Our next song is a "radio classic", and it is also a song that probably got more airplay than it deserved. Nevermind, it definitely got more airplay than it deserved. Some of the lyrics in this song are straight up confusing, so I figured I'd break it down for all of you who just didn't listen (or couldn't even try to listen) to Joc's message.
Song # 4. "It's Going Down" by Young Joc
Young Joc - It's Going Down (YouTube)
[Note: the video is hilarious]
[Lil Boi]
This a nitty beat (boing)
Like all great music, the song starts out with a 'boing' noise and a shout to the producer (Nitty) from a dude named Lil' Boi (which seems like a redundant name, he might as well me called Big Giant)
[Nitty, the producer]
Here we go again
Ghettoville U.S.A. (uh Oh)
You know I go by the name nitty right (uh huh)
I gotta introduce you to another motherfucker out my squad right (who dis nigga mane?)
Dis nigga go by the name of Joc (Joc?)
He resides in College Park (College Park cp)
But for right now what we gotta do for y'all (what we gonna do)
We gotta give y'all a hit (huh)
Nitty lays a "gritty" intro, speaking (not singing, or rapping) about the hit he's about to lay down for his "squad" mate, Joc. The repeating of his speech (the enclosed parts after each line) tends to show no one knows or cares who Joc is, but Nitty clearly wants that changed
[Verse 1]
Niggaz in my face
Damn near er' day
Asking a million questions like
Joc where ya stay
Tell 'em College Park
Where they chop cars
Eat 20 grand spend a grand at the bar
Fools are in Joc's face, aggressively questioning where he stays, aka where he is from, but although he makes a claim that they ask him 'a million questions', but then he proceeds to list only one. However, he does inform us they chop cars in College Park, so I'm guessing it would be best to avoid this place. He also seems to enjoy eating paper money (I guess, because he has so much? I think this is how Hammer lost all his money...), but luckily, he saves some to spend on "dranks".
Just bought a zone, jays on my feet
I'm on that patron, so get like me
69 cutlass, wit the bucket seats
Beat in my trunk, bought it just for the freaks
Here he tells us he just bought a zone, and has jays on his feet. Though it seems to be nonsense, it isn't. He is telling us he just bought an ounce of weed and has some sick MJs on his feet (Michael Jordan sneakers). Then, he proceeds to tell us he's drunk on Patron tequila and encourages us to join him in his Patron-drunkenness. Then, out of left field, Joc decides he has to boast about his '69 cutlass with bucket seats, out of which he plays a beat that he bought just for freaks. This either means he loves his car and has been bumping some CD he bought (so that the ladies will go after him), or that he is mentally unstable and just throwing random facts at us.
Catch me in the hood, posted at the sto
Pistol in my lap, on the phone, counting dough
If a girl choose, let her do her thang
Just like her mama, nice ass, nice brain
Er'body love me, I'm so fly
Niggaz throw the deuces er'time I ride by
I know ya wonder why
I'm so cool
Don't ask me just do what cha do (ok)
If you want to find Joc, he'll be in his hood, "posted at the store". Apprently semi-famous rappers have nothing better to do than stand in front of convenience stores touting guns, counting money, and probably getting robbed. The next set of inexplicable lines involves letting a girl dance if she wants to, especially if she has the nice assets of her mama. Of course, he naturally proceeds to self-boasts, including the mostly incomprehensible "N%$$@z throw the deuces everytime i drive by". I assume he means peace signs, but even he admits, the listener probably wonders why they do that. So he answers with 'I'm so cool' . All I can say is wow, TGFYJ. Thank god for Young Joc.
[Chorus: repeat 2X]
Meet me in the trap its going down
Meet me in the mall its going down
Meet me in the club its going down
Any where ya meet me guaranteed to go down
The chorus bursts with musical aptitude. Boasting an amazingly complex two lines, Joc's chorus simultaneously gives us a place to meet him (although, most people don't know what a trap is, which malls or clubs he is talking about, or what going down means) and a fact (that wherever he is, it's going down). In fact, Joc is referencing a place where a drug deal takes place when he says 'trap', and by 'going down', he most likely means, "stuff is happening". Anywhere you meet him, all kinds of things will be happening. Insightful and philosophical, indeed.
[verse 2]
Verse numba 2 do the damn thang
Cubes on my neck pockets full of ben frank
When I'm in the mall hoes just pause
I pop a few tags give me that on the wall
He reminds us that this is verse 2 (and subsequently, that we must now 'do the damn thang'). Then, incoherently, tells us he wears neck cubes (necklaces with big diamonds, maybe?) and has pockets full of Ben Frank. To those unaware, Ben Frank is most likely Ben Franklin, whose face is on the 100 dollar bill (although, it could be a guy from the block who owed Joc money, so now Joc carries his fingers or something). In other words, Joc is rich. At the mall 'hoes just pause", presumably because he can stop time with his mind. Then upon shooting a couple price tags, he demands "that" on the wall. No, just playing, Joc is buying new clothes (popping the tags off of the new clothes, get it?). He's a sly one, that Joc.
Time to flip the work make the block bump
Boys from the hood call me black Donald Trump
Dope Boy Magic seven days a week
Numba one record long as nitty on the beat
It's now time to turn work into profit for Joc (presumably work here means making music, but it could also mean making and selling drugs), and because of his ability to do so, Joc would like us to know his hood boys call him the black Donald Trump (although, I'm sure Jay-Z is a better black Donald Trump, at very least, he's richer than Joc). 7 days a week, Joc performs dope boy magic, presumably, this is the title for his opening act every time he opens for Penn and Teller. He also admits, he will only make number 1 records as long as Nitty produces (this has been proven true, without a doubt, and I'm happy he can admit it). Although this is (and probably will remain) his only popular song, ever.
Oh I think dey like me betta yet I know
Lights camera action when I walk through the door
Niggaz know my crew we certified stars
Valet in the front 'bout 35 cars
Bitches in the back
Black beamer coups
Girls like girls time to recruit
If ya got a problem say it to my face
We can knuckle up any time any place
Despite his uncertainty of whether or not people like him, he is certain they do. Actually this is a surprisingly good reference to another of rap's worst songs by some of its worst performers (the group Dem Franchize Boyz), whose song is titled "Oh I Think Dey Like Me". Joc finishes the verse with further boasting, claiming it's only action time when he walks in the room, his car has a valet in the front with 35 cars parked there (apparently, he likes to host endless parties), there are bitches in the back (of his house?), black beamers (are these not included in the 35 cars?), and he's recruiting lesbians (which I assume will be used for top secret recon missions to Young Jeezy's crib). He finishes the whole ridiculous charade with a threat that if you got something to say, say it to him, so he can beat the shit out of you.
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
Time to set it off let these nigga know
Have ya every seen a Chevy wit the butterfly doors?
Simultaneously, Joc lets us know it's time to set it off, so that people know (presumably, this means the fact that he has arrived) , and also, he asks us a question (which is unrelated and outright stupid). Neat, Joc, you have butterfly doors, the world is a better place...
I ride real slow, no need to speed
Gotta make sure, ya see the buckets on my feet
Feds on my trail, but they don't thank I know
I keep my hands clean, cuz I never touch dope
Really, Joc, you don't touch dope? What about that reference to buying a zone? Either you're a liar, or you have Alzheimer's, sir. And how is anyone gonna see the "buckets" on your feet if you're driving a car? And if you mean rims, like I assume you do, why refer to feet? They're tires, man!
Every time I see 'em look 'em in the eye
Ask 'em how I know its me surprise!
Put it in the air rep where ya stay
Take a step back blow the kush in they face
Stunting is a habit let 'em see the karats
I'ma make it rain nigga I ain't scared to share it
I'm done analyzing. This makes sense if you really read it, but it's not really say anything. At all.
[Chorus]
Luckily, the chorus doesn't change. Luckily.
[Outro]
Yung Joc...
Nitty strikes again
This a Nitty beat
Playmaker
So So Def motherfucker
And finally, Joc reminds us that he is in fact, so, so def. And in case there was any doubt, adds an emphatic "Motherfucker".
Analysis: One thing is clear form listening to "It's Goin Down": this masterpiece took Joc years of research and writing. And even though it is a pretty goofy song by a self-boasting rap star, with no prior hits, it turned into one of the bigger radio hits of whatever year it came out. Joc made a hit about how big he was, before he had gotten big. Impressive, indeed. And remember, if you see Young Joc, you know it's going down.
Young Joc's Moral: If you see Young Joc, best be prepared, because something crazy is going to be happening.
Real Meaning: Young Joc's life is as boring as yours, but he doesn't want you to know. However, by the time this song got popular, Young Joc was most likely living like he does in the song. Ironic. And this if also further proof that lyrics don't mean shit if you can make a catchy song. Well done Young Jeezy. Er, I meant young Joc...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
"Still D.R.E" by Dr. Dre...In case you were worried he was changing his name...
Now considered one of the best hip hop albums of all time (critically, and commercially), Dr. Dre's 1999 sophomore album '2001' made Dre's 7+ year old debut album, 1992's ''The Chronic' seem more dated than driving a Datsun. Among the hits on '2001', "Still D.R.E", was among the most popular, and the song happens to have one of the most recognizable melodies (especially the very beginning), of any hip hop song ever made...
Song # 3. "Still D.R.E." by Dr. Dre.
Dr. Dre - Still D.R.E (YouTube)
[Snoop]
Still Snoop Dogg and D-R-E (Guess who's back)
Still, still doing that shit, right?
The song begins with Snoop Dogg letting everyone know the OG'S (Original GangsterS) are back making music together, just like they did on 'The Chronic'.
[Dr. Dre]
Oh for sure, check me out
It's still Dre Day, A.K.
Before I chrome the lot, can't keep it home a lot
'cause when I frequent the spots that I'm known to rock
You hear the bass from the trunk when I'm on the block
Dre begins his verse referencing songs from his previous albums, and then reminding every one that he's still been bumpin' hip hop everywhere he goes, even though he hasn't been making it.
Ladies, they pay homage, but haters say Dre fell off
How, N###@? My last album was "The Chronic"
They want to know if he still got it
They say rap's changed, they want to know how I feel about it
Ladies still love Dre, after all he is a doctor...but 'haters' have been hating, mostly because Dre hasn't made an album in a while. To his haters, Dre points out that a lack of an album doesn't mean that he's fallen off (after all, his first album, 'The Chronic' was a massive success just as 2001 was), but rather, that he has been on a vacation of sorts.
[Snoop - singing]
If you ain't up on pace
Better catch up, says snoop...
[Dr. Dre]
Dr. Dre is the name, I'm ahead of my game
Still, puffing my leafs, still with the beats
Still not loving police (Uh huh)
Still rock my khakis with a cuff and a crease
Still got love for the streets, repping 213
Still the beat bangs, still doing my thang
Since I left, ain't too much changed, still
Dre drops a verse to shut up the critics. He says hes still making beats, still smoking weed, still hates police, hasn't changed his fashion style, still 'reps' the streets, and his hip hop still bumps. He then ends the verse with the poignantly true "since I left, ain't too much changed...", effectively shutting down potential haters by pointing out that he is still the same person who impressed hip hop lovers years ago, so there's no reason to believe his new stuff should be any different.
[Chorus:]
[Snoop Dogg]
I'm representing for them gangsters all across the world
Still hitting them corners in them low low's girl
[Dr. Dre]
Still
taking my time to perfect the beat
And I still got love for the streets,
it's the D-R-E [Repeat 2x]
The Chorus is standard catchy hip hop fare. It attempted to appeal to the mass audience who would eventually be dancing to Dre's banger. The rappers reiterate that they still are doing what they've always done...nothing has changed (for the worse, anyways).
Since the last time you heard from me I lost some friends
Well, hell, me and Snoop, we dipping again
Kept my ear to the streets, signed Eminem
He's triple platinum, doing 50 a week
Still, I stay close to the heat
Dre begins verse 2, letting us know that it's been long enough since he made a record that some of the people he loved have died (for instance Eazy E, who was Dre's NWA bandmate), but, he says, at least he's still rolling with Snoop Dogg. He also points out he's signed Eminem, and thus has been able to stay involved in the music game. He seems to drop this as a reminder that he hasn't been completely dormant.
And even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet
My life is like a soundtrack I wrote to the beat
Treat my rap like Cali weed, I smoke till I sleep
Wake up in the A.M., compose a beat
I bring the fire till you're soaking in your seat
He almost lost everything, but instead of letting it get to him, he wrote lyrics and made music. He then drops a DOPE metaphor, comparing his weed smoking to his music in the senset hat the only time he doesn't do either is when he is sleeping.
It's not a fluke, it's been tried, I'm the troop
It's "Turn Out the Lights" from the World Class Wreckin' Cru
I'm still at it, After-mathematic
In the home of drivebys and ak-matics
Swap meets, sticky green, and bad traffic
I dip through then I get skin, D-R-E
Dre continues by boasting that he doesn't believe himself to be a fluke, and in fact insinuates there is no possibility that he's a fluke. He drops his label name (Aftermath) in between lines about still living the Los Angeles area, where there's too much traffic, just enough weed, a few swap meets, lots of drive bys, and just enough D-R-E.
[Chorus]
It ain't nothing but more hot shit
Another classic CD for y'all to vibe with
Whether you're cooling on a corner with your fly bitch
Laid back in the shack, play this track
Just a reminder that he's still making the fire, and it should be bumped everywhere.
I'm representing for the gangsters all across the world
(Still hitting them corners in them low low's girl)
I'll break your neck, damn near put your face in your lap
Try to be the king but the ace is back
Dre continues by again reminding us that he is still a gangster, and still riding in low-riders. And he can still beat your ass. Then he reminds you, the listener, that there's no point in trying to top him, since he's back (using a clever metaphor, too).
[Snoop - singing]
So if you ain't up on thangs
But, SNOOP, he is!
[Dr. Dre]
Dr. Dre be the name still running the game
Still got it wrapped like a mummy
Still ain't tripping, love to see young blacks get money
Spend time out the hood, take they moms out the hood
Hit my boys off with jobs, no more living hard
Barbeques every day, driving fancy cars
Still gonna' get mine regardless
This verse is about his love for the game (of rap). He reminds the listener that he's still the king, and he likes to help his friends. And no matter what people say, Dre is going to keep doign whatever he wants to (which is true, as evidenced by his continously delayed third CD, Detox).
[Chorus x1.5]
[Snoop]
Like that, right back up in ya
'95 plus four pennies
Add that shit up, D-R-E right back on top of thangs
Smoke some with your dog
No stress, no seeds, no stems, no sticks!
Some of that real sticky icky
A little weed, put it in the air
For you's a fool D.R.
Snoop's verse concludes the song by poignantly asking the listener to smoke some good shit and remember how awesome Dre's music is.
Analysis: The song lyrically is so-so, there are some classic lines, but also some filler, however the beat is top notch. This song is one of the most recognizable songs in hip hop, and so you've got to give it to Dre. He made a song that wanted to say "I'm back, so think what you want, because I'm still going to do my own thing", and by becoming a commercial hit, the song reaffirmed his intentions tenfold.
Dre's Moral: Don't let people bring you down, most people make judgments they aren't qualified to make. Oh, and smoke weed.
Song # 3. "Still D.R.E." by Dr. Dre.
Dr. Dre - Still D.R.E (YouTube)
[Snoop]
Still Snoop Dogg and D-R-E (Guess who's back)
Still, still doing that shit, right?
The song begins with Snoop Dogg letting everyone know the OG'S (Original GangsterS) are back making music together, just like they did on 'The Chronic'.
[Dr. Dre]
Oh for sure, check me out
It's still Dre Day, A.K.
Before I chrome the lot, can't keep it home a lot
'cause when I frequent the spots that I'm known to rock
You hear the bass from the trunk when I'm on the block
Dre begins his verse referencing songs from his previous albums, and then reminding every one that he's still been bumpin' hip hop everywhere he goes, even though he hasn't been making it.
Ladies, they pay homage, but haters say Dre fell off
How, N###@? My last album was "The Chronic"
They want to know if he still got it
They say rap's changed, they want to know how I feel about it
Ladies still love Dre, after all he is a doctor...but 'haters' have been hating, mostly because Dre hasn't made an album in a while. To his haters, Dre points out that a lack of an album doesn't mean that he's fallen off (after all, his first album, 'The Chronic' was a massive success just as 2001 was), but rather, that he has been on a vacation of sorts.
[Snoop - singing]
If you ain't up on pace
Better catch up, says snoop...
[Dr. Dre]
Dr. Dre is the name, I'm ahead of my game
Still, puffing my leafs, still with the beats
Still not loving police (Uh huh)
Still rock my khakis with a cuff and a crease
Still got love for the streets, repping 213
Still the beat bangs, still doing my thang
Since I left, ain't too much changed, still
Dre drops a verse to shut up the critics. He says hes still making beats, still smoking weed, still hates police, hasn't changed his fashion style, still 'reps' the streets, and his hip hop still bumps. He then ends the verse with the poignantly true "since I left, ain't too much changed...", effectively shutting down potential haters by pointing out that he is still the same person who impressed hip hop lovers years ago, so there's no reason to believe his new stuff should be any different.
[Chorus:]
[Snoop Dogg]
I'm representing for them gangsters all across the world
Still hitting them corners in them low low's girl
[Dr. Dre]
Still
taking my time to perfect the beat
And I still got love for the streets,
it's the D-R-E [Repeat 2x]
The Chorus is standard catchy hip hop fare. It attempted to appeal to the mass audience who would eventually be dancing to Dre's banger. The rappers reiterate that they still are doing what they've always done...nothing has changed (for the worse, anyways).
Since the last time you heard from me I lost some friends
Well, hell, me and Snoop, we dipping again
Kept my ear to the streets, signed Eminem
He's triple platinum, doing 50 a week
Still, I stay close to the heat
Dre begins verse 2, letting us know that it's been long enough since he made a record that some of the people he loved have died (for instance Eazy E, who was Dre's NWA bandmate), but, he says, at least he's still rolling with Snoop Dogg. He also points out he's signed Eminem, and thus has been able to stay involved in the music game. He seems to drop this as a reminder that he hasn't been completely dormant.
And even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet
My life is like a soundtrack I wrote to the beat
Treat my rap like Cali weed, I smoke till I sleep
Wake up in the A.M., compose a beat
I bring the fire till you're soaking in your seat
He almost lost everything, but instead of letting it get to him, he wrote lyrics and made music. He then drops a DOPE metaphor, comparing his weed smoking to his music in the senset hat the only time he doesn't do either is when he is sleeping.
It's not a fluke, it's been tried, I'm the troop
It's "Turn Out the Lights" from the World Class Wreckin' Cru
I'm still at it, After-mathematic
In the home of drivebys and ak-matics
Swap meets, sticky green, and bad traffic
I dip through then I get skin, D-R-E
Dre continues by boasting that he doesn't believe himself to be a fluke, and in fact insinuates there is no possibility that he's a fluke. He drops his label name (Aftermath) in between lines about still living the Los Angeles area, where there's too much traffic, just enough weed, a few swap meets, lots of drive bys, and just enough D-R-E.
[Chorus]
It ain't nothing but more hot shit
Another classic CD for y'all to vibe with
Whether you're cooling on a corner with your fly bitch
Laid back in the shack, play this track
Just a reminder that he's still making the fire, and it should be bumped everywhere.
I'm representing for the gangsters all across the world
(Still hitting them corners in them low low's girl)
I'll break your neck, damn near put your face in your lap
Try to be the king but the ace is back
Dre continues by again reminding us that he is still a gangster, and still riding in low-riders. And he can still beat your ass. Then he reminds you, the listener, that there's no point in trying to top him, since he's back (using a clever metaphor, too).
[Snoop - singing]
So if you ain't up on thangs
But, SNOOP, he is!
[Dr. Dre]
Dr. Dre be the name still running the game
Still got it wrapped like a mummy
Still ain't tripping, love to see young blacks get money
Spend time out the hood, take they moms out the hood
Hit my boys off with jobs, no more living hard
Barbeques every day, driving fancy cars
Still gonna' get mine regardless
This verse is about his love for the game (of rap). He reminds the listener that he's still the king, and he likes to help his friends. And no matter what people say, Dre is going to keep doign whatever he wants to (which is true, as evidenced by his continously delayed third CD, Detox).
[Chorus x1.5]
[Snoop]
Like that, right back up in ya
'95 plus four pennies
Add that shit up, D-R-E right back on top of thangs
Smoke some with your dog
No stress, no seeds, no stems, no sticks!
Some of that real sticky icky
A little weed, put it in the air
For you's a fool D.R.
Snoop's verse concludes the song by poignantly asking the listener to smoke some good shit and remember how awesome Dre's music is.
Analysis: The song lyrically is so-so, there are some classic lines, but also some filler, however the beat is top notch. This song is one of the most recognizable songs in hip hop, and so you've got to give it to Dre. He made a song that wanted to say "I'm back, so think what you want, because I'm still going to do my own thing", and by becoming a commercial hit, the song reaffirmed his intentions tenfold.
Dre's Moral: Don't let people bring you down, most people make judgments they aren't qualified to make. Oh, and smoke weed.
"Kiss Me Thru the Phone" by Soulja Boy Tell Em...Does he know that this is impossible?
Our next contemporary hip hop "classic" to analyze is 2008's massively overplayed club hit, Soulja Boy's "Kiss Me Thru the Phone"...
Song #2. "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" by Soulja Boy
Soulja Boy - Kiss Me Thru the Phone (YouTube)
This song starts with the auto-tuned chorus, sung by some guy named Sammie...
[Chorus by Sammie]
Baby you know that I miss you
I wanna get with you
Tonight but I can not baby girl and that's the issue
Girl you know I miss you
I just wanna kiss you
But I can't right now
Sammie's furstration arises from being away from his "baby", and in this case one can only assume that 'baby' means his 'boo' or 'honey'. He just wants to be with her...but he's far away...so what's a guy to do? Phone sex? Almost...
So baby kiss me through the phone
Kiss me through the phone(I'll see ya later on later on)
Kiss me through the phone kiss me through the phone(see ya when I get home)
Ah, perfect solution...kiss me thru the god damned phone...because who hasn't kissed someone through the phone? Since the feat is physically impossible, let's assume Sammie means it metaphorically, and just move on.
[Verse 1: Soulja Boy]
Baby I know that u like me
Your my future wifey
Soulja boy starts the verse by reminding whatever girl he is singing to that she likes him, and she's going to marry him at some point. This might come as news to her, considering he has to remind her of this "truth"
Soulja boy tell em yeah
You can be my bonny
I can be your clyde
You can be my wife
Text me call me I need you in my life
OH. NO. HE. DIDN'T! Bonnie and Clyde reference...just straight steppin' it up, man! Also, note that he is allowing her to marry him, if she would like, but really he would just like to be contacted by this girl. [Side thought: is he stalking someone?]
Ya all day everyday I need ya
And every time I see ya my feelings get deeper
I miss ya I miss ya I really wanna kiss ya but I can't
He misses this girl...so much so, that the feeling gets deeper every single day they're apart. So original. So Poetic. He even points out that he misses her...twice. That's more than most people!
[Sammie:]
678 triple 9 8212
One can only assume this is Soulja Boy's cell phone number (or perhaps, was). Call him immediately and ask for Rico. Just do it.
[Chorus:]
[Verse 2: Soulja Boy] (WAIT, there's a second verse?)
Baby I've been thinking lately
So much about you
Everything about you
I like it I love it
Kissing you in public
He nonchalantly admits that he thinks "so much" about this girl and "everything about" her, leaving one in amazement of his verbal skills. Also, note that he likes it AND loves it. Whatever IT is, it must be special.
Oh, IT must be 'kissing you in public'. Makes sense now...especially since kissing you in public is the penultimate form of consummating a relationship. Once you've kissed in public, there's no turning back...
Thinking nothing of it
Roses by the dozens
Talking on the phone
Baby your so sexy
Your voice is so lovely
I love your complexion
I miss ya [x3]
I really wanna kiss ya but I can't
He begins with lines of passion, explaining that kisses and roses are nothing to him, since he loves this girl so much. He continues (without really rhyming) by explaining all the girl's traits. This is useful since they are vague compliments (voice is sexy, good complexion) and can be applied to any girl, so that some random girls might think this song is about them. Then, he reiterates the impossibility of kissing this girl (if he really wants to be with her, why is he so far away? tour? promotion? just catch a plane home, or have her fly to you? why can't you kiss her Soulja? WHY?)
[Sammie]
678 triple 9 8212
[Chorus:]
[Soulja Boy:]
She call my phone like (da)[x20]
We on the phone like (da)[x20]
We taking pics like (da)[x20]
She dial my numba like (da)[x20]
The most important part of the song, the never-ending bridge, shows his dedication to the girl through exhaustive repetition. Soulja Boy Tell EM!
[Sammie]
6 7 8 triple 9 8 2 1 2
[Chorus:]
The song concludes with the stunningly laid down, overly repeated chorus. All in all, this song is a winner.
Analysis: Soulja Boy doesn't do lyrics very well, however he does do popularity well. This song is popular, probably because of three things. The first reason is that the chorus uses auto tune, the second reason is the catchiness (despite it's stupidity, the chorus is remarkably catchy), and the third reason is that girls love songs where guys say they NEED them.
Soulja Boy's Moral: If you can't be with the girl you love right now, just do you best to make her feel special.
Real Moral of the Song: If you can make a catchy tune, the lyrics don't mean shit.
Song #2. "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" by Soulja Boy
Soulja Boy - Kiss Me Thru the Phone (YouTube)
This song starts with the auto-tuned chorus, sung by some guy named Sammie...
[Chorus by Sammie]
Baby you know that I miss you
I wanna get with you
Tonight but I can not baby girl and that's the issue
Girl you know I miss you
I just wanna kiss you
But I can't right now
Sammie's furstration arises from being away from his "baby", and in this case one can only assume that 'baby' means his 'boo' or 'honey'. He just wants to be with her...but he's far away...so what's a guy to do? Phone sex? Almost...
So baby kiss me through the phone
Kiss me through the phone(I'll see ya later on later on)
Kiss me through the phone kiss me through the phone(see ya when I get home)
Ah, perfect solution...kiss me thru the god damned phone...because who hasn't kissed someone through the phone? Since the feat is physically impossible, let's assume Sammie means it metaphorically, and just move on.
[Verse 1: Soulja Boy]
Baby I know that u like me
Your my future wifey
Soulja boy starts the verse by reminding whatever girl he is singing to that she likes him, and she's going to marry him at some point. This might come as news to her, considering he has to remind her of this "truth"
Soulja boy tell em yeah
You can be my bonny
I can be your clyde
You can be my wife
Text me call me I need you in my life
OH. NO. HE. DIDN'T! Bonnie and Clyde reference...just straight steppin' it up, man! Also, note that he is allowing her to marry him, if she would like, but really he would just like to be contacted by this girl. [Side thought: is he stalking someone?]
Ya all day everyday I need ya
And every time I see ya my feelings get deeper
I miss ya I miss ya I really wanna kiss ya but I can't
He misses this girl...so much so, that the feeling gets deeper every single day they're apart. So original. So Poetic. He even points out that he misses her...twice. That's more than most people!
[Sammie:]
678 triple 9 8212
One can only assume this is Soulja Boy's cell phone number (or perhaps, was). Call him immediately and ask for Rico. Just do it.
[Chorus:]
[Verse 2: Soulja Boy] (WAIT, there's a second verse?)
Baby I've been thinking lately
So much about you
Everything about you
I like it I love it
Kissing you in public
He nonchalantly admits that he thinks "so much" about this girl and "everything about" her, leaving one in amazement of his verbal skills. Also, note that he likes it AND loves it. Whatever IT is, it must be special.
Oh, IT must be 'kissing you in public'. Makes sense now...especially since kissing you in public is the penultimate form of consummating a relationship. Once you've kissed in public, there's no turning back...
Thinking nothing of it
Roses by the dozens
Talking on the phone
Baby your so sexy
Your voice is so lovely
I love your complexion
I miss ya [x3]
I really wanna kiss ya but I can't
He begins with lines of passion, explaining that kisses and roses are nothing to him, since he loves this girl so much. He continues (without really rhyming) by explaining all the girl's traits. This is useful since they are vague compliments (voice is sexy, good complexion) and can be applied to any girl, so that some random girls might think this song is about them. Then, he reiterates the impossibility of kissing this girl (if he really wants to be with her, why is he so far away? tour? promotion? just catch a plane home, or have her fly to you? why can't you kiss her Soulja? WHY?)
[Sammie]
678 triple 9 8212
[Chorus:]
[Soulja Boy:]
She call my phone like (da)[x20]
We on the phone like (da)[x20]
We taking pics like (da)[x20]
She dial my numba like (da)[x20]
The most important part of the song, the never-ending bridge, shows his dedication to the girl through exhaustive repetition. Soulja Boy Tell EM!
[Sammie]
6 7 8 triple 9 8 2 1 2
[Chorus:]
The song concludes with the stunningly laid down, overly repeated chorus. All in all, this song is a winner.
Analysis: Soulja Boy doesn't do lyrics very well, however he does do popularity well. This song is popular, probably because of three things. The first reason is that the chorus uses auto tune, the second reason is the catchiness (despite it's stupidity, the chorus is remarkably catchy), and the third reason is that girls love songs where guys say they NEED them.
Soulja Boy's Moral: If you can't be with the girl you love right now, just do you best to make her feel special.
Real Moral of the Song: If you can make a catchy tune, the lyrics don't mean shit.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
'Dear Mama' by Tupac Shakur...can you guess what it's about?
I'll give you a hint, it's not about his father...
Song #1. "Dear Mama" by Tupac Shakur (whose mother is Afeni Shakur)
2 Pac- Dear Mama (YouTube)
When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Tupac begins his rhyme reminiscing about the troubles he had with his mom growing up, but still admires her...
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
Tupac and his siter were upset at their economic status and blamed their Mom for not being able to provide better...
I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
Tupac rebelled, and his mom was always there to tell him he should know better...
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
Pretty self-explanatory, but this is a revelation for Tupac...he realizes a single mom raising a man is exponentially difficult!
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
Before the chorus, Tupac lets his sentiment be known...he loves his mom and despite the past, wouldn't want any other mom in the world. Most people should be able to relate to this...after all, who hasn't argued with their mom and then later realized how much she has done for you?
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
No explanation needed for the chorus...hell most idiots even understand the whole song...
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
His dad died, but he never knew his dad, so why would he care?
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
With no father around, he looked to older thugs as role models. Street disciples who could show him a manly way of living.
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due
He doesn't feel bad about his choices because he was getting the money he needed to survive.
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
His mom was always there, working with what she had. He feels bad that he can't thank her more for being his savior (other than a diamond necklace, that is).
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
He comes to terms with the fact that he can't repay the debt he owes her, but acknoweledging how much he owes her is a start.
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminisce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
Whose mother can't put them back in focus? Those without moms can never relate to this song other than the shared fact that we were ALL born from a mother (regardless of if she is alive), and we owe our mothers a lot. He's basically saying his mom is the one who would make him feel worthwhile when he was down.
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
We die alone and we usually act alone, but we wouldn't even have those opportunities without our mamas.
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
He sincerely doesn't know how to thank his mom for bringing him life and trying to raise him right.
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
His mother must be in some sort of pain, and it hurts Tupac to see. He'd like his mom to keep fighting, just like she always has...as he thanks her one more time...
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
ANALYSIS: What makes this different than my normal song selections is that it is a fairly straight forward song, but it is one of my favorites. It's a great piece of poetry that anyone with a heart can relate to, emphasizing love for the women who have to raise children (especially on their own).
MORAL/MEANING OF SONG: Respect your mom...without her hard work you wouldn't even exist...
Song #1. "Dear Mama" by Tupac Shakur (whose mother is Afeni Shakur)
2 Pac- Dear Mama (YouTube)
When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place
Tupac begins his rhyme reminiscing about the troubles he had with his mom growing up, but still admires her...
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
Tupac and his siter were upset at their economic status and blamed their Mom for not being able to provide better...
I reminisce on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
Tupac rebelled, and his mom was always there to tell him he should know better...
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
Pretty self-explanatory, but this is a revelation for Tupac...he realizes a single mom raising a man is exponentially difficult!
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
Before the chorus, Tupac lets his sentiment be known...he loves his mom and despite the past, wouldn't want any other mom in the world. Most people should be able to relate to this...after all, who hasn't argued with their mom and then later realized how much she has done for you?
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
No explanation needed for the chorus...hell most idiots even understand the whole song...
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair
No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger
His dad died, but he never knew his dad, so why would he care?
They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone
I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
With no father around, he looked to older thugs as role models. Street disciples who could show him a manly way of living.
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due
He doesn't feel bad about his choices because he was getting the money he needed to survive.
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
His mom was always there, working with what she had. He feels bad that he can't thank her more for being his savior (other than a diamond necklace, that is).
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
He comes to terms with the fact that he can't repay the debt he owes her, but acknoweledging how much he owes her is a start.
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminisce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
Whose mother can't put them back in focus? Those without moms can never relate to this song other than the shared fact that we were ALL born from a mother (regardless of if she is alive), and we owe our mothers a lot. He's basically saying his mom is the one who would make him feel worthwhile when he was down.
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
We die alone and we usually act alone, but we wouldn't even have those opportunities without our mamas.
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
He sincerely doesn't know how to thank his mom for bringing him life and trying to raise him right.
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
His mother must be in some sort of pain, and it hurts Tupac to see. He'd like his mom to keep fighting, just like she always has...as he thanks her one more time...
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
ANALYSIS: What makes this different than my normal song selections is that it is a fairly straight forward song, but it is one of my favorites. It's a great piece of poetry that anyone with a heart can relate to, emphasizing love for the women who have to raise children (especially on their own).
MORAL/MEANING OF SONG: Respect your mom...without her hard work you wouldn't even exist...
You HEARD...but you didn't LISTEN!
This is strictly a hip hop blog for all you listeners who prefer to hear and not listen. In other words, the type of fool who could tell you which song is being played, based on its beat/sound, but if you ask that same fool what the song means, they won't know shit. This is a blog for lyrical analysis, both serious and comedic, of hip hop. From hip hop's greatest gems to its biggest misses, I'll show you what the rappers meant when they were spittin their rhymes.
This blog was loosely inspired by a comedic analysis of Warren G's "Regulators" written by Sean Keane, which can be found here:
http://zembla.cementhorizon.com/archives/000656.html
I have true passion for hip hop, and I'm sick of radio's garbage (who listens to the radio anymore, anyways?). I want to show the masses what they're really missing (or what they're wasting their time on, in some cases).
This blog was loosely inspired by a comedic analysis of Warren G's "Regulators" written by Sean Keane, which can be found here:
http://zembla.cementhorizon.com/archives/000656.html
I have true passion for hip hop, and I'm sick of radio's garbage (who listens to the radio anymore, anyways?). I want to show the masses what they're really missing (or what they're wasting their time on, in some cases).
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