This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Yo, check it out
I want you to pay attention to this
Know what I'm saying, listen up, alright?
You bust lead? So do I, except mine impregnates the page
Giving birth to thoughts that unify
You fuck little girls, I make love to women
My words uplift, yours are poisonous like venom
I'm an emcee, you're a rapper
I'm as real as they come
While half the guys you idolize are just actors
You run from commitment, I remain loyal
You call women bitches
I call them queens because they're royal
You make rap songs, I make soul music
When God speaks through rhythm, will you go to it
Yo I save my cash; yours, you blow through it
I say your child's special, you say he's so stupid
I'm pouring my heart out in everything written
You're scared you'll look soft, heart remains hidden
Yo on touchy subjects nerves I stay hittin'
But I ain't better than you, I just think different
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
My fam run things, while you run your jewelry
My people pop lock, you tough guys pop toolies
You rock gems, I drop gems
You Xerox copying while I originate material to stimulate
Positive thought patterns when the chosen start gathering
We bar none
Yo I got jokes, you are one
I'm out doing it while you talk about it
I'm constantly in the mix while you walk around it
You try, I do
I'm wise, you're clueless
I get the job done, you fail and make excuses
I'm a gentleman, your behavior's abusive
I'm patient, you're jumping the gun, false start
You're caught up in dress codes, I'll shop at Wal-Mart
Sucker, I'm all heart and you're half-hearted
You suckas are vandals, we graf artist
Thought you had the last laugh but we laugh hardest
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
You fall in love with body parts, I connect mentally
With my female counterpart before we bond physically
Cats I chill with rap about revolution
While you rap about drug abuse and distribution
You wanna be like Mike, yo I wanna be me
My queen's hard to obtain while yours is easy
We both from Maryland but be reppin' D.C.
We all front sometimes, that's how emcees be
My word is bond and yours is worthless
You're mainstream, I'm beneath the surface
I stay working hard while you're hardly workin'
All you want is money and your dick sucked, are you certain?
I want a better world for our seeds to live in
I put faith in myself, not the system
Yo, we trying to travel so why you making pit stops?
You cats is rap and I'm hip-hop
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
I want you to pay attention to this
Know what I'm saying, listen up, alright?
You bust lead? So do I, except mine impregnates the page
Giving birth to thoughts that unify
You fuck little girls, I make love to women
My words uplift, yours are poisonous like venom
I'm an emcee, you're a rapper
I'm as real as they come
While half the guys you idolize are just actors
You run from commitment, I remain loyal
You call women bitches
I call them queens because they're royal
You make rap songs, I make soul music
When God speaks through rhythm, will you go to it
Yo I save my cash; yours, you blow through it
I say your child's special, you say he's so stupid
I'm pouring my heart out in everything written
You're scared you'll look soft, heart remains hidden
Yo on touchy subjects nerves I stay hittin'
But I ain't better than you, I just think different
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
My fam run things, while you run your jewelry
My people pop lock, you tough guys pop toolies
You rock gems, I drop gems
You Xerox copying while I originate material to stimulate
Positive thought patterns when the chosen start gathering
We bar none
Yo I got jokes, you are one
I'm out doing it while you talk about it
I'm constantly in the mix while you walk around it
You try, I do
I'm wise, you're clueless
I get the job done, you fail and make excuses
I'm a gentleman, your behavior's abusive
I'm patient, you're jumping the gun, false start
You're caught up in dress codes, I'll shop at Wal-Mart
Sucker, I'm all heart and you're half-hearted
You suckas are vandals, we graf artist
Thought you had the last laugh but we laugh hardest
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
You fall in love with body parts, I connect mentally
With my female counterpart before we bond physically
Cats I chill with rap about revolution
While you rap about drug abuse and distribution
You wanna be like Mike, yo I wanna be me
My queen's hard to obtain while yours is easy
We both from Maryland but be reppin' D.C.
We all front sometimes, that's how emcees be
My word is bond and yours is worthless
You're mainstream, I'm beneath the surface
I stay working hard while you're hardly workin'
All you want is money and your dick sucked, are you certain?
I want a better world for our seeds to live in
I put faith in myself, not the system
Yo, we trying to travel so why you making pit stops?
You cats is rap and I'm hip-hop
Is the glass half full or half empty?
It's based on your perspective quite simply
We're the same and we're not, know what I'm saying? Listen
So I ain't better than you, I just think different
Lyrics submitted by Dragon19
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
this song also opened my perspectives on the world, beautiful. rip nujabes.
Agree with Dragon19!
I will admit that I never heard of this guy until he passed and it was posted on this site. After reading the post I went ahead and DLed some of his music and I must say I am VERY impressed. I am a metal head at heart but I do like a very select few of hip-hop artists. NONE of that mainstream shit...ugh. But I can now say he has now joined those ranks amoung Aesop Rock, Optiumus Rhyme, Slug and Felt (all hip-hop artists that I like).
RIP
Cool! First comment.
I'll start off by saying, I love this song and they way its versed. The message is clear. Substantial is dissing all those mainstream rappers, like 50 Cent, G-Unit, and others, whose main message in their songs is about pimping hos, having sex with alot of women, getting shot at, etc. He's saying he may be the same, but he's not, cause he thinks and raps differently.
I don't see where it was mentioned, but eh.
Regardless, his music has always been truly inspiring and it's great to see more people notice.
I have been listening to Nujabes for 15 minutes or so after my bro left it on my laptop. I am sooo impressed by this guy's work. The lyrics to this song are fantastic and wise. This is the reason I love rap/hip hop music, and defend it when people tell me they think it's shitty.
Great insightful song. Everything I hear by this guy is great so far... It's rare to find music this smart and catchy.
Well, since I forgot to include this before, this song is quite clear.
I wouldn't call it a diss, but it's a clean comparison in between what the artist (the MC) portrays himself as, and to what he believes a "rapper" is. While there's certain distinctions, he still breaks it by saying "It's based on perspective... I'm not better than you, I just think different".
All in all, a great song with a great beat. Love it.