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.
From the moment that I met you
You had powers over me
Shoulda known, I shoulda known
You were toxic energy
You're lonely, addicted
You clench your fists and quit it
I'm friends with your sickness
I'm tired of havin' to fix it
These white walls and white lines
Remind me of the bad times
Alone with you in revery
Erase me, forget me
From the moment that I met you
You had powers over me
Shoulda known, I shoulda known
You were toxic energy
You were lightning, you were cocaine
You were everything between
Shoulda known, I shoulda known
You were toxic energy
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
You're lonely, addicted
You clench your fists and quit it
Your bitter heart is freezing
Anxiety, thoughts fleeting
Can't fix you, remove you
From flames that consume you
You knew me, I knew you
I changed and outgrew you
From the moment that I met you
You had powers over me
I should've known, I should've known
You were toxic energy
You were lightning, you were cocaine
You were everything between
I should've known, I should've known
You were toxic energy
Now I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I wonder if I'll ever make it out
I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I think it's gonna be a while (I think it's gonna be a while)
I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I wonder if I'll ever make it out (I wonder if I'll ever make it out)
I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I think it's gonna be a while
I think it's gonna be a while
(I think it's gonna be a while)
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
(Wow, haha)
You had powers over me
Shoulda known, I shoulda known
You were toxic energy
You're lonely, addicted
You clench your fists and quit it
I'm friends with your sickness
I'm tired of havin' to fix it
These white walls and white lines
Remind me of the bad times
Alone with you in revery
Erase me, forget me
From the moment that I met you
You had powers over me
Shoulda known, I shoulda known
You were toxic energy
You were lightning, you were cocaine
You were everything between
Shoulda known, I shoulda known
You were toxic energy
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
You're lonely, addicted
You clench your fists and quit it
Your bitter heart is freezing
Anxiety, thoughts fleeting
Can't fix you, remove you
From flames that consume you
You knew me, I knew you
I changed and outgrew you
From the moment that I met you
You had powers over me
I should've known, I should've known
You were toxic energy
You were lightning, you were cocaine
You were everything between
I should've known, I should've known
You were toxic energy
Now I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I wonder if I'll ever make it out
I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I think it's gonna be a while (I think it's gonna be a while)
I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I wonder if I'll ever make it out (I wonder if I'll ever make it out)
I'm all alone in this big ol' house
I think it's gonna be a while
I think it's gonna be a while
(I think it's gonna be a while)
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
Whoa-oh, oh-oh
Toxic energy
(Wow, haha)
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