On the street
I never could realize what was the problem
oh no why am I getting called out this way?
oh I just couldn't see
my leather coat
oh, who's looking at me?
Now
I couldn't pull it off
To walk the street looking just how I would like
without looking left or right

oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
and it goes
when I was young
I only wanted to be black
oh oh and I woulda paid
to wear what I want and still relax

what's your plans for the night?
indeed I got to know
I'll get on my best gear
purple or black tights
dressed just right for your decade
too, dressed just right for your age
what used to be a stage is just a phase now
you know growing up through life
it's only just like changing channels on your tv
that's not how it's supposed to be

oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
and it goes
when I was young
I only wanted to be black
and I woulda paid
to wear what I want and still relax

and everyone at that time
is only classic then
is only classic then
and every one at this time
is only classic now
only classic now

What kind of accomplishment is throwback?
I was the first one to prefer that
Everyone's making dance music, true
But we started in 2002
So what, the future don't appeal to you
Well no one's supposed to wear Jordan's shoes
When I was young, yeah, I wore them to school
But I had 'em all on me like something to lose

You got your eyes on all
The fashionable girls
You can never make it
Oh no, anyway
Who can pull it off?
When every same class has the future of retro
I got beat up for my clothes

When I was young
I only wanted to be black
Oh oh and I woulda paid
To wear what I want and still relax

And everyone at the time
is only class then
only classic then
and everyone at this time
is only classic now
only classic now


Lyrics submitted by Sunshineshine

Wanna Be Black Lyrics as written by Benjamin Grubin

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Wanna Be Black song meanings
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2 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    oh never mind it's actually fixed gear.

    ClarenceDangiton May 25, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    This is my favorite on the album. Think it's pretty straight forward. When you're a kid you can't be whoever you like for fear of what others say or do. You have to follow a standard. The music is really great.

    Correction on the lyrics:

    I'll get on my thick skier and purple or black tights

    ClarenceDangiton May 25, 2010   Link

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