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.
If I don't think about the fact that she left me
If I don't see the pearls fall from the sky
If I don't hear the accusations of blasphemy
If I don't feel the tears in my eyes
This is the best day of my life
You say you'll call me and then you don't
I'll want to kiss you and then I won't
We both do nothing and call it love
Is this love?
Is this love?
This morning I wanted a cup of coffee
But I didn't have any cream
Last night I wanted some inspiration
But I didn't have any dreams
Coupled with the fact that you belong to another
Whose name is self-righteousness
So evil girl, if one of us has a date
With the undertaker, which one will it be?
You can cry forever, but you'll get no sympathy
This is the best day of my life
I've got three chains o' gold
And they will shine forever
They are the nucleus of my soul
Melt down, no, they will never
I've got three chains o' gold
And they will shine forever
They are the nucleus of my soul
Melt down, no, they will never
Yes
Give back the chains, if you don't you will die
Nothing should come between you and I
I've got three chains o' gold
And they will shine forever
If one of us has to go
You will go before me
If one of us has to go (three chains o' gold)
You will go before me
(Three chains o' gold)
You will go before me, baby (they will shine forever)
'Cause I sho 'nuff say you will
(Three chains o' gold)
(You will go before me)
(You will go before me)
(You will go before me)
(you will go before me)
I've got three chains o' gold
They gonna shine
Forever, forever, forever
(Three chains o' gold)
If I don't see the pearls fall from the sky
If I don't hear the accusations of blasphemy
If I don't feel the tears in my eyes
This is the best day of my life
You say you'll call me and then you don't
I'll want to kiss you and then I won't
We both do nothing and call it love
Is this love?
Is this love?
This morning I wanted a cup of coffee
But I didn't have any cream
Last night I wanted some inspiration
But I didn't have any dreams
Coupled with the fact that you belong to another
Whose name is self-righteousness
So evil girl, if one of us has a date
With the undertaker, which one will it be?
You can cry forever, but you'll get no sympathy
This is the best day of my life
I've got three chains o' gold
And they will shine forever
They are the nucleus of my soul
Melt down, no, they will never
I've got three chains o' gold
And they will shine forever
They are the nucleus of my soul
Melt down, no, they will never
Yes
Give back the chains, if you don't you will die
Nothing should come between you and I
I've got three chains o' gold
And they will shine forever
If one of us has to go
You will go before me
If one of us has to go (three chains o' gold)
You will go before me
(Three chains o' gold)
You will go before me, baby (they will shine forever)
'Cause I sho 'nuff say you will
(Three chains o' gold)
(You will go before me)
(You will go before me)
(You will go before me)
(you will go before me)
I've got three chains o' gold
They gonna shine
Forever, forever, forever
(Three chains o' gold)
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I heard this on the radio the other week, and realized I had completely forgotton an amazing song.
You can take the ''All that glitter's aint gold'' line in a lot of ways, personally at the moment, I take this in aspect of looking a girl I met. She was looked upon as the perfect girl because of her looks and her first impressions. I fortunately got to know her quite well but slowly she turned from all that was good into the complete opposite. Even though she looked real nice...she wasnt genuine.
This song has inspired me for years now. One of my top ten Prince songs. Anyway I think the song is telling you to not be fooled by the exterior because what really matters is what's inside.
I think if you pay too much attention to the chorus, you will miss the true meaning of the song. I agree that this is an awesome song by Prince and one of my favorites too, but I believe it’s less about judging a book by its cover than it is about the willingness to take risks and get the most out of your life. Too often we go the safe route or the one that others have already traveled rather than to do our own original thing. When we neglect to live life to the fullest, and fully expand our horizons, we never achieve our full potential. Even though some may view us as successful, because we are not what God made us to be, we may glitter but ain’t Gold yet!