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.
We ain't got no name, no we ain't got no name
We're rough, I understand 'cause there's status here to claim
Want it in my hand, don't want it in my head
Searching for a win and a battle's on the way
Hustle make you high high
hustle make you low
Say I want, say I want
What I want don't ever know
Hustle make you high high
Hustle make you low
All or none, all or none
All I got won't make it go
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
We don't got no shame no we don't got no shame
Aim up we got a plan say we never play their game
Keep our hands in the sand so our hearts can't be mislead
We're herded through their lane holding close to what we said
Hustle make you high high
Hustle get you low
Here it come hold it tight
Somehow we still let it go
Hustle make you high high
Hustle get you low
Not a one, not a one
Maybe just a little though
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
I want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
All we really want the same you and I
Down low, oh, we really want the fame, fame
All we really want the same you and I
How low, low
Are we gon' go for fame fame?
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
I want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
I want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
We're rough, I understand 'cause there's status here to claim
Want it in my hand, don't want it in my head
Searching for a win and a battle's on the way
Hustle make you high high
hustle make you low
Say I want, say I want
What I want don't ever know
Hustle make you high high
Hustle make you low
All or none, all or none
All I got won't make it go
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
We don't got no shame no we don't got no shame
Aim up we got a plan say we never play their game
Keep our hands in the sand so our hearts can't be mislead
We're herded through their lane holding close to what we said
Hustle make you high high
Hustle get you low
Here it come hold it tight
Somehow we still let it go
Hustle make you high high
Hustle get you low
Not a one, not a one
Maybe just a little though
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
I want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
All we really want the same you and I
Down low, oh, we really want the fame, fame
All we really want the same you and I
How low, low
Are we gon' go for fame fame?
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
I want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
All we wasted
All to gain
We all want the fame (we all want it)
I want the fame (we all want it)
Are you sayin'?
We're all the same (we all want it)
We all want the fame (we all want it)
We all want the fame
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I Can't Go To Sleep
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Blink-182
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No Surprises
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Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.