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.
Here I am, trying to fight this urge again. I find I’m growing distant from my friends. You think twice, realize you only ever needed to think once, because it was 8 or 9 long, hard, stupid months. Full of grinding your teeth, and trying to be somebody you were not underneath. Now I’m far too concerned with who you are underneath, it’s hard to keep myself from wondering.
If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then why did you have to write this all down? If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then humor me with who you think you are now.
Do you think that he would be surprised to find her across from me, of all people me at this all night diner? What would it be? How would it go? Was it a lie or a stupid reminder of a guy who was leaps and bounds behind her? Some time wasted and spent? a connection that came and went? You are being dumb right now, girl, just ask your boy friend. I am being dumb right now, girl, but what has changed since back then? I swear to god, I don’t believe in this is stupider than we have ever been.
If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then why did you have to write this all down? If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then humor me with who you think you are now. Humor me with who you think you are now.
Now I’m singing the same song all god damn day long, because it is the only one I remember.
If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then why did you have to write this all down? If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then humor me with who you think you are now. Humor me with who you think you are now.
If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then why did you have to write this all down? If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then humor me with who you think you are now.
Do you think that he would be surprised to find her across from me, of all people me at this all night diner? What would it be? How would it go? Was it a lie or a stupid reminder of a guy who was leaps and bounds behind her? Some time wasted and spent? a connection that came and went? You are being dumb right now, girl, just ask your boy friend. I am being dumb right now, girl, but what has changed since back then? I swear to god, I don’t believe in this is stupider than we have ever been.
If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then why did you have to write this all down? If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then humor me with who you think you are now. Humor me with who you think you are now.
Now I’m singing the same song all god damn day long, because it is the only one I remember.
If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then why did you have to write this all down? If you’re not the same boy and it is so obvious, then humor me with who you think you are now. Humor me with who you think you are now.
Lyrics submitted by DarkwingDan
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