The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Yo, check it out
I want you to pay attention to this
Know what I'm saying, listen up, alright?
You bust lead? So do I, except mine impregnates the page
Giving birth to thoughts that unify
You fuck little girls, I make love to women
My words uplift, yours are poisonous like venom
I'm an emcee, you're a rapper
I'm as real as they come
While half the guys you idolize are just actors
You run from commitment, I remain loyal
You call women bitches
I call them queens because they're royal
You make rap songs, I make soul music
When God speaks through rhythm, will you go to it
Yo I save my cash; yours, you blow through it
I say your child's special, you say he's so stupid
I'm pouring my heart out in everything written
You're scared you'll look soft, heart remains hidden
Yo on touchy subjects nerves I stay hittin'
But I ain't better than you, I just think different
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
My fam run things, while you run your jewelry
My people pop lock, you tough guys pop toolies
You rock gems, I drop gems
You Xerox copying while I originate material to stimulate
Positive thought patterns when the chosen start gathering
We bar none
Yo I got jokes, you are one
I'm out doing it while you talk about it
I'm constantly in the mix while you walk around it
You try, I do
I'm wise, you're clueless
I get the job done, you fail and make excuses
I'm a gentleman, your behavior's abusive
I'm patient, you're jumping the gun, false start
You're caught up in dress codes, I'll shop at Wal-Mart
Sucker, I'm all heart and you're half-hearted
You suckas are vandals, we graf artist
Thought you had the last laugh but we laugh hardest
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
You fall in love with body parts, I connect mentally
With my female counterpart before we bond physically
Cats I chill with rap about revolution
While you rap about drug abuse and distribution
You wanna be like Mike, yo I wanna be me
My queen's hard to obtain while yours is easy
We both from Maryland but be reppin' D.C.
We all front sometimes, that's how emcees be
My word is bond and yours is worthless
You're mainstream, I'm beneath the surface
I stay working hard while you're hardly workin'
All you want is money and your dick sucked, are you certain?
I want a better world for our seeds to live in
I put faith in myself, not the system
Yo, we trying to travel so why you making pit stops?
You cats is rap and I'm hip-hop
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
I want you to pay attention to this
Know what I'm saying, listen up, alright?
You bust lead? So do I, except mine impregnates the page
Giving birth to thoughts that unify
You fuck little girls, I make love to women
My words uplift, yours are poisonous like venom
I'm an emcee, you're a rapper
I'm as real as they come
While half the guys you idolize are just actors
You run from commitment, I remain loyal
You call women bitches
I call them queens because they're royal
You make rap songs, I make soul music
When God speaks through rhythm, will you go to it
Yo I save my cash; yours, you blow through it
I say your child's special, you say he's so stupid
I'm pouring my heart out in everything written
You're scared you'll look soft, heart remains hidden
Yo on touchy subjects nerves I stay hittin'
But I ain't better than you, I just think different
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
My fam run things, while you run your jewelry
My people pop lock, you tough guys pop toolies
You rock gems, I drop gems
You Xerox copying while I originate material to stimulate
Positive thought patterns when the chosen start gathering
We bar none
Yo I got jokes, you are one
I'm out doing it while you talk about it
I'm constantly in the mix while you walk around it
You try, I do
I'm wise, you're clueless
I get the job done, you fail and make excuses
I'm a gentleman, your behavior's abusive
I'm patient, you're jumping the gun, false start
You're caught up in dress codes, I'll shop at Wal-Mart
Sucker, I'm all heart and you're half-hearted
You suckas are vandals, we graf artist
Thought you had the last laugh but we laugh hardest
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
You fall in love with body parts, I connect mentally
With my female counterpart before we bond physically
Cats I chill with rap about revolution
While you rap about drug abuse and distribution
You wanna be like Mike, yo I wanna be me
My queen's hard to obtain while yours is easy
We both from Maryland but be reppin' D.C.
We all front sometimes, that's how emcees be
My word is bond and yours is worthless
You're mainstream, I'm beneath the surface
I stay working hard while you're hardly workin'
All you want is money and your dick sucked, are you certain?
I want a better world for our seeds to live in
I put faith in myself, not the system
Yo, we trying to travel so why you making pit stops?
You cats is rap and I'm hip-hop
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
Lyrics submitted by Dragon19
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Great version of a great song,
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I have been listening to Nujabes for 15 minutes or so after my bro left it on my laptop. I am sooo impressed by this guy's work. The lyrics to this song are fantastic and wise. This is the reason I love rap/hip hop music, and defend it when people tell me they think it's shitty.
Great insightful song. Everything I hear by this guy is great so far... It's rare to find music this smart and catchy.