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.
Everything is so complex
Everyday is like a test
For the obstacles that seem most impossible
And I'm thinking, just another breath.
Not a minute left, how long have I been drifting!.
Pass the glass pipe, hit the flashlight, now I break it
People say I'm a star, but I still think I'll never make it
And I'm thinking, just another prayer.
Not a second left. I feel there's something missing.
Sometimes I hate that chaos surrounds me
When all the answers that I seek are around me
Am I drowning, am I fading away,
Or am I living up to all your dreams that made me this way
Am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning..
I've been to hell and back, looking for the answers to life.
Looking at myself trying to get things right
And I'm feeling, just another breath.
Not a minute left, I feel the darkness lifting!
There was a time that I questioned if I'll ever be all right
Running getting high, staying tracked by sleepless nights
And I'm thinking, just another breath.
Not a minute left. I feel there's something missing.
I'm running from myself and all the things I don't like.
Living every night like it's the last night.
And I'm thinking. just another prayer.
Not a second left. I need to stop resisting.
Sometimes I hate that chaos surrounds me
When all the answers that I seek are around me
Am I drowning, am I fading away,
Or am I living up to all your dreams that made me this way
Am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning
Drowning in the drama, lost in the light
Trapped by the currents of life, caught in the riptide.
Everyday is like a test
For the obstacles that seem most impossible
And I'm thinking, just another breath.
Not a minute left, how long have I been drifting!.
Pass the glass pipe, hit the flashlight, now I break it
People say I'm a star, but I still think I'll never make it
And I'm thinking, just another prayer.
Not a second left. I feel there's something missing.
Sometimes I hate that chaos surrounds me
When all the answers that I seek are around me
Am I drowning, am I fading away,
Or am I living up to all your dreams that made me this way
Am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning..
I've been to hell and back, looking for the answers to life.
Looking at myself trying to get things right
And I'm feeling, just another breath.
Not a minute left, I feel the darkness lifting!
There was a time that I questioned if I'll ever be all right
Running getting high, staying tracked by sleepless nights
And I'm thinking, just another breath.
Not a minute left. I feel there's something missing.
I'm running from myself and all the things I don't like.
Living every night like it's the last night.
And I'm thinking. just another prayer.
Not a second left. I need to stop resisting.
Sometimes I hate that chaos surrounds me
When all the answers that I seek are around me
Am I drowning, am I fading away,
Or am I living up to all your dreams that made me this way
Am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning, am I drowning
Drowning in the drama, lost in the light
Trapped by the currents of life, caught in the riptide.
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Its suprising how many people say this song is shit when i cant get enough of it and its catchy