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.
I dig rock and roll music
And I love to get the chance to play (and sing it)
I figure it's about the happiest sound going down today
The message may not move me
Or mean a great deal to me
But hey, it feels so groovy to say:
I dig the Mamas and the Papas at "The Trip"
Sunset Strip in L.A.
And they got a good thing going
When the words don't get in the way
And when they're really wailing
Michelle and Cass are sailing
Hey, they really nail me to the wall!
I dig Donovan in a dream-like, tripped out way
His crystal images tell you about a brighter day
And when the Beatles tell you
They've got a word "love" to sell you
They mean exactly what they say
I dig rock and roll music
I could really get it on in that scene
I think I could say something if you know what I mean
But if I really say it, the radio won't play it
Unless I lay it between the lines!
And I love to get the chance to play (and sing it)
I figure it's about the happiest sound going down today
The message may not move me
Or mean a great deal to me
But hey, it feels so groovy to say:
I dig the Mamas and the Papas at "The Trip"
Sunset Strip in L.A.
And they got a good thing going
When the words don't get in the way
And when they're really wailing
Michelle and Cass are sailing
Hey, they really nail me to the wall!
I dig Donovan in a dream-like, tripped out way
His crystal images tell you about a brighter day
And when the Beatles tell you
They've got a word "love" to sell you
They mean exactly what they say
I dig rock and roll music
I could really get it on in that scene
I think I could say something if you know what I mean
But if I really say it, the radio won't play it
Unless I lay it between the lines!
Lyrics submitted by pieligero
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Only one comment? Wow.
This song is about the music of an era that they saw as meaningless. They just say it between the lines, as is hinted in the last part. One day I paid full attention to the whole song which I previously thought was a tribute to some great music then I realized it was a thumb of the nose to it with a clever disguise. So even though I love the music they're talking about, I still love this song and how clever it is.
@theprynce I agree. But I'm also wondering about the reference to "wailing" in the lyricss. I recall the Kingston Trio in the song "Greenback Dollar" singing "A wailing songand a good guitar, The only things that I understand." What is the definition of a "wailing song? Anybody know?