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.
Hey listen people, I'd like to say
A million minds have a choice but
They choose to walk this way
So when it's time to
Make your decisions true
Remember who it is you're fighting for it's you
No one can tell you how you should feel inside
What's right from wrong is a choice
You make up in your own mind
Think you should, well you got time
No matter what the case may be
You can demand
You can demand what you want and take it you can
Command all the rules and take them you can demand
And when the times
Your wasted to do more
Just keep you head out of the clouds
And keep your feet on the floor
And when you think that at times
It's tough to do
Remember who it is you're
Looking out for you
Don't let them trick you with fancy words
As long as you're able to see through the lines
You'll be just fine
Think you should hurry well you got time
No matter what the cause may be you can demand
You can demand what you need and I'll tell you
If you can't understand this way of life
Your way of living how you don't like won't
Suffice, look at all the things you have
Then decide it's your life and realize
You can demand
A million minds have a choice but
They choose to walk this way
So when it's time to
Make your decisions true
Remember who it is you're fighting for it's you
No one can tell you how you should feel inside
What's right from wrong is a choice
You make up in your own mind
Think you should, well you got time
No matter what the case may be
You can demand
You can demand what you want and take it you can
Command all the rules and take them you can demand
And when the times
Your wasted to do more
Just keep you head out of the clouds
And keep your feet on the floor
And when you think that at times
It's tough to do
Remember who it is you're
Looking out for you
Don't let them trick you with fancy words
As long as you're able to see through the lines
You'll be just fine
Think you should hurry well you got time
No matter what the cause may be you can demand
You can demand what you need and I'll tell you
If you can't understand this way of life
Your way of living how you don't like won't
Suffice, look at all the things you have
Then decide it's your life and realize
You can demand
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
You Can Demand Lyrics as written by Fletcher Douglas Dragge Byron C. Mcmackin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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One of the best on Unknown Road, although there's very few filler/weak songs on it, maybe except Time To Burn, it's all grade A stuff with a great message and music from Thirsk (niotice how many more guitar solos there were then ? also how the bass was mixed in more in your face so you wouldn't miss a sweet lick ? After Full Circle things weren't the same. Still alright though, but not albums where every tracks stand out after FC.