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.
Can't figure you out or what you're all about
Turning me inside out, I don't know how you think
Too much to drink? can't find the missing link
To why you are just the way you are
Always on the attack, always take it too far
I can't ride this roller coaster ride no more
The ups and downs have become a bore
Can't figure you out, can't figure you out
Just the other day we talked and it was ok
But now you're back to your old ways
The cycle of pain, the downward spiral
Gasping for air all the while
The cycle of pain, the downward spiral
Gasping for air all the while
Day after day I try to figure you out
And what you're all about
Can't figure you out or what you're all about
Turning me inside out
Turning me inside out, I don't know how you think
Too much to drink? can't find the missing link
To why you are just the way you are
Always on the attack, always take it too far
I can't ride this roller coaster ride no more
The ups and downs have become a bore
Can't figure you out, can't figure you out
Just the other day we talked and it was ok
But now you're back to your old ways
The cycle of pain, the downward spiral
Gasping for air all the while
The cycle of pain, the downward spiral
Gasping for air all the while
Day after day I try to figure you out
And what you're all about
Can't figure you out or what you're all about
Turning me inside out
Lyrics submitted by Will.i.am
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