So What'cha Want?

Beastie Boys

(To Mario C, you can't front on that)

Well, just plug me in just like I was Eddie Harris
You're eating crazy cheese like you would think I'm from Paris
You know I get fly, you think I get high
You know that I'm gone and I'm-a tell you all why

So tell me who are you dissing, maybe I'm missing
The reason that you're smilin' or wildin', so listen
In my head, I just want to take 'em down
Imagination set loose and I'm gonna shake 'em down

Let it flow like a mud-slide
When I get on, I like to ride and glide
I've got depth of perception in my text, y'all
I get props at my mention cause I vex, y'all

So, so what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I get so funny with my money that you flaunt
I said, "Where'd you get your information from" huh?
You think that you can front when revelation comes?
(Yeah, you can't front on that)

Well they call me Mike D, the ever-loving man
I'm like Spoonie Gee, well I'm the metropolitician (yeah-yeah-yeah)
You scream and you holler 'bout my Chevy Impala
But the sweat is getting wet around the ring around your collar

But like a dream I'm flowing without no stopping
Sweeter than a cherry pie with Reddi-wip topping
From mic to mic, kickin' it wall to wall
Well, I'll be calling out to people like a casting call

Ah, well, it's wack when you're jacked in the back of my ride
With your know, with your flow, when you're out getting by
Believe me, what you see is what you get
And you see me, I'm comin' off as you can bet

Well I think I'm losing my mind, this time
This time I'm losing my mind, that's right
Said I think I'm losing my mind, this time
This time, I'm losing my mind

(Yeah, you can't front on that)

But little do you know about something that I talk about
I'm tired of driving, it's due time that I walkabout
But in the meantime, I'm wise to the demise
I've got eyes in the back of my head so I realize

Well, I'm Dr. Spock, I'm here to rock, y'all
I want you off the wall, if you're playing the wall
I said what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I said what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)

Y'all suckers write me checks and then they bounce
So I reach into my pocket for the fresh amount
See, I'm the long-leaner, Vincent the Cleaner
I'm the illest motherfucker from here to Gardena

Well, I'm as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce
You've got the rhyme and reason, but got no cause
But if you're hot to trot, you think you're slicker than grease
I've got news for you crews, you'll be sucking like a leech

(Yeah, you can't front on that)

So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I said, what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I said, what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)


Lyrics submitted by The Marine

So What'cha Want Lyrics as written by Adam Nathaniel Yauch Adam Horovitz

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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So What'cha Want? song meanings
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21 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment
    Haha, 10 comments and not one of you try to explain the meaning, come on guys! I think the Beasties are just telling us a little about them self as well as insulting somebody who fronts a lot, in a free style sort of way.
    ICantUnderStandYouon October 23, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    so... does anybody know what the fucking song means?
    [lowlife]on September 18, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    Every generation has memes, themes, and feelings that get presented by the art of the time. I think this song has a similar meme to the RHC's "Give it Away." It's all in the chorus: So what'cha what'cha what'cha want what'cha want I get so funny with the money that you flaunt I said where'd you get your information from huh? You think that you can front when revelation comes Yeah, you can't front on that. All the beauty and deep love and the creative force that flows through them and their heroes (which they have reason to celebrate) stands in stark contrast to something like base greed. When realized, this revelation shouldn't be postponed (DJAdjective is right about "fronting"- it's to get/provide something without immediately payment). So watcha want? The deepest meaning in this song IMO is to pay attention to what it is that is *actually important* and to seize the day. The Beasties got it, know it, and can help provide it.
    Gatogreenon August 24, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Best Beastie boys song! Hands down.
    monster36604on January 07, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Just a freestyle rap, no real deep "meaning" so here's some explanation of the references: -Eddie Harris: jazz musician, introduced the electric tenor sax ("plug me in") -Spoonie Gee: one of the first rap artists on vinyl ('79) -Dr. Spock: child psychologist and author -Victor the Cleaner: Jean Reno's character from La Femme Nikita -Gardena: a city in the "South Bay" of Los Angeles
    JimmyJazz68on July 20, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I think this song has a LOT of meaning...it's about how sometimes EVERYBODY goes insane for a while...and it's about enjoying that craziness and giving a shit about what people around you think and just flowing...ah and probably they're on lsd or other drug
    simonhoyoson September 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Beastie boys are just amazing, this is definetly one of their greatest songs..ahh,so many memories..great,great band. So what'cha want?
    Hanttaon June 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I must agree they rocked....
    lpfan_01on September 28, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    yeah...this song is without a doubt among their best, its nice to see how their music evolved since lisence to ill. Check your head is probably my favorite album but theyre all amazing.
    random311on April 18, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    isint this like, the most popular song the beastie boys did, apart from check it out?
    dementiaon November 29, 2004   Link

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