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.
You drive down your old street
Familiar smiles from those you meet
You’ve been around been everywhere
But objects in the rear view mirror
Are closer than they appear
Looking back is bittersweet
When the world was at your feet
Love would make your life complete
No one makes it on their own
You’ve come so far
In your comfortable car
Now objects in the rear view mirror
Seem closer than they are
Looking back is bittersweet
All the world was at your feet
Love could make your life complete
Yeah, love could make your life complete
Teach your heart to skip a beat
Lift your eyes above the street
This is where you once belonged
Come on now, its not so bad
Thinking back on the fund we had
We can stitch a life together
With the fibres of the past
But you cannot make a fleeting moment
Promise it will last
Looking back is bittersweet
Love the world was at your feet
Lift your eyes above the street
This is where you once belonged
Been everywhere
And now you’re here
And objects in the rear view mirror
Seem to disappear
Familiar smiles from those you meet
You’ve been around been everywhere
But objects in the rear view mirror
Are closer than they appear
Looking back is bittersweet
When the world was at your feet
Love would make your life complete
No one makes it on their own
You’ve come so far
In your comfortable car
Now objects in the rear view mirror
Seem closer than they are
Looking back is bittersweet
All the world was at your feet
Love could make your life complete
Yeah, love could make your life complete
Teach your heart to skip a beat
Lift your eyes above the street
This is where you once belonged
Come on now, its not so bad
Thinking back on the fund we had
We can stitch a life together
With the fibres of the past
But you cannot make a fleeting moment
Promise it will last
Looking back is bittersweet
Love the world was at your feet
Lift your eyes above the street
This is where you once belonged
Been everywhere
And now you’re here
And objects in the rear view mirror
Seem to disappear
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