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.
[talib kweli]
So many emcees focusin on black people extermination
We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination
It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations
C'mon let's smooth it out like soul sensation
We in the house like japanese in japan, or koreans in korea
Head to philly and free mumia with the kujichagulia true
Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what
They writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin
No question, bein a black man is demandin
The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3x)
With that what? (knowledge of self) determination
*repeat 4x*
[singer]
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
[talib kweli]
Yes yes come on, yes yes
Knowledge of self is like life after death
With that you never worry about your last breath
Death comes, that's how i'm livin, it's the next days
The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page
Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age
I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage
At exactly which point do you start to realize
That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?
That's why, knowledge of self is like life after death
Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest
Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this
Hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light
Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident
Voices and drums original instruments
In the flesh presently presentin my representation
With that what? (knowledge of self) determination
*repeat 6x*
- - - - these two parts overlap - - - -
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
*repeat 2x*
[talib kweli]
The most important time in history is, now, the present
So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence
But you stressin over time and you follow the roman calendar
These people enter cona like gattaca, you can bet
They tryin to lock you down like attica, the african diaspora
Represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever
I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever
Aiyyo i heard you twice the first time money, get it together
You must be history, you repeatin yourself out of the pages
You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth
That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention
Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention
Or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left
The young, gifted and black are sprung addicted to crack
All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here
And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear
With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration
You get out of jail with that knowledge of self determination
Stand in ovation, cause you put the hue in human
Cause and effect, effect everything you do
And that's why i got love in the face of hate
Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight
The thought you had don't even contemplate
Infinite like figure eight there's no escape..
From that what? (knowledge of self) determination
*repeat 4x*
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
*repeat 2x*
..
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
*repeat 2x*
What i'm feelin, what i'm feelin, ooooh, what i'm feelin...
So many emcees focusin on black people extermination
We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination
It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations
C'mon let's smooth it out like soul sensation
We in the house like japanese in japan, or koreans in korea
Head to philly and free mumia with the kujichagulia true
Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what
They writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin
No question, bein a black man is demandin
The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin (3x)
With that what? (knowledge of self) determination
*repeat 4x*
[singer]
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
[talib kweli]
Yes yes come on, yes yes
Knowledge of self is like life after death
With that you never worry about your last breath
Death comes, that's how i'm livin, it's the next days
The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page
Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age
I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage
At exactly which point do you start to realize
That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?
That's why, knowledge of self is like life after death
Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest
Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this
Hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light
Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident
Voices and drums original instruments
In the flesh presently presentin my representation
With that what? (knowledge of self) determination
*repeat 6x*
- - - - these two parts overlap - - - -
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
*repeat 2x*
[talib kweli]
The most important time in history is, now, the present
So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence
But you stressin over time and you follow the roman calendar
These people enter cona like gattaca, you can bet
They tryin to lock you down like attica, the african diaspora
Represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever
I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever
Aiyyo i heard you twice the first time money, get it together
You must be history, you repeatin yourself out of the pages
You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth
That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention
Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention
Or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left
The young, gifted and black are sprung addicted to crack
All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here
And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear
With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration
You get out of jail with that knowledge of self determination
Stand in ovation, cause you put the hue in human
Cause and effect, effect everything you do
And that's why i got love in the face of hate
Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight
The thought you had don't even contemplate
Infinite like figure eight there's no escape..
From that what? (knowledge of self) determination
*repeat 4x*
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
*repeat 2x*
..
Things i say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what i'm feelin
*repeat 2x*
What i'm feelin, what i'm feelin, ooooh, what i'm feelin...
Lyrics submitted by tomwood3123
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