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.
we can waste we can come and go we can act like we don't know about suffering and pain we can live our lives in shame for never helping anyone we know or don't but we need to recognize that we are dying if we live alone let's send our energy out with what we know and unify today because our freedom sits at the end of a gun we're all here getting beat up and held back we're all here digging knives from our backs we've all been betrayed because it's business not people it's always take and it is never give and that's not the way i want to live cause that's nothing but dying and we're nothing if we sell ourselves close your eyes never hear never cry for living an empty life
Lyrics submitted by standardarmy
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Best fucking song ever! By the best fucking band ever! Love all fellow human beings and treat them with respect and dignity.... kind of in the same vein as "sons and daughters" off A Flight and a Crash :)
I just heard this before. Haven't stopped playing it for 3 days :-)
Noone on their death bed looks back on their life with regrets about their career. Its not even relevant. If they have any regrets, it is for failed relationships. This is what the song is about.
I just heard this before. Haven't stopped playing it for 3 days :-)
Noone on their death bed looks back on their life with regrets about their career. Its not even relevant. If they have any regrets, it is for failed relationships. This is what the song is about.
This song is soooo brillant. My favourite Hot water Music song. It's pretty self explanitory. Just talking about how people ignore issues that are going down around us, but we need to stop being bums and stop being so damn selfish and look around and do something for a change.. Help someone. And its not business- its people :) we all just have to realize that and stop steping on eachother to get to the top of the ladder. Whats life without love kiddies? If you're crummy to people and do things with selfish intentions no one will love you.. and you'll die lonley old and wrinkly! >:(
good song :) and a good explanation jess guess u really like that song :)
amen jess. rock on.
what a beautiful song...it is so true. if people just did little things to help someone in need, the world would be a better place. its about how people can be so caught up in themselves that they forget the rest of the world around them. this song is exactly what i want to say but couldn't find the words to describe it. hot water music rox my sox
This s0ng inspired me to write a song. I mean what can I say. This song is north america, it's capitalism, it's everyone for themselves, don't stop for the fallen guy, he was weak anyways, just keep on going you greedy bastard! Where's the love?!!!??!!?!
i know its like 4 years later.. but are you serious with the rox my sox? haha