I Rock
Open Mike Eagle Lyrics
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'Cause I can't rap for my job, job, job, job, job
I'd quit this bullshit
But I can't live like a slob, slob, slob, slob, slob
The way I want to baby
Swimming in hip-hop-hip-hop-hip
I want to sing for you and show you how I rock
My situation's kinda dire
Because I'm one of the livest rhymers
That's also a nine-to-fiver
(I gotta wait until nighttime)
To rhyme in ciphers
My supervisor's always asking why my eyes are tired
I thank God I'm not a firefighter
'Cause every morning I drink coffee
'Til I'm nice and wired
It keeps me up until lunchtime
And then I eat but the Niggeritis is unkind
I fell asleep at a red light one time
In front of middle schoolers on an afternoon bus ride
I'm unsigned
So that's how it is sometimes
Wishing I could punch my card with a punch line
Every night something's crackin'
From regular grungy rapping
To underground funk and dancing
I put my best foot first
On Monday nights with Blaque Whole Suns at the Good Hurt
I go to work then I rap at night
And so my Tuesday appetite's satisfied at Raggsta Nites
I've seen more rump than an ass doctor
On Wednesday nights with Tommy Blak at the Grasshopper
Or I could roll to the Lower End
If I can't pay the toll
I gotta ask No again
(Thursday's work day)
You already knowing kid
I'm a J.U.I.C.E. board member and a Blowedian
My Friday night yearning hunger
Is curbed with serving suckers and herbs at the Urban Underground
Hear the sound of a tired rapper
(Down the street in Chinatown at the Firecracker)
The lyrics to “I Rock” by Open Mike Eagle are an expression of the artist’s frustration with not being able to make a living from his love for hip-hop. He finds it insulting that he can’t make a career out of rapping, but can’t quit his day job because he doesn’t want to live like a slob. The rapper expresses his desires to sing and rock the stage but laments that he is stuck in a situation where he has to work a “9 to 5,” and management always inquires why he’s tired all the time. Mike Eagle acknowledges that his dreams of fame and success in the music industry remain unfulfilled. However, he continues to pursue his passion by performing at different bars and clubs at night.
The lyrics also show how the rapper's weekly schedule revolves around performing at different places during the evenings. He raps at Blaque Whole Suns on Monday nights, Raggsta Nites on Tuesdays, Grasshopper on Wednesdays, and Urban Underground on Friday nights. Mike says his love for hip-hop is limited to these nights because he has to work for the rest of the week. Despite the fatigue from his day job, the rapper's passion for music keeps him going every night as he strives to make hip-hop his full-time job.
In summary, the lyrics emphasize the struggles that come with balancing passion and work. It shows how Mike Eagle has had to deal with the unfulfilled desire to make hip-hop his full-time job, doing it as a side job. The song highlights how one can be passionate about chasing a dream but still struggle to make ends meet, a relatable experience for many.
Line by Line Meaning
It is insulting
The current situation is hurtful and disrespectful
'Cause I can't rap for my job, job, job, job, job
I cannot perform rap as part of my job
I'd quit this bullshit
I want to stop working in this industry
But I can't live like a slob, slob, slob, slob, slob
I cannot afford to live a life of poverty
The way I want to baby
I desire to live a certain lifestyle
Swimming in hip-hop-hip-hop-hip
Fully immersed in the culture of hip hop
I want to sing for you and show you how I rock
I want to perform and showcase my skills
My situation's kinda dire
My current situation is not ideal
Because I'm one of the livest rhymers
I am an extremely skilled rapper
That's also a nine-to-fiver
But I have a regular day job
(I gotta wait until nighttime)
I have to wait until I am off work
To rhyme in ciphers
To engage in rap battles with others
My supervisor's always asking why my eyes are tired
My boss is curious why I am often fatigued
I thank God I'm not a firefighter
I am grateful to not have a more physically demanding job
'Cause every morning I drink coffee
I consume caffeine to stay awake
'Til I'm nice and wired
Until I am alert
It keeps me up until lunchtime
The caffeine sustains me until midday
And then I eat but the N*****itis is unkind
But then I feel tired again after eating
I fell asleep at a red light one time
I once fell asleep while driving in traffic
In front of middle schoolers on an afternoon bus ride
Surrounded by school children on a bus
I'm unsigned
I do not have a record label contract
So that's how it is sometimes
That's just how things go
Wishing I could punch my card with a punch line
Wishing my passion for rap could be my career
Every night something's crackin'
Every night something exciting is happening
From regular grungy rapping
From basic, underground rap battles
To underground funk and dancing
To a more lively, soulful atmosphere
I put my best foot first
I give my all in every performance
On Monday nights with Blaque Whole Suns at the Good Hurt
I perform with a group on Monday nights at a venue called Good Hurt
I go to work then I rap at night
I perform at night after my day job
And so my Tuesday appetite's satisfied at Raggsta Nites
On Tuesdays, I satisfy my craving for rap battles
I've seen more rump than an ass doctor
I have seen a lot of women's behinds
On Wednesday nights with Tommy Blak at the Grasshopper
I perform with a group on Wednesday nights at the Grasshopper venue
Or I could roll to the Lower End
I could go to a different area of town
If I can't pay the toll
If I don't have enough money for the entrance fee
I gotta ask No again
I have to decline the opportunity
(Thursday's work day)
My day job is on Thursdays
You already knowing kid
You already know
I'm a J.U.I.C.E. board member and a Blowedian
I am a member of two different hip hop organizations
My Friday night yearning hunger
My desire for Friday night performances
Is curbed with serving suckers and herbs at the Urban Underground
I perform on Friday nights at the Urban Underground
Hear the sound of a tired rapper
Hear the sound of an exhausted musician
(Down the street in Chinatown at the Firecracker)
Performing on the street in Chinatown at a venue called Firecracker
Contributed by Elijah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.