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.
I met an old friend this morning
And I stopped him and called him by name
I said, "The years haven't changed you
But he said, "Good Lord, how you've changed!"
So we stood there and talked on the corner
And remembered the good times we had
Then he asked if we're happy together
And I only smiled and I said
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
And she keeps me out of trouble
Sometimes at night, Lord, when I hear the wind
I wish I was crazy again, yes, I wish I was crazy again"
Then we stopped in at a tavern
We had us a round or two
We called ourselves old desperado's, old desperado's
As old friends are likely to do
We sat for a while and remembered
Then he said, "Let's have just one more"
I said, "I'd sure like to join you
But best be goin' on home"
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
She keeps me off the streets"
And I stopped him and called him by name
I said, "The years haven't changed you
But he said, "Good Lord, how you've changed!"
So we stood there and talked on the corner
And remembered the good times we had
Then he asked if we're happy together
And I only smiled and I said
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
And she keeps me out of trouble
Sometimes at night, Lord, when I hear the wind
I wish I was crazy again, yes, I wish I was crazy again"
Then we stopped in at a tavern
We had us a round or two
We called ourselves old desperado's, old desperado's
As old friends are likely to do
We sat for a while and remembered
Then he said, "Let's have just one more"
I said, "I'd sure like to join you
But best be goin' on home"
"Yes, she keeps me off the streets
She keeps me off the streets"
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
I Wish I Was Crazy Again Lyrics as written by Bob Mcdill
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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