[Guru]
You know sometimes I be lookin' through the darkness
Tryin' to find the light
Tryin' to do what's right with all my might

[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, I'm lookin', lookin' at you)
Lookin' through the darkness
(I see you lookin' at me; whatcha want to do?)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Here we go; take a walk with me)
(Lookin' through the darkness
Check it out now, now, now, now, now, now)

[Guru]
Now, as I peer through the window of gloom, and everyday living
And all the hardships one faces to make you give in
I dig more intensely, finding greater strength
A lot of heads is empty
I've got a greater rank
Than emcees not aware of situations
That'll force one to understand true stipulations
Thou shalt not bite
Thou shalt not front
Fake it if you want, but for the battles I've come, 'cause I'm...

[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, I'm lookin' out, lookin' at you)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Lookin' at me; my style is free; do you want to be?)

[Guru]
For me this rap life is real life
I don't have to create some false image to make the crowd get hyped
Too many children get the wrong message from clowns that walk around
Hopelessly lost, thinkin' that they're the boss
They're in a daze, while dope emcees don't get the front page
Me - I try to channel my rage
As I travel through the city regularly
Turning the anger and frustration straight into energy
Yes, you will remember me as the brother who cared
To dare to step up, with his soul bared
But never fearing 'cause I've got instructions
From Him, to go and fight the corruption, so I'm...

[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(I've got to look through it, try to, try to find the light)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Uh, maintainin')

[Guru]
My granddaddy always told me to keep the light shining
So as my mic illuminates, you can feel the state that I'm in
Thoroughly immersed in a verse; way more than hardcore
I endure 'cause in myself I'm secure
Delivering syllables and selections with profound perfection
Comin' back like the resurrection
In this session, I'm professin', that those who don't
Hear and understand, never loved me, and so I planned
To take a stand, as one who is firmly focused
Plus I'm mad worthy with words
I rock from East New York all the way to the suburbs
The lightkeeper, knowledge seeker
I switch the stress that's on my mind
Into the voice that rocks your speaker
And I get deeper than the ocean when I'm...

[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, I'm lookin' through it)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Ain't nothing to it but to do it
Gotta freak it, now let me freak it; check it out)
Lookin' through the darkness
(All my life)
(Lookin' through the darkness
Yeah, ohh yeah)

[Guru]
Yo, I'm so ill, I go ill, when beats with jazz
Fill my need to express myself; like the blues, I can't lose
Weak emcees - they're seekin' refuge
From my barrage; there's no rescue
Then I look through the madness, finding sanity
I'm crazy alert; I never swim in vanity
I do this rap stuff every year
Aiyyo, peace to my fam, especially my man, Premier, as I'm...

[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Yeah, lookin' out to the wilderness)
Lookin' through the darkness
(The jungle, uhh; everybody's got to rumble)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Lookin' through the darkness)

[Mica Paris] (Guru)
Lookin' through the darkness
Lookin' through the darkness
(Got to find my way; doin' my own thing)
Lookin' through the darkness
(Walkin' through the darkness)
Got to find a way
Got to get, got to get it on
(Can you see the light?)
Got to get, got to get, got to get it on
(Peace aight)
Lookin' through the darkness
Lookin' through the darkness
Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on
Lookin' through the darkness
Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on
Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on

Overall Meaning

The song 'Looking Through Darkness' is a powerful collaboration between British soul singer Mica Paris and rapper Guru. The lyrics revolve around the struggle to find meaning and purpose in life amidst the challenges and obstacles we face as human beings. The use of the metaphor of 'looking through the darkness' paints a vivid picture of the search for light and hope in a world that can seem bleak and hopeless at times.

Guru's verses in the song are particularly powerful. He speaks of the importance of staying true to oneself and not getting caught up in the false images and illusions that many people create for themselves in order to be accepted or validated by others. He emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and finding one's own path in life, even if it means going against the grain or facing opposition from others.

Mica Paris's soulful vocals add a hauntingly beautiful quality to the song, emphasizing the emotion and sincerity of the lyrics. The combination of her voice and Guru's rap creates a powerful contrast that highlights the depth and complexity of the song's message. Overall, 'Looking Through Darkness' is a song that speaks to the struggles, doubts, and fears that we all face as human beings, and offers a message of hope and courage in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

You know sometimes I be lookin' through the darkness
I try to navigate through difficult times and situations

Tryin' to find the light
In search for hope and positivity

Tryin' to do what's right with all my might
Putting all my efforts in making good choices and actions

Lookin' through the darkness
Searching for a path amidst darkness and uncertainty

Now, as I peer through the window of gloom, and everyday living
Examining life's hardships and challenges

A lot of heads is empty I've got a greater rank Than emcees not aware of situations
Many people lack awareness and understanding, and I consider myself to have a higher rank because of my knowledge

Thou shalt not bite Thou shalt not front Fake it if you want, but for the battles I've come, 'cause I'm...
You should be true to yourself and not pretend, as I strive to be genuine and authentic

For me this rap life is real life I don't have to create some false image to make the crowd get hyped
My rap persona is a reflection of my true self and I don't need to create a false image to impress others

Too many children get the wrong message from clowns that walk around
Many kids are misled by fake and insincere people

Me - I try to channel my rage As I travel through the city regularly Turning the anger and frustration straight into energy
I try to redirect my negative emotions into action for positive change

But never fearing 'cause I've got instructions From Him, to go and fight the corruption, so I'm...
I am guided by a higher power to fight against injustice and corruption

My granddaddy always told me to keep the light shining So as my mic illuminates, you can feel the state that I'm in
My grandfather taught me to stay positive and hopeful, and I reflect that in my music

Delivering syllables and selections with profound perfection Comin' back like the resurrection
I take pride in my craft and strive for excellence, like a metaphorical rebirth

As one who is firmly focused Plus I'm mad worthy with words I rock from East New York all the way to the suburbs
I am determined and talented, and my music resonates with people from different backgrounds and areas

Then I look through the madness, finding sanity I'm crazy alert; I never swim in vanity
I find clarity and purpose amidst chaos, and I try not to succumb to ego and selfishness

Yo, I'm so ill, I go ill, when beats with jazz Fill my need to express myself; like the blues, I can't lose
I am passionate and skilled with music, especially with jazzy beats that allow me to express myself like the blues

Peace to my fam, especially my man, Premier, as I'm...
I show love and respect to my family and friends, especially my collaborator DJ Premier

Got to find a way Got to get, got to get it on (Can you see the light?) Got to get, got to get, got to get it on (Peace aight) Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on Got to get, got to get, I've got to get it on
I need to keep striving towards my goals and aspirations, and spread positivity and peace in the process

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DERRICK R L HARRIS, KEITH ELAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind