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.
Don't misread the silence
And take my distance as a sign
There's only one heart
That's confused
And it's most likely mine
I always make the rules
And I change 'em all the time
Always stayed a step ahead
'Til you looked into my eyes
My thoughts are frozen
Can't you hear me
Screaming inside
As you come closer
Don't know where to run this time
I feel weak,
I'm never weak
I always know what to say
Don't look at me
I can't speak
How did you get to me this way?
All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me
It could be so easy
If you'd make just one mistake
Then I won't feel the way I do
And I'll say it's fate
But this emotion
I keep tryin' to leave behind
Keeps getting closer
Don't know where to run this time
I feel weak,
I'm never weak
I always know what to say
Don't look at me
I can't speak
How did you get to me this way?
All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me
(All I know is what I feel)
I feel weak,
I'm never weak
I always know what to say
Don't look at me
I can't speak
How did you get to me this way?
All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me
(All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me)
And take my distance as a sign
There's only one heart
That's confused
And it's most likely mine
I always make the rules
And I change 'em all the time
Always stayed a step ahead
'Til you looked into my eyes
My thoughts are frozen
Can't you hear me
Screaming inside
As you come closer
Don't know where to run this time
I feel weak,
I'm never weak
I always know what to say
Don't look at me
I can't speak
How did you get to me this way?
All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me
It could be so easy
If you'd make just one mistake
Then I won't feel the way I do
And I'll say it's fate
But this emotion
I keep tryin' to leave behind
Keeps getting closer
Don't know where to run this time
I feel weak,
I'm never weak
I always know what to say
Don't look at me
I can't speak
How did you get to me this way?
All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me
(All I know is what I feel)
I feel weak,
I'm never weak
I always know what to say
Don't look at me
I can't speak
How did you get to me this way?
All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me
(All I know is what I feel
And what I feel is way too real
Who I am is what you see
Baby how did you ever get to me
Ever get to me, ever get to me)
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