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.
[Hook: Chamillionaire]
You know I stay stacking my cheddar, leaning back on the leather
With a ride or die chick, on my side
Nobody does it better, so somebody better tell ya
That you dealing, with a playa fo' life
I'm a playa fo' life, I'm a playa fo' life
I'm a playa fo' life, I'm a playa fo' life
You need a baller, I'm a baller your type
You need a playa, that's what I is fo' life
[Lil' Flip]
24's on the coupe when I roll by, four guns on my lap when I roll high
Now I'm back in the trap with four fpies, three macks on my lap and a fo'-five
Mo'fuckers ain't know I could rap fast, mo'fuckers ain't know I could stack cash
Lil' mama right there she got a fat ass, but you know Clover Geez don't trick cash
Now let me slow it down, for all you Screw heads
Don't call me Flipper, it's Mr. I Can Do Dat
Fuck a lay-away, if I like it I buy it
And if it's purple haze, if I like it I try it
I'm doing 85, on 2-88
The music so loud, my phone on vibrate
I missed like twenty calls, and two of em my dogs
And you guessed it right, the rest of em broads
[Hook]
[Lil' Flip]
Come with me and tour the globe, let me show you how it go
I'll take you out that Bebe, and put you in designer clothes
You'll be closing Phantom do's, and Dolce & Cabana clothes
The paparazzi waiting, when you stepping out that G4
G5 we fly, we high ah man
I bet your man, ain't never had a hundred grand
I be drunk every hour, I be high every minute
I be dodging the press, because my windows tinted
I'm a playa for real, diamonds lay on my grill
To get out my deal, I had to pay two mill
Now I'm happy as ever, laying back on my leather
The number one fly boy, on the back of my sweater
[Hook]
[Lil' Flip]
Them chicks in Chi-Town, looking for a real playa
Them chicks in Las Vegas, they get that money out there
Them chicks in New York, cute but they talk rude
Them chicks in Paris France, now they know what to do
Them chicks in Berlin, they say they want a playa too
I got the chicks in the Lou, they hollin' what it do
Them Cali chicks, want a playa with that real do'
That's when I pull up in my drop, and let me grill show
[talking]
Ay-ay come ride-come ride-come ride
Ay, Southside for life
Ain't nobody do it like me, aaay
[Hook]
You know I stay stacking my cheddar, leaning back on the leather
With a ride or die chick, on my side
Nobody does it better, so somebody better tell ya
That you dealing, with a playa fo' life
I'm a playa fo' life, I'm a playa fo' life
I'm a playa fo' life, I'm a playa fo' life
You need a baller, I'm a baller your type
You need a playa, that's what I is fo' life
[Lil' Flip]
24's on the coupe when I roll by, four guns on my lap when I roll high
Now I'm back in the trap with four fpies, three macks on my lap and a fo'-five
Mo'fuckers ain't know I could rap fast, mo'fuckers ain't know I could stack cash
Lil' mama right there she got a fat ass, but you know Clover Geez don't trick cash
Now let me slow it down, for all you Screw heads
Don't call me Flipper, it's Mr. I Can Do Dat
Fuck a lay-away, if I like it I buy it
And if it's purple haze, if I like it I try it
I'm doing 85, on 2-88
The music so loud, my phone on vibrate
I missed like twenty calls, and two of em my dogs
And you guessed it right, the rest of em broads
[Hook]
[Lil' Flip]
Come with me and tour the globe, let me show you how it go
I'll take you out that Bebe, and put you in designer clothes
You'll be closing Phantom do's, and Dolce & Cabana clothes
The paparazzi waiting, when you stepping out that G4
G5 we fly, we high ah man
I bet your man, ain't never had a hundred grand
I be drunk every hour, I be high every minute
I be dodging the press, because my windows tinted
I'm a playa for real, diamonds lay on my grill
To get out my deal, I had to pay two mill
Now I'm happy as ever, laying back on my leather
The number one fly boy, on the back of my sweater
[Hook]
[Lil' Flip]
Them chicks in Chi-Town, looking for a real playa
Them chicks in Las Vegas, they get that money out there
Them chicks in New York, cute but they talk rude
Them chicks in Paris France, now they know what to do
Them chicks in Berlin, they say they want a playa too
I got the chicks in the Lou, they hollin' what it do
Them Cali chicks, want a playa with that real do'
That's when I pull up in my drop, and let me grill show
[talking]
Ay-ay come ride-come ride-come ride
Ay, Southside for life
Ain't nobody do it like me, aaay
[Hook]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Playa 4 Life Lyrics as written by Anthony Forte Rodney Lattrell Evans
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/