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.
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
Show the rope and dangle it above me
Want the truth and nothing but the whole truth
Say I'm nervous but I'm looking for the real proof
Found the photo and the little piece of paper
Without a name but that will come later
It would seem that your no good at deceit
It would appear that you lie and you cheat
Want to shriek to the beings in the corner
Want to howl 'cause it feels like torture
Spare me your weak apologies
I don't care for the way they make me bleed
Can't find a reason and you won't explain
You'll be sorry if it happens again
Lets make a deal or I'll hurt you, you know
Beat a path to my door
Why, why, why
say all the things you said before
Why, why
Tell me the gospel according to you
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
Lets make a deal or I'll hurt you, you know
You haven't a notion and you haven't a clue
You have to know I cannot trust you
Now I know too well your ways
Now I know I'll always pay
So I'll sit in my room not daring to move
Never raising my voice and thinking of you
And I'll try to imagine that we never met
Try to pretend and I'll try to forget
Lets make a deal or I'll hurt you, you know
Beat a path to my door
Why, why, why
say all the things you said before
Why, why
Tell me the gospel according to you
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
Show the rope and dangle it above me
Want the truth and nothing but the whole truth
Say I'm nervous but I'm looking for the real proof
Found the photo and the little piece of paper
Without a name but that will come later
It would seem that your no good at deceit
It would appear that you lie and you cheat
Want to shriek to the beings in the corner
Want to howl 'cause it feels like torture
Spare me your weak apologies
I don't care for the way they make me bleed
Can't find a reason and you won't explain
You'll be sorry if it happens again
Lets make a deal or I'll hurt you, you know
Beat a path to my door
Why, why, why
say all the things you said before
Why, why
Tell me the gospel according to you
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
Lets make a deal or I'll hurt you, you know
You haven't a notion and you haven't a clue
You have to know I cannot trust you
Now I know too well your ways
Now I know I'll always pay
So I'll sit in my room not daring to move
Never raising my voice and thinking of you
And I'll try to imagine that we never met
Try to pretend and I'll try to forget
Lets make a deal or I'll hurt you, you know
Beat a path to my door
Why, why, why
say all the things you said before
Why, why
Tell me the gospel according to you
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
You know you don't love me but you still want to touch me
Feel my body, well it makes me feel ugly
Want to use me, emotionally abuse me
show the rope and dangle it above me
Lyrics submitted by Addıct
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Quite obviously the singer/protagonist... let's call her 'Fiona'... has caught partner 'George' cheating on her. The lyrics make it obvious. I wonder what Fiona means by 'show the rope and dangle it above me'? Is the rope a metaphorical noose? Could it be a kinkier bondage reference? I also wonder what was written on the little piece of paper - a tryst time and address, perhaps? What could the photo be of - a simple snapshot of George's secret lover, or perhaps something more sexual? I also wonder what the 'beings in the corner' are? I love the second verse where Fiona goes quiet, sitting in her room motionless because she's so angry with George about his betrayal, and she's envisioning never having met him. More so, I love the line 'tell me the gospel according to you' - referring to his 'gospel' of excuses for where he was last night, all of which are an obvious lie. This is an awesome song; so are all this band's other songs.
I think show the rope and dangle it above me is a metaphorical noose.
I really like the song. Though.. But I love the chorus. I can relate to those lyrics though.