wide range of pop culture references, from sports figures like Scottie Pippen to children’s cartoon characters like Swiper from Dora the Explorer. These references, combined with his unconventional rhyme schemes and delivery, create a unique listening experience that blends nostalgia with contemporary hip-hop sensibilities.
The production of “Mr. Clean” also contributes significantly to its appeal. The beat, produced by White Shinobi, samples The Chordettes’ 1954 hit “Mr. Sandman,” creating a juxtaposition between the wholesome, vintage sound and Gravy’s modern, irreverent lyrics. This contrast adds another layer of humor and charm to the track.
Ultimately, “Mr. Clean” serves as an introduction to Yung Gravy’s world – one where traditional rap boasts are turned on their head, pop culture references abound, and humor is the driving force. The song’s success lies in its ability to make listeners smile and feel good, which aligns with Gravy’s stated goal for his music. By not taking himself too seriously and embracing a playful, carefree attitude, Gravy created a memorable debut that set the stage for his unique brand of hip-hop comedy.

Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.