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Penitentiary Philosophy
Erykah Badu Lyrics


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Here's my philosophy
Livin' in a penitentiary
Brothers all on the corner
Tryin' to make believe
Turn around ain't got no pot to pee make me
Mad, when I see ya sad
Can't stand to see ya hustle' doin' bad
But you, can't win when your will is weak
When you're, knocked on the ground

Evil, don't you test me
Evil, You won't win

Oh, why, world, why world? (Aah)
Do you want me to be so mad? (Aah), yeah
So mad, yeah
Oh, why, world, why world? (Aah)
Do you wan' see mama mad? (Aah), yeah
So mad, ay

I'm tellin' you the truth, I hope I'm not being too cruel
Since you ain't playing by the rules (ay ay)
I'm 'bout to kick you off your stool (ooh yeah, ooh ooh, oh, oh)

Evil, don't you test me
Evil, You won't win

Oh why, why, why world?
Do you want me to be so mad? Yeah
So mad, yeah
Why in the world, world, why world?
Do you want me be so mad? Yeah
Say why

(La la la) I, am a warrior princess
I have come from the other sun
(La la la) gather all of your members
Unite them as one
(La la la) move together in harmony
(Ooh) build a bridge, now destroy a bridge (la, la)
Eliminate your weakness
(La, la, la) conquer evil, the demon
(La, la) and live forever (and ever)
(La, la) together (ooh)

Oh why can't we get along and
Take all the funky tones
And make up a funky song
That be bangin' on and on
Make me, mad when I see ya sad
With the same look ya momma had
But ya can't win when your will is weak
But ya get out ya seat

Oh why, why, why you want me to be so mad? Yeah
So mad, yeah
Why in the world, world, why why you want me to be so mad? (Why?)
So mad, yeah
Why in the world, world, why world, do you want me to be so mad? Yeah
So mad
Why in the world, world (aah), why world, (aah) do you wan' see me so mad? Yeah, ay
Oh Ah! Make me, (aah) make me, make me, make me, (aah) make me, make me, oh why
Why in the
Why yeah (aah), why yeah, why yeah (aah), why oh, yeah

Overall Meaning

In "Penitentiary Philosophy", Erykah Badu discusses societal issues and the struggle of living in a world where oppression and corruption are rampant. Using metaphors of living in a prison, she speaks about the difficulties people face when trying to survive and make their way in the world. She understands the desperation and dire circumstances that lead people to unethical decisions, but she also implores them to be honest and learn to resist temptation.


Badu speaks to those who are struggling and doing whatever it takes to survive. She sympathizes with those who are living in poverty and have to resort to illegal actions to be able to eat and take care of themselves. She wants them to know that she sees them and understands their pain. She also urges them to be strong and not give in to the evil forces that try to pull them down. She believes that if people stay true to their values and stand up for what is right, they will ultimately come out on top.


Overall, "Penitentiary Philosophy" is a powerful commentary on social injustice and the importance of resistance against oppressive forces that seek to bring people down. Badu’s lyrics are poignant and heartfelt, and her message resonates strongly with those who have experienced the struggles of poverty and oppression firsthand.


Line by Line Meaning

Here's my philosophy
Erykah Badu is about to share her viewpoint on life with the listener


Livin' in a penitentiary
Life can feel like a prison, trapping people in tough situations


Brothers all on the corner
People in disadvantaged communities often have few options besides idle socializing


Tryin' to make believe
People may pretend they're satisfied with their lot despite ongoing hardship


Turn around ain't got no pot to pee make me
It's frustrating and maddening to see people struggle to obtain basic necessities


Mad, when I see ya sad
It upsets Badu to see people in despair


Can't stand to see ya hustle' doin' bad
Badu can't bear to watch people's efforts to better themselves fail


But you, can't win when your will is weak
Success requires a strong and determined willpower


When you're, knocked on the ground
It's difficult to stand back up after being knocked down by circumstances


Evil, don't you test me
Badu is warning any negative forces to stay clear of her path


Evil, You won't win
Badu is confident that she will overcome any adversity that comes her way


Oh, why, world, why world? (Aah)
Badu is despairing in the face of so much negative influence in society


Do you want me to be so mad? (Aah), yeah
Badu is questioning why there is so much injustice and difficulty in the world


So mad, yeah
Badu's exasperation is causing her to feel angry and frustrated


I'm tellin' you the truth, I hope I'm not being too cruel
Badu is sharing her honest thoughts but doesn't want to come across as insensitive


Since you ain't playing by the rules (ay ay)
Certain people or circumstances may not be following proper protocols, leading to difficulties


I'm 'bout to kick you off your stool (ooh yeah, ooh ooh, oh, oh)
Badu is taking a combative stance toward those who are not abiding by the rules


I am a warrior princess
Badu sees herself as strong and capable of facing and defeating adversity


I have come from the other sun
Badu may feel like she's on an entirely different level from the negative influences in the world


gather all of your members
Badu is encouraging people to come together and form a united front


Unite them as one
Badu sees strength in numbers and cohesion among people fighting for a cause


move together in harmony
People who are fighting for change should work cohesively and cooperatively with one another


build a bridge, now destroy a bridge
Sometimes it's necessary to bridge gaps and sometimes it's necessary to burn bridges and separate oneself from negativity


Eliminate your weakness
Badu believes that people must identify and overcome their own weaknesses to truly overcome obstacles


conquer evil, the demon
Badu is invoking the idea of defeating an abstract opponent or institution that is causing damage


and live forever (and ever)
Those who do the hard work of fighting for what is right make a lasting impact


Oh why can't we get along and
Badu laments the fact that different groups can't seem to work together effectively


Take all the funky tones
Badu wants to harness the unique and diverse elements of society and make something beautiful out of them


And make up a funky song
Creating something new and beautiful out of different influences can provide a sense of unity and joy


That be bangin' on and on
Art and music can help to unite people and keep them energized and motivated


With the same look ya momma had
Badu sees the same suffering and struggle passed down through generations, and it pains her


But ya get out ya seat
Badu is encouraging listeners to rise up and act against negativity and injustice


Why in the world, world (aah), why world, (aah) do you wan' see me so mad? Yeah, ay
Badu continues to question why the world is so full of hardship and injustice


Oh Ah! Make me, (aah) make me, make me, make me, (aah) make me, make me, oh why
Badu appears to be emphasizing her frustration and anger with the repetition of these lines


Why in the
Badu's questioning is ongoing


Why yeah (aah), why yeah, why yeah (aah), why oh, yeah
The repetition of this questioning suggests a deep well of frustration and anger that Badu is tapping into




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Erica Wright, Ahmir K. Thompson, Pino Palladino, James Jason Poyser

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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