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 the phone rang, 3 in the morning
Dead middle of night
There was nothing on the line
I set back the silent receiver
Tiny flames lit in my head
Hey did any of you freaks here ever remember Lenny?
I can't remember his last name
He's turned to dust now, one of the chosen few
Left out in the rain, out of town again
Left out in the rain, ocean bound I guess
Between the mattress
And a column of hazy faces
I remember every word you said
Quite a clear picture: every word you said
The door was open but the way was not lit
And there was no way out of my head
On a crimson highway by a chrome bumper
I last saw you alive, inclined to thrive
Evening fireflies lit sparks around your head
But wait a minute, let's back up a bit
Some famous stars were busted
Down on fashion avenue
Impersonating real men
Not knowing who they really were
Now here at dark corners all is calm and quiet
And good
The kids are up late dreaming quiet questions
In a graceful mood
Can you please pass me a jug of winter light?
Fold me in an ocean's whim?
In sweet corrosive fire light?
In the city made of tin?
Are you famous under the skin?
Familiar with the things you wanted?
Able now to take it all in?
Making peace with every hole in the story?
Did lightning keep you up all night?
Illuminate the soot and grit?
Can you tell how high the sky tonight?
Dig out from under in spite of it?
Can you cover up the one that floats?
Push back the hours?
I hear your voice, I speak your name
Among New York City ghosts and flowers
Will we meet? To run again?
Thru New York City ghosts and flowers
Dead middle of night
There was nothing on the line
I set back the silent receiver
Tiny flames lit in my head
Hey did any of you freaks here ever remember Lenny?
I can't remember his last name
He's turned to dust now, one of the chosen few
Left out in the rain, out of town again
Left out in the rain, ocean bound I guess
Between the mattress
And a column of hazy faces
I remember every word you said
Quite a clear picture: every word you said
The door was open but the way was not lit
And there was no way out of my head
On a crimson highway by a chrome bumper
I last saw you alive, inclined to thrive
Evening fireflies lit sparks around your head
But wait a minute, let's back up a bit
Some famous stars were busted
Down on fashion avenue
Impersonating real men
Not knowing who they really were
Now here at dark corners all is calm and quiet
And good
The kids are up late dreaming quiet questions
In a graceful mood
Can you please pass me a jug of winter light?
Fold me in an ocean's whim?
In sweet corrosive fire light?
In the city made of tin?
Are you famous under the skin?
Familiar with the things you wanted?
Able now to take it all in?
Making peace with every hole in the story?
Did lightning keep you up all night?
Illuminate the soot and grit?
Can you tell how high the sky tonight?
Dig out from under in spite of it?
Can you cover up the one that floats?
Push back the hours?
I hear your voice, I speak your name
Among New York City ghosts and flowers
Will we meet? To run again?
Thru New York City ghosts and flowers
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How can no one have commented on prob the most interesting SY song ever? I was just going to try and talk ab it but i still have no idea what this damn song is about. HELP!!!
It is so difficult to talk about their songs. There are extremely moving, often sarcastic, but impossible to understand at times. To me, this one is just pure feeling of nostalgy. Maybe more because of the music than the lyrics.
Hmm.. a tough one indeed.
All Lee's lyrics gives me the impression of random thinking connected somehow to a deeper, unique and very specific idea. But this idea rather remains hidden. It's like Notebook or Scriptures of the Golden Eternity: we got just the impression of there's something deeper, but we never get to know what is it.
But, then again, for me, this words are about fame and anonymity, and the struggle between them inside Lee's head. Or maybe he's just mocking us all.
In any case, it's a GREAT song.
The first section gives me the felling that it's a voice inside lee's head, or the result of a schizophrenia. 'phone rang three in the morning. No one on the other end of the reciever' - no-one would be, it's a figment of his imagation.
'Can any of you remember lenny' - asking other people which he imagines.
'The door was open but the way was not lit, and there was no way out of my head' He realises he has a mental problem, but cannot rid himself of it.
'some famous stars were busted by the thought police down on fashion avenue, impersonating real men' Lee's link back to other examples of people feeling what he is feeling and hearing. Linking it to celebrities.
That's what i interpret from the first few verses, the rest just appear to be ajumble of words orchestrated in a beautiful, illogical way.