This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
How in the world will I make it to work
In the morning?
I've been drinking since we clocked out
And now it's four a.m.
But they're such a generous couple
Alfredo and Pauline
When they offer a late night session,
You don't want to offend.
The shutters come down
And that's what they're for
We don't want to invite in the law
It's not often the case that we're forced
To sacrifice the jukebox.
But the plug always has to be pulled
On the quiz machine
So you imbibe all you can
Cause you're partaking in something forbidden
And time after time you'll wake up
Face down in the latrine.
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
I don't remember a thing,
I don't remember, remember a thing
Lord only knows what kind of poison I'm drinking
I can't read the label
So I'll just dance off my cares like Fred Astaire
Up here on the table
The shutters come down
And that's what they're for
We don't want to invite in the law
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight!!
In the morning?
I've been drinking since we clocked out
And now it's four a.m.
But they're such a generous couple
Alfredo and Pauline
When they offer a late night session,
You don't want to offend.
The shutters come down
And that's what they're for
We don't want to invite in the law
It's not often the case that we're forced
To sacrifice the jukebox.
But the plug always has to be pulled
On the quiz machine
So you imbibe all you can
Cause you're partaking in something forbidden
And time after time you'll wake up
Face down in the latrine.
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
Where am I now?
I don't remember a thing,
I don't remember, remember a thing
Lord only knows what kind of poison I'm drinking
I can't read the label
So I'll just dance off my cares like Fred Astaire
Up here on the table
The shutters come down
And that's what they're for
We don't want to invite in the law
We speak in hushed tones
And dim down the lights
We're staying after hours tonight!!
Lyrics submitted by carpet_of_doom
After Hours Lyrics as written by Ronny Jordan
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Wooo-hoo!!!! I love The Bluetones. They have to be the most under-rated performing artists EVER. I love the video to this.. its just too cutesque'
I love them too :) I've always thought this song belongs in a music for some reson :/. A good tune - not one of their best though - yet I love pretty much all of their stuff!
Oh btw - i meant 'musical' - realised a year on hehe!!
Lord knows why but this song reminds me of the end of high school.
And time after time you'll wake up face down in the la train.
I do believe it's latrine. As in toliet. As in you are puking your guts up from drinking too much the night before.
Surely its:
"But they're such a generous couple, ALFREDO and Pauline..."
Plus: "You IMBIBE all you can" - it means drink! Invibe is not a word.
The lyrics are written in the insert for the album, how hard can it be?