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.
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
Yeah
What the deal playboy, just rest your soul
I be holding it down, yo, still love the dough
Got these ladies on the cock now, you know how we go
Got the whole world on lock down, you know how we flow
Don't worry about Brooklyn, I continue to flame
Therefore a world with amnesia won't forget your name
You held it down long enough, let me take those reigns
And just like your spirit the commission remains
Niggas can cross the T's and, dots the I's
Now that I got too popular to cop them pies
I'm taking this rap shit serious, to my demise
Jay shit's like cake mix, watch me rise
Basics in the basement, wasted
Asking my dog for advice and when he can't say shit
My hatred is fueled just give me a sign
And I let the world know that the city is mine, what?
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
Y'all want to know how I flow just seek and you find
I'm like a brain in the voice box, I speak my mind
About to redefine rap mami, either I'm
The illest nigga doing it, or these niggas is losing it
I read a article that said I was ruining shit
But every time I look, I'm moving units in quick
So I'ma hit y'all, with these last two and split
And leave niggas with nothing but my influences-es
Soon it's the Jigga, I ain't mad, yeah, bite my shit
Sell half of what I sell 'cause it's not quite my shit
I'm the type to buy a Rollie and just ice my shit
On the spot, fuck coming back twice and shit
How real is that? My floss game, still intact
Boss game, you lame dudes can't feel that
Like the first dude to cop the 850 in '89
And drove it up to 55th, the city is mine, what?
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
I snatch your girl 'cause your arm ain't strong enough
Plus y'all don't stay in the studio long enough
I make hits while y'all stay hating and take bricks
Had it locked 'til I came in the club, Take 6
Snatched your chick 'cause you swore she was innocent
Got her a Chinese manicure, hair done by Dominicans, all for what
So I could be in a dark corner, all in the butt
At the bar alcoholing her up
I represent the lifestyle of those who thirst cream
A buck fifty a shot, Louis the Thirteenth
Jay-Z, Roc-A-Fella yo, know the name
I ain't a player get it right, I'm controlling the game
From now until they blow holes in my frame
I'ma stand firm, holding my aim, feel me?
I'm the focal, point like Biggie in his prime
On the low though, shhh, the city is mine
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
You belong
You belong
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
Yeah
What the deal playboy, just rest your soul
I be holding it down, yo, still love the dough
Got these ladies on the cock now, you know how we go
Got the whole world on lock down, you know how we flow
Don't worry about Brooklyn, I continue to flame
Therefore a world with amnesia won't forget your name
You held it down long enough, let me take those reigns
And just like your spirit the commission remains
Niggas can cross the T's and, dots the I's
Now that I got too popular to cop them pies
I'm taking this rap shit serious, to my demise
Jay shit's like cake mix, watch me rise
Basics in the basement, wasted
Asking my dog for advice and when he can't say shit
My hatred is fueled just give me a sign
And I let the world know that the city is mine, what?
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
Y'all want to know how I flow just seek and you find
I'm like a brain in the voice box, I speak my mind
About to redefine rap mami, either I'm
The illest nigga doing it, or these niggas is losing it
I read a article that said I was ruining shit
But every time I look, I'm moving units in quick
So I'ma hit y'all, with these last two and split
And leave niggas with nothing but my influences-es
Soon it's the Jigga, I ain't mad, yeah, bite my shit
Sell half of what I sell 'cause it's not quite my shit
I'm the type to buy a Rollie and just ice my shit
On the spot, fuck coming back twice and shit
How real is that? My floss game, still intact
Boss game, you lame dudes can't feel that
Like the first dude to cop the 850 in '89
And drove it up to 55th, the city is mine, what?
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
I snatch your girl 'cause your arm ain't strong enough
Plus y'all don't stay in the studio long enough
I make hits while y'all stay hating and take bricks
Had it locked 'til I came in the club, Take 6
Snatched your chick 'cause you swore she was innocent
Got her a Chinese manicure, hair done by Dominicans, all for what
So I could be in a dark corner, all in the butt
At the bar alcoholing her up
I represent the lifestyle of those who thirst cream
A buck fifty a shot, Louis the Thirteenth
Jay-Z, Roc-A-Fella yo, know the name
I ain't a player get it right, I'm controlling the game
From now until they blow holes in my frame
I'ma stand firm, holding my aim, feel me?
I'm the focal, point like Biggie in his prime
On the low though, shhh, the city is mine
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
You belong
You belong
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night
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Released after Biggie died, the songs a bit popish but damn he took the Throne of New York straight after!!!
One of the reasons for the beef with Nas.
love this, the music, words, everything. real chill but beasty at the same time.