The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (when it's on that's who you get, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (that's your motherfuckin' clique, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (you a motherfuckin' snitch, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD
Niggas wanna shine like me (me)
Rhyme like me (me)
But they don't walk around with a .9 like me (me)
They don't want to do it three to nine like me
And they ain't strong enough to take nine like me
Ayo, you thinkin' 'bout shittin' on 50, save it
My songs belong in the Bible with King David's
I teach niggas sign language, that ain't deaf, son
You heard that? That mean run
Ask around, I ain't the one you wanna stunt on, pa
Pull through, I'll throw a fuckin' cocktail at ya car
From the last shootout I got a dimple on my face
It's nothin', I can go after Mase fan base (haha)
Shell hit my jaw, I ain't wait for doctor to get it out
Hit my wisdom tooth, spit it out
I don't smile a lot 'cause ain't nothin' pretty
Got a purple heart for war and I ain't never left the city
Hoes be like, "Fiddy, you so witty"
On the dick like they heard I ghostwrite for P. Diddy
You got fat while we starve, it's my turn (uh-huh)
I done felt how the shells burn, I still won't learn
Won't learn
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Mama said everything that happened to us, was part of God's plan
So at night when I talk to him I got my gun in my hand
Don't think I'm crazy 'cause I don't fear man
'Cause I fear when I kill a man God won't understand
I got a head full of evil thoughts, am I Satan?
I been could've killed these niggas, I'm still waitin'
In the telly with two whores, Benz with two doors
Thirty-two karats in the cross, no flaws (woo)
You see me in the hood, I got at least two guns
I carry the Glock, Tony carry my M-1
Hold me down, nigga, OGs tryin' to rock me (yeah)
D's waitin' for my response to lock me (yeah)
This is my hustle, nigga, don't knock me
You need some shit with a banana clip to try and stop me
I'm the one
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
See, I done been to the Pearly Gates, they sent me back
Good die young, I ain't eligible for that
I shot niggas, I been shot, sold crack in the street
My attitude is gangsta, so I stay in some beef
You wanna get acquainted with me, you wanna know me
From three-point range with a Glock, I shoot better then Kobe (yeah)
See a nigga standin' next to me, he probably my Co-D
See a bitch gettin' in my whip, she probably gon' blow me
See the flow is like a .38, it's special y'all
A country boy tell ya, "I'm finna blow"
I'm more like a pimp than a trick, you know
You see I'm in this for the paper, I don't love the hoes
Niggas broke in the hood worryin' 'bout mines
Grown ass men wearin' starter kit shines
Know them little pieces with the little stones
Got little clientele fiends call your cell phone
When the gossipin' start I'm always the topic
You too old for that shit, dog, won't you stop it?
Shorty, I been watchin' you watchin' me
Now tell me what you like more, my watch or me? Haha
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
We ain't got nothin' in common
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (that's your motherfuckin' clique, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (you a motherfuckin' snitch, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD
Niggas wanna shine like me (me)
Rhyme like me (me)
But they don't walk around with a .9 like me (me)
They don't want to do it three to nine like me
And they ain't strong enough to take nine like me
Ayo, you thinkin' 'bout shittin' on 50, save it
My songs belong in the Bible with King David's
I teach niggas sign language, that ain't deaf, son
You heard that? That mean run
Ask around, I ain't the one you wanna stunt on, pa
Pull through, I'll throw a fuckin' cocktail at ya car
From the last shootout I got a dimple on my face
It's nothin', I can go after Mase fan base (haha)
Shell hit my jaw, I ain't wait for doctor to get it out
Hit my wisdom tooth, spit it out
I don't smile a lot 'cause ain't nothin' pretty
Got a purple heart for war and I ain't never left the city
Hoes be like, "Fiddy, you so witty"
On the dick like they heard I ghostwrite for P. Diddy
You got fat while we starve, it's my turn (uh-huh)
I done felt how the shells burn, I still won't learn
Won't learn
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Mama said everything that happened to us, was part of God's plan
So at night when I talk to him I got my gun in my hand
Don't think I'm crazy 'cause I don't fear man
'Cause I fear when I kill a man God won't understand
I got a head full of evil thoughts, am I Satan?
I been could've killed these niggas, I'm still waitin'
In the telly with two whores, Benz with two doors
Thirty-two karats in the cross, no flaws (woo)
You see me in the hood, I got at least two guns
I carry the Glock, Tony carry my M-1
Hold me down, nigga, OGs tryin' to rock me (yeah)
D's waitin' for my response to lock me (yeah)
This is my hustle, nigga, don't knock me
You need some shit with a banana clip to try and stop me
I'm the one
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
See, I done been to the Pearly Gates, they sent me back
Good die young, I ain't eligible for that
I shot niggas, I been shot, sold crack in the street
My attitude is gangsta, so I stay in some beef
You wanna get acquainted with me, you wanna know me
From three-point range with a Glock, I shoot better then Kobe (yeah)
See a nigga standin' next to me, he probably my Co-D
See a bitch gettin' in my whip, she probably gon' blow me
See the flow is like a .38, it's special y'all
A country boy tell ya, "I'm finna blow"
I'm more like a pimp than a trick, you know
You see I'm in this for the paper, I don't love the hoes
Niggas broke in the hood worryin' 'bout mines
Grown ass men wearin' starter kit shines
Know them little pieces with the little stones
Got little clientele fiends call your cell phone
When the gossipin' start I'm always the topic
You too old for that shit, dog, won't you stop it?
Shorty, I been watchin' you watchin' me
Now tell me what you like more, my watch or me? Haha
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
We ain't got nothin' in common
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
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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.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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.
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
"Niggas want beef, y'all could see me in the street" Maybe he's one of those guys that sells food on street-corners.