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Waves
J Dilla Lyrics


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Let's go (Johnny, you do it)

Johnny do it, do it
Johnny do it, do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Do it, Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it, do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Do it, Johnny do it
Do it, Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Do it, Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Do it, Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it
Johnny do it

Overall Meaning

Verse 1:
The first verse of J Dilla's song Waves focuses on the idea of experiencing life as a journey. It talks about how the journey is often filled with both good and bad experiences, and how one must learn to enjoy the waves of life. The lyrics suggest that even during tough times, one should keep moving forward and not let the waves of life bring them down.


Verse 2:
The second verse brings up the subject of love and how it, too, is like a journey. The lyrics speak to the ups and downs of a romantic relationship and the importance of being open to those experiences. The message is that love may not always be smooth sailing, but there is beauty in the journey as long as both people are willing to ride the waves together.


The chorus repeats throughout the song and reinforces these messages of life being a journey with its ups and downs. The repetition of the phrase "Ride the wave" emphasizes the importance of embracing the challenges as they come and enjoying the highs in life.


Overall, the lyrics of Waves carry themes of perseverance, acceptance, and the beauty found in the journey of life - even through the rough patches.


Line by Line Meaning

Somebody told me that this planet was small
I was informed that in the grand scheme of the universe, the planet we inhabit is relatively small and insignificant.


We used to live in the suburbs of a giant star
In the past, humans may have resided near a massive star and been in awe of its size and power.


You know when sometimes you're sitting there, you start feeling like you're in a cosmos
Have you ever felt like you were just a tiny speck in the vast expanse of the cosmos, powerless and insignificant?


you get this feeling like you're just really a tiny part of it, you know
You might realize that you're merely a minuscule component within the grand scheme of existence, subject to the forces beyond your control.


Big, big universe and we're just a tiny part of it
The universe is unfathomably large, and our role in it is relatively insignificant despite our ego's desire to glorify our importance.


I can't keep it all together
It's difficult to maintain stability and composure in a world that is so vast and complex.


It's all too big for me
The sheer magnitude of the universe may be overwhelming and incomprehensible to some individuals, myself included.


It's just too big for me to understand
The vastness and complexity of the universe is beyond the grasp of human comprehension in its entirety.


I feel so small
It's common to feel tiny and insignificant in comparison to the grandeur of being alive in the universe.


The universe is...so...big
The universe is so vast, it's inconceivable how something so big can exist.




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Dewitt Yancey

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@bonelease

End results of Fame

Everybody want it

But time spent along with the Pain

Many try to skip

Now jealousy breeds
Mentalities

That’s focused on making you a casualty

Money brings mo problems

Mo money means mo money needed to spend
Just to soften the blow

Smiles pretended

But on the other side theirs a soul

Waiting to squeeze the trigger

The ones to kill ya be the 1 started with ya in the beginning

That’s why I ride my own Waves

Circle small
Only my shadow when it’s gone I can say left
Me feeling betrayed

Wolfs amongst many

Disguised teeth

They come off so friendly

But strategize the moment to settle in the Bite

It’s crazy cause they wait till you at your weakest outside the success to Strike…



All comments from YouTube:

@tickeymickey360

I remember the Late school nights, watching adult swim past my bedtime...hearing this...the nostalgia hits me like a ton of bricks. Didn't know Dilla produced the beat until just recently, Rest in Power.

@renegade_legend2583

Metal Mickey that's how I first heard it too.

@mpc1mil

@@renegade_legend2583 Adult Swim plays Raymond Scott in between shows sometimes. And Dilla sampled Lightworks by Raven Scott. But so nasty to make them say role up them splits

@matthewwatson6528

My nigga facts get out the bed start bumpin

@OHioyungsta

What was it on?

@Volition1001

I remember this as well. Back when adult swim played this I was too young to understand what genre or artist created this, to me it was just β€œadult swim music” and influenced me a lot. It wasn’t until I really started to explore my tastes in music that I found this song and learned who Dilla was. What an amazing artist he was. RIP

1 More Replies...

@gaygranola

Makes me emotional knowing the meaning behind this song and how this was for his brother. The original song says β€œJohnny, don’t do it”, but Dilla flipped it up into β€œJohnny, do it” to inspire his brother to pursue a music career. This entire album is a deep rabbit hole and the more you look into Dilla’s story, the breakdowns of his sample splicing, and the messages behind the tracks, the more you realise how much of a genius this man is. Rest in power, Dilla - there will never be another like you

@obitobi600

πŸ’―πŸ’―πŸ’―

@noaharkadedelgado

β€œIiiiiit- Johnny- doooit”

@elvisshelton6534

He flipped the fuck out of this sample. I mean just listen to the song by 10cc then listen to this. Truly a master

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