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.
[Pilot over PA]
"Folks I know you're all dying to know how long--
I cannot answer that now. We're gonna have to remain as technicians come over
and take a look at it and uh once that's done, then we'll give you an estimate
I'd say it's probably at least uh 15 minutes or so."
[Verse 1]
It's like all of Franklin Avenue now sleeps upon my chest--my chest
I've used cigarette butts and loose leaves to build my nest--build my nest
Did I mention I appreciate the way you treat your guests?--guess not
But I'm not really convinced when you say that you're impressed--hell no
The line between MC and comedian gets a little thinner--little thinner
Now it's nothing but ruffage for lunch and punchlines for dinner--feed me
I've tried to open the blinds to let in some sunshine
Wound the watch 'til it broke all in hopes of stopping the time
[Chorus]
The key broke off in the ignition
Hoping if I wandered off through my thoughts wishing
Hoping this could be for you but it is for me patiently I stay busy, I wait, I see [X2]
It's the sure shot [X6]
[Verse 2]
See it's simple--simple, it's not that I want to make it ripple--ripple
But I feel I'm only being civil--civil
When I sit back and giggle like the rest it's the ritalin-a-fest!
I'm stressed--stressed, but most of 'em would never guess--never guess
That I'm closing in upon the dredge
Why? Cause I think it'd be best for the who? To hide the mess from who?
It's all true--it's all true not good but I know it'll do--it'll do
Still trying to reach the kid in you
So I may continue to find why this childproof's so wild
I smile--smile, tired, I walked a thousand miles--miles
wired over the thoughts I've dialed--dialed
Inspired by the monsters, the files of life full of stars and stripes
[Chorus]
[Chorus End]
If you wanna sit with me and talk about existance
We'll need more than 15 minutes
I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame
Push pause on the game and get to know each other by our real names
If you wanna sit with me and talk about existance
We'll need more than 15 minutes
I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame
Push pause on the game and get to know each other by our first names
If you wanna sit with me and talk about existance
We'll need more than 15 minutes
I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame
Push pause on the game...What the fuck's your name?
"Folks I know you're all dying to know how long--
I cannot answer that now. We're gonna have to remain as technicians come over
and take a look at it and uh once that's done, then we'll give you an estimate
I'd say it's probably at least uh 15 minutes or so."
[Verse 1]
It's like all of Franklin Avenue now sleeps upon my chest--my chest
I've used cigarette butts and loose leaves to build my nest--build my nest
Did I mention I appreciate the way you treat your guests?--guess not
But I'm not really convinced when you say that you're impressed--hell no
The line between MC and comedian gets a little thinner--little thinner
Now it's nothing but ruffage for lunch and punchlines for dinner--feed me
I've tried to open the blinds to let in some sunshine
Wound the watch 'til it broke all in hopes of stopping the time
[Chorus]
The key broke off in the ignition
Hoping if I wandered off through my thoughts wishing
Hoping this could be for you but it is for me patiently I stay busy, I wait, I see [X2]
It's the sure shot [X6]
[Verse 2]
See it's simple--simple, it's not that I want to make it ripple--ripple
But I feel I'm only being civil--civil
When I sit back and giggle like the rest it's the ritalin-a-fest!
I'm stressed--stressed, but most of 'em would never guess--never guess
That I'm closing in upon the dredge
Why? Cause I think it'd be best for the who? To hide the mess from who?
It's all true--it's all true not good but I know it'll do--it'll do
Still trying to reach the kid in you
So I may continue to find why this childproof's so wild
I smile--smile, tired, I walked a thousand miles--miles
wired over the thoughts I've dialed--dialed
Inspired by the monsters, the files of life full of stars and stripes
[Chorus]
[Chorus End]
If you wanna sit with me and talk about existance
We'll need more than 15 minutes
I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame
Push pause on the game and get to know each other by our real names
If you wanna sit with me and talk about existance
We'll need more than 15 minutes
I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame
Push pause on the game and get to know each other by our first names
If you wanna sit with me and talk about existance
We'll need more than 15 minutes
I'll tell you what let's forget about the fame
Push pause on the game...What the fuck's your name?
Lyrics submitted by Chip Spitz
The Keys To Life vs. 15 Minutes Of Fame Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © ANT TURN THAT SNARE DOWN
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I think that this song is about being on drugs. as there is a few mentions to drugs/ being high:-
"The ritalin-a-fest" - Ritalin is a well known pain killer and that makes you high.
"I've used cigarette butts and loose leaves to build my nest" - his nest perhaps referring to a spliff, as tobacco (cigarette butts and loose leaf) is used in a spliff)
"I wandered off through my thoughts", "Inspired by the monsters" - the feeling of being high/ maybe hallucinations.
Christ, this is the most i have ever read into a song...