connecting*the*dots

48 Responses to “Lyricist Wednesday: Can’t Hold Us Back”  

1. 1 Navaho Gunleg Apr 5th, 2006 at 12:38 pm

   Another ‘wicked’ pick — excellent strong chorus and in other ways a very strong production (the samped speeches for instance).

   When I first heard it carefully, while driving to work the ending actually made me feel good and pretty sad at the same time. That is a strong speech, indeed.

   Man us white folk are really out to exploit and mess up everything that we come in contact with. Sad thing is that it sometimes looks as if there is no positive outcome, and that’s dangerous because hopelessness might cause people to give up the fight entirely. (And that is true for civil rights in general. If we don’t stop it now it will never stop but I bet many people have been saying that in the past, up to ancient times.)

   BTW I can’t figure out what’s yelled at the end exactly either after the “What time is it?!”. Something is said but can’t understand it. Your Lyricist Wednessday always enlighten me when I read I have misheard lyrics all that time, you know me being Dutch and all, its sometimes hard to correctly interpret, in the geste of ‘Excuse me while I kiss this guy’ in Jimi Hendrix song, not that I really always heard that, LOL, but that’s the only example I could quickly think of. ;)

2. 2 Sean Coon Apr 5th, 2006 at 1:18 pm

   you gotta get the cheese out of your ears, navaho ;-) no, i couldn’t quite make out what the crowd said back to farrakhan jackson (as well as a couple of other spots in his speech). if anyone knows, please drop it here in the comments and i’ll update the lyrics.

   as for the white folk thing, well, i try to point a finger at the powerful and the corrupt; the bloodsuckers of the meak. the numbers paint a very white picture, but corruption doesn’t have a skin color or hold a particular political affiliation, you know? if we were talking about the explicit roots of capitalism and it’s systemic evils of marketing, propaganda, union-busting, etc., well, i’m positive *that* conversation would point to us folk of a lighter shade, but that conversation can only last so long…

   corrupt systems are already in place, so we have to ask ourselves:

   • do we man up and tackle these evils together, trying to better our communities across racial and economic divides? or
   • do we spend time and energy pointing out where they originated — applying a strawman “white” person to blame — and lose sight of the present day situations and opportunities for positive change in the process?

   there’s a need for well-rounded historical accuracy, but it can’t be our driving force, otherwise, we’ll never be able to elicit positive change. we need to install systems of absolute transparency — from politics to government to media to corporations — and accountability will follow; the degree to which individuals participate in these 2.0 systems will ensure it.

3. 3 texastentialist Apr 5th, 2006 at 1:45 pm

   my newest favorire statement song you can dance to:

   Stupid Girls - Pink

   Stupid girl, stupid girls, stupid girls
   Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back
   What a paparazzi girl, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl

   Go to Fred Segal, you’ll find them there
   Laughing loud so all the little people stare
   Looking for a daddy to pay for the champagne
   (Drop a name)
   What happened to the dreams of a girl president
   She’s dancing in the video next to 50 Cent
   They travel in packs of two or three
   With their itsy bitsy doggies and their teeny-weeny tees
   Where, oh where, have the smart people gone?
   Oh where, oh where could they be?

   Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back
   What a paparazzi girl, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl
   Baby if I act like that, flipping my blonde hair back
   Push up my bra like that, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl

   (Break it down now)
   Disease’s growing, it’s epidemic
   I’m scared that there ain’t a cure
   The world believes it and I’m going crazy
   I cannot take any more
   I’m so glad that I’ll never fit in
   That will never be me
   Outcasts and girls with ambition
   That’s what I wanna see
   Disasters all around
   World despaired
   Their only concern
   Will they **** up my hair

   Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back
   What a paparazzi girl, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl
   Baby if I act like that, flipping my blonde hair back
   Push up my bra like that, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl

   [Interlude]
   Oh my god you guys, I totally had more that 300 calories
   That was so not sexy, no
   Good one, can I borrow that?
   [Vomits]
   I WILL BE SKINNY

   (Do ya thing, do ya thing, do ya thing)
   (I like this, like this, like this)
   Pretty will you **** me girl, silly as a lucky girl
   Pull my head and suck it girl, stupid girl!
   Pretty would you **** me girl, silly as a lucky girl
   Pull my head and suck it girl, stupid girl!

   Baby if I act like that, flipping my blonde hair back
   Push up my bra like that, stupid girl!

   Maybe if I act like that, that guy will call me back
   What a paparazzi girl, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl
   Baby if I act like that, flipping my blonde hair back
   Push up my bra like that, I don’t wanna be a stupid girl

4. 4 Navaho Gunleg Apr 5th, 2006 at 2:05 pm

   Corruption is indeed a dangerous virus, regardless of race. Of course, I do see that.

   Unfortunately, I have grown into referring to capatalism and all its evils as the ‘white’ thing. Yeah, like yelling bullshit for the sake of it — consiously provoking people that hear it to have a moment of, how you say, retrospection and think “Yeh, we really did some nasty stuff”.

   texastentialist: I incidentally seen an interview with her on BBC. Seems she’s not as dumb as I initially thought. ;) Although not really my type of music, the song’s topic is good, nowadays its a good thing that women get remembered that they shouldn’t act as silly as some do, you know, plastic churgery, acting like a prototype ho’ for the attention and/or just for the heck of it, and just act their own self. As should everybody for that matter.

5. 5 texastentialist Apr 5th, 2006 at 2:16 pm

   Navaho, yeah usually not my cup-o-joe either, but as a gfather of a 5-year-old daughter I’m digging the girl-power vibe.

   Pink’s got some sweet tats too!

6. 6 Sean Coon Apr 5th, 2006 at 2:20 pm

   i’m a closet fan of pink. i dig her POV and swagger (well, to be completely honest, her chisled abs as well)..

7. 7 Ginger Bush Apr 5th, 2006 at 7:17 pm

   Advocating violence isn’t cool Sean, shame on you.

8. 8 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 2:09 am

   you stop watching late night tv and rated R movies, and i’ll stop listening to music.

   deal?

9. 9 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 10:43 am

   Nice hedge, Sean.

   I rarely watch late night TV and I don’t care for violence in movies either.

   As I said, advocating violence isn’t cool.

10. 10 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 10:48 am

    you read that post and think i’m advocating violence, while others read it and think i’m advocating something else. i’m not in the business of censorship. deal with it.

11. 11 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 10:52 am

    Nice hedge, Sean.

    I rarely watch late night TV and I don’t care for violence in movies either.

    As I said, advocating violence isn’t cool. The Nation of Islam is listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (I am renewing my membership) as a black seperatist group, and
    Farrakhan heads that, doesn’t he?

12. 12 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 10:56 am

    before we get into a debate larger than the lyrics themselves (this is a post on Lyricist Wednesday, afterall), let me ask you, what part of Farrakhan’s speech do you find violent? also, have you even listened to the song as Navaho has?

13. 13 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 11:22 am

    Looking to hear back from you on this.

14. 14 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 11:25 am

    I don’t find his speech violent, I find the lyrics following it violent. SPLC lists the Nation of Islam as blacl seperatists-a hate group. Do you agree or disagree with that?

15. 15 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 11:29 am

    before i address *anything* outside the actual lyrics, please answer my question. i will get into the larger conversation once you answer me.

16. 16 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 11:32 am

    I already answered it, Sean, see above.

17. 17 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 11:44 am

    ok, we need to slow down. we’re turning this comment area into an IM chat ;)

    i’m glad you don’t find the lyrics themselves to be violent (i don’t know what “lyrics following it” means). but with your logic, you’re basically saying anyone that posts something that contains louis farrakhan speaking is advocating violence. i completeley disagree.

    is this post regarding the passing of rosa parks advocating violence? are the dignitaries present advocating violence because they are in the presence of farrakhan?

    read the post and listen to the speech and then make up your own mind regarding farrakhan. frankly, i couldn’t care less what the SPLC thinks.

18. 18 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 11:46 am

    Your question: What part of Farrakhan’s speech do you find violent?

    My answer: I don’t find his speech violent, I find the lyrics following it violent.

    I’ve heard parts of the song before.

19. 19 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 12:12 pm

    Boy, you do love to twist words, Sean. I didn’t say that
    I don’t find the lyrics violent.

    I don’t find Farrakhan’s speech violent. In some of the lyrics following it I find violence advocated.

    So you can’t twist this around again, for clarification, in some of the following lyrics I find violence advocated.

    [PE]
    We spit flows on foes
    Listen to the message that ya never know
    Got a plan for the man and it’s federal
    The rhyme animal, back to play the part again
    Clear the madness - and put the message in

    D the enemy is back to rip the mic
    We come together - so don’t believe the hype
    Check my tone it’s a war here at home
    We united and strong - and never move alone

    We rep justice, equality and freedom now
    Put fam first, man woman and child
    Never mild keep it hostile ’till we raise
    Where we say what we mean and we mean what we say

    It’s been a long time coming that we mob as one
    Guerrilla funk, hard truth nigga, that’s what’s up
    No peace on the street ’till the justice come
    From the ballot to the bullet, if it’s on, it’s on

    Chorus:
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, see
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, believe
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, my brother
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, that’s real talk on the one

    Yo I’m a target I got proof, my building got an ‘X’ on it
    Bloomberg threw the hex on it,
    It’s like a pistol with effects on it
    On a nigga with arrest warrants

    Hittin’ pigs in they in they chest quadrant where they vest wasn’t
    Now he dead cousin
    All you snitches hit the red buttons, we some Uncle-Tom killas
    Mini-nina concealers, political cap-peelers for this freedom fo’ rilla

    Yo if police stop the whip you got to eat them trees
    I ain’t got no ‘G’ to give to these crackers and court fees
    You know my steez, security first, prepare for the worst
    Never caught slippin’ if you stay on alert

    Malcolm X said send send ‘em to the cemetery if they touch you
    A revolutionary virtue - a dull blade’ll hurt you
    I’m up early workin’ my machete
    In war, it ain’t no warning, you just got to be ready

    Chorus:
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, my nigga
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, my nigga
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, you see
    I ain’t lettin nothin hold me back or block me,
    they gon’ have to pop me to stop me, yeah

    It’s bigger than rap-
    You really think you gon’ be left alone
    On sayin’ that you believe and ain’t gon’ have to get your scrap on?
    Then yap on, and we’ll see if that’s the right route
    While I get my clap on and turn snitches lights out

    I tried to be nice, now we gon’ have to bleed ‘em
    I’m willing to do a killin’ for the price of freedom
    Comin’ from the left, nigga, hood is how we kept it
    So prison or death is just something I done accepted

    So we’ll murder a snake, and we’ll kill a skunk
    This ain’t the word of a fake, it’s Guerrilla Funk
    So right now is the time and your turf’s the location
    Y’all about to see the Rebirth Of a Nation

    Even if some got de-rebelized
    The revolution still will not be televised
    U.S. Government tellin’ hella lies
    And it’s evident when you look in this president’s devil eyes”

    You wrote that I was “basically saying anyone that posts something that contains louis farrakhan speaking is advocating violence”. I said, nor meant, any such thing.

    Take that blame finger you once posted Sean, stand in front of it, and think about it.

20. 20 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 12:17 pm

    ok, first of all, my bad. it wasn’t farrakhan. it was jesse jackson. funny how that changes the conversation, eh?

    secondly, how are these lyrics not a reflection of our society? no, i’m not simply talking about black culture or the experience of living on the streets, i’m talking about our government’s involvement in global warfare, you know, where people are killed left and right at the drop of a dime? how do these two cultural realities cross over one another?

    that’s what i hear when the song plays. i’m not advocating anything except for listening.

21. 21 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 12:23 pm

    and ginger, i wasn’t trying to twist your words. you brought the focus of the conversation to farrakhan, so i read “lyrics following” as some kind of reference to the idea of what farrakhan represents in your and the SPLC’s mind. that was an honest mistake. please forgive me for my misunderstanding.

22. 22 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 12:31 pm

    You haven’t addressed the black seperatism issue as it relates to the Nation of Islam and Farrakhan, which is what I thought of when I read his name.

23. 23 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 12:35 pm

    well, since it was jesse jackson framing the song and i addressed my feeling towards farrakhan a few comments back, i don’t think we have much left to talk about.

24. 24 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 1:02 pm

    In other words: this isn’t an issue I want to get into, or make my views on it public. It gives you an out not to continue the conversation that began when you attributed the speech to him.

    How do you feel about black seperatism and the Nation of Islam, Sean?

25. 25 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 1:12 pm

    you’re a real card, ginger.

    not only did i apologize for misrepresenting your words — explaining exactly how i misunderstand your rejection of this week’s post — but i gave you and anyone else more than enough information regarding my feelings towards farrakhan by pointing you to one of my own posts on the subject.

    you then come back at me without even pausing to accept my honest mistake (nice) and then put words into my mouth in some kind of lame attempt to bait me.

    if you take 15 minutes and go read the post / watch the speech, i’ll be more than happy to engage in much more open, transparent, public dialog with you regarding farrakhan or any other topic.

26. 26 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 1:22 pm

    The focus of the conversation was on advocating violence and Farrakhan. How do you feel about black seperatism and the Nation of Islam, Sean?

    “it was jesse jackson. funny how that changes the conversation, eh?”

    Funny how you want that to change the conversation.

27. 27 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 1:30 pm

    it feels like i’m speaking with a brick wall.

    at that point in time — when i made that comment — i was still under the impression that your reference of “lyrics following” spoke to something that farrakhan represented and not the actual lyrics of the song, you can’t see how i actually found it funny that it was really jesse jackson who was sampled giving that speech?

    probably not.

    i’m not trying to change the conversation. i never have and never will. like i said, go read that post and listen to the speech and i’ll be more than happy to talk about whatever your heart desires. if you don’t feel like investing the time in understanding my perspective, why should i waste my time in elucidating more?

28. 28 texastentialist Apr 6th, 2006 at 2:00 pm

    If we just ignore violence I bet it will simply splice itself out of our reptilian cortex…

    Or and the Reverand MM would say…

    “The Beautiful People”

    I don’t want you and I don’t need you
    Don’t bother to resist, I’ll beat you
    It’s not your fault that you’re always wrong
    The weak ones are there to justify the strong

    The beautiful people, the beautiful people
    It’s all relative to the size of your steeple
    You can’t see the forest for the trees
    You can’t smell your own shit on your knees

    There’s no time to discriminate,
    Hate every motherfucker
    That’s in your way

    [Chorus:]
    Hey you, what do you see?
    Something beautiful, something free?
    Hey you, are you trying to be mean?
    If you live with apes man, it’s hard to be clean

    The worms will live in every host
    It’s hard to pick which one they eat most

    The horrible people, the horrible people
    It’s as anatomic as the size of your steeple
    Capitalism has made it this way,
    Old-fashioned fascism will take it away

    [Chorus]

    There’s no time to discriminate,
    Hate every motherfucker
    That’s in your way

    The beautiful people
    The beautiful people (aahh)

29. 29 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 2:03 pm

    I do forgive you Sean, and I accept your apology. I should have said so before.

    I do not know a lot about Farrakhan. I had heard he was a black seperatist and that he leads the Nation of Islam.
    The Nation of Islam is listed as a hate group by the SPLC.

    It is not right to judge others and advocate against them on the basis of what is heard.

30. 30 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 2:19 pm

    apologies accepted accross the board.

    (phew!)

    the nation of islam were strong advocates of black separation, especially in the 60’s and 70’s. malcolm x was probably murdered for moving away from this very same hardline stance he fostered throughout the 60’s.

    farrakhan has a very checkered past. he was a primetime, fellow minister with malcolm x in the nation of islam and was rumored to have a hand in his assasination. even placing the time period of the 60’s into context as the tinder, farrakhan’s past rhetoric of religous and racial divisions will always haunt him. his speech as rosa park’s funeral was magnificent, but no one will ever know for sure if he has actually changed his positions or is just toning down his rhetoric in this information age.

    but i take the same approach that you mention, and attempt to listen to people before advocating against them or their positions. i first took that opportunity when i was 18 years old and listened to farrakhan speak. no one else of a fair complexion on campus did the same. instead, they protested outside the event, pointing to a floating quote here and there as proof of his devilish nature.

    do as you would have done unto you, right?

31. 31 lil coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 2:22 pm

    “Yeahhhhh Booooyyy!!!!”

    -Flavor Flav

32. 32 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 2:27 pm

    “Flavooor Flaaaaav!!!!”

    -Flavor Flav

33. 33 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 7:01 pm

    That’s the golden rule.

    So, in your opinion, what does the Nation of Islam stand for today?

34. 34 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 7:04 pm

    And, are you telling me that you didn’t already know where the SPLC stood on it?

35. 35 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 7:07 pm

    You still haven’t given your opinion him, just shared a narrative about him.

36. 36 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 7:10 pm

    I’ll try that again. You still haven’t given your opinion, just shared a narrative about him.

37. 37 Ginger Bush Apr 6th, 2006 at 7:39 pm

    And do you think that shows you are a violent person, Sean, bacause you listen to and enjoy this kind of music?

38. 38 Sean Coon Apr 6th, 2006 at 8:50 pm

    ginger… you’re leaving comments as if i’m glued to my computer. get a friggin’ life.

    1) i had never even heard of the SPLC before you mentioned them on this thread. sorry to disappoint.

    2) i have no idea what the nation of islam stands for today. i shared with you all that i know.

    3) my “narrative” is my opinion. i don’t know if farrakhan truly has moved from his divisive rhetoric to an inclusive perspective. if he has, then i’m into listening to what he has to say. if not, then i’m not. but all of this is moot because JESSE JACKSON WAS THE DUDE WITH THE FRIGGIN’ QUOTE!

    4) you think i’m a violent person because i listen to this type of music. what do i think? i think you’re an idiot.

    now go find someone else to bother.

39. 39 Ginger Bush Apr 7th, 2006 at 7:28 am

    Sean,

    1. I didn’t expect instant answers Sean, I was just posting as thoughts came. Calm down.

    2. I appreciate you sharing with me what you know about
    Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.

    3. Your opinion read like a narrative. It didn’t say I beleive that, or I think this, until it got to the point where you said you take the same approach I mention, and that is it’s not right to judge others and advocate against them on the basis of what is heard.

    4.There is no need to degenerate to name calling, especially after saying appologies were accepted across the board.

    5.I didn’t say you were a violent person Sean. What I said was do you think that (listening to this kind of music)
    shows you are a violent person, in other words, because you listen to and enjoy this kind of music? I don’t.

    Hope you have a good day

40. 40 lil coon Apr 7th, 2006 at 9:54 am

    Ginger Bush? Sounds like an edible panty wear. You better watch out… I love me some gansta rap, the more i misspell and incorrect grammar i plasate I be most dangerous cracker since Al B Sure. Now step off this comment line and got get some more breast milk from your precious SPLC.

    Violence

    lil coon

41. 41 Sean Coon Apr 7th, 2006 at 10:01 am

    thank you coon, for making my week. haha!

42. 42 texastentialist Apr 7th, 2006 at 1:03 pm

    you Coon boys are a pair, I’ll tells ya!

43. 43 Ginger Bush Apr 7th, 2006 at 1:24 pm

    Welcome, Greensboro, to the Coon family.

44. 44 Sean Coon Apr 7th, 2006 at 1:30 pm

    welcome, ginger, to being the first banned commenter on my blog in over 6 years of blogging.

    congratulations.

    take your indecipherable baiting elsewhere, please.

45. 45 lil coon Apr 7th, 2006 at 1:49 pm

    You best believe it honey… And Greensboro has embraced me with open arms, a beautiful wife, a great job and loyal friends for life. And I love it here, and I love you too Spice girl.
    I’m listening to Yani now how can i be cruel?

46. 46 texastentialist Apr 7th, 2006 at 3:59 pm

    Yanni is cruelty personafied…

47. 47 Sean Coon Apr 7th, 2006 at 6:17 pm

    Just so everyone is clear, I’ve added a “House Rules” section to the blog.

    For the time being, Ginger has been banned and Andy — my brother and best friend, who apparently didn’t appreciate the baiting and prodding from Ginger either — has agreed to participate in the future with a bit more… how do you say… decorum?

    Ok, back to real life.

48. 48 Billy The Blogging Poet Apr 8th, 2006 at 2:46 pm

    Good word. ;-)