Ghetto
陝諫Akon Lyrics
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These streets remind me of quicksand (quicksand)
When your on it you'll keep goin' down (goin' down)
And there's no one to hold on too
And there's no one to pull you out
You keep on falling (falling)
So you end up self destructing
On the corner with the tuli on the waist tight just got outta the bing doin' stay time
Teeth marks on my back from the canine
Dark memories of when there was no sunshine
Cause they said that I wouldn't make it
(I remember like yesterday)
Holding on to what god gave me
Cause that's the life when you're
Living in the (ghetto)and
Eating in the (ghetto)or
Sleeping in the (ghetto) (ghetto)
Cause that's the life when you're
Living in the (ghetto)and
Eating in the (ghetto)or
Sleeping in the (ghetto, ghetto, ghetto)
No need to cherish luxuries ('cause everythin' come and go)
Even the life that you have is borrowed
(cause your not promised tomorrow)
So live your life as if everyday's gon be your last
Once you move forward can't go back
Best prepare to remove your past
Cause ya gotta be willing to pray
Yea there gotta be (there gotta be) a better way oh
Yea ya gotta be willing to pray
Cause there gotta be (there gotta be) a better day (ay)
Whoever said that this suffering would stop today
A lot of niggas dead or locked away
Teenage women growing up with aids
Cause that's the life when you're
Living in the (ghetto)and
Eating in the (ghetto)or
Sleeping in the (ghetto) (ghetto)
Cause that's the life when you're
Living in the (ghetto)and
Eating in the (ghetto)or
Sleeping in the (ghetto, ghetto, ghetto)
Gun shots every night in the (ghetto)
Crooked cops on sight in the (ghetto)
Every day is a fight in the (ghetto)
(oh oh oh oh oh) (ghetto)
Got kids to feed in the (ghetto)
Selling coke and weed in the (ghetto)
Every day somebody bleed in the (ghetto)
(oh oh oh oh oh) (ghetto)
Cause that's the life when you're
Living in the (ghetto)and
Eating in the (ghetto)or
Sleeping in the (ghetto) (ghetto)
Cause that's the life when you're
Living in the (ghetto)and
Eating in the (ghetto)or
Sleeping in the (ghetto, ghetto, ghetto)
The lyrics of "Ghetto" by Akon depict the hardships of living in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. The opening line, "Ghetto, ghetto, ghetto, ghetto we livin'" emphasizes the repeated struggles and difficulties faced by those living in the ghetto. The comparison of the streets to quicksand is a powerful metaphor for the seemingly inescapable and sinking mindset that comes with being surrounded by poverty and lack of opportunity. The lack of support is also highlighted with the absence of anyone to hold on to or pull the individual out.
The third stanza reflects the consequences of being stuck in such a situation, where hopelessness leads to self-destruction. The imagery of the corner with the "tuli on the waist tight just got outta the bing doin' stay time" portrays the violent reality of life in the ghetto. The teeth marks and dark memories suggest the physical and emotional trauma endured by those forced to live in such conditions. Despite the challenges, the individual continues to hold on to their faith, stating that they are holding on to what God gave them.
The chorus repeats that life in the ghetto consists of merely surviving, with no opportunity for luxuries or security. This is followed by a call to live every day as if it is the last and move forward, instead of clinging onto the past. The final stanza acknowledges the ongoing suffering and pain experienced in the ghetto, with gunshots, crooked cops, and violence. The struggles of the people in the ghetto are epitomized by the startlingly progressive line "Teenage women growing up with aids," showcasing the added struggles of illness and disease.
Line by Line Meaning
Ghetto, ghetto, ghetto, ghetto we livin'
We are living in the ghetto and it's a constant reminder of that fact.
These streets remind me of quicksand (quicksand)
The streets in the ghetto are like quicksand, once you're on them, it's very hard to get out.
When your on it you'll keep goin' down (goin' down)
Being in the ghetto will only drag you down further, and it's hard to get out.
And there's no one to hold on too
There's no one there to help you when you're struggling to stay afloat in the harsh reality of the ghetto.
And there's no one to pull you out
There's no one there to help you leave the ghetto or escape the cycle of poverty.
You keep on falling (falling)
The downward spiral of the ghetto can be never-ending, constantly pulling you down.
And no one can here you calling
There's no one there to listen to your struggles and offer help when you need it the most.
So you end up self destructing
Without anyone to help, many in the ghetto turn to vice and self-destructive behaviors.
On the corner with the tuli on the waist tight just got outta the bing doin' stay time
At the corner stands a person who has just been released from prison, evident from the teeth marks on their back from a police dog (tuli) and who has spent time in solitary confinement (bing/stay time).
Dark memories of when there was no sunshine
Memories of the dark past in the ghetto, where there was no hope or positivity.
Cause they said that I wouldn't make it
When others doubt your potential due to your background, it can seem impossible to rise above the life you were born into.
(I remember like yesterday)
The memories of doubters and negative comments can stick with you and feel like they were just yesterday.
Holding on to what god gave me
When everything else feels like it's slipping away, sometimes faith is the only thing left to cling to.
No need to cherish luxuries ('cause everythin' come and go)
In the ghetto, there's no point in holding on to superficial things that may be taken away from you at any moment.
Even the life that you have is borrowed
The life you have is only temporary and can be taken away at any moment, so it's important to make the most of it.
(cause your not promised tomorrow)
No one is guaranteed a tomorrow, particularly in dangerous and unstable environments like the ghetto.
So live your life as if everyday's gon be your last
To make the most of your borrowed life, live every day like it could be your last.
Once you move forward can't go back
Once you've started making progress and moving away from the ghetto, you can't go back to the way things were before.
Best prepare to remove your past
In order to fully move on from the ghetto, you need to anticipate obstacles related to your past experiences and prepare to overcome them.
Cause ya gotta be willing to pray
Sometimes faith is the only thing that can help you through the hardest times in the ghetto.
Yea there gotta be (there gotta be) a better way oh
Despite the hardships of the ghetto, there has to be a better way to live and find success.
Yea ya gotta be willing to pray
Faith is crucial in the life of someone living in the ghetto to help them get through tough times.
Cause there gotta be (there gotta be) a better day (ay)
Even when hope feels bleak, it's important to believe that there's a better future waiting.
Whoever said that this suffering would stop today
There's a relentless cycle of suffering in the ghetto, and it's not going to end anytime soon.
A lot of niggas dead or locked away
There are many people who have died or been sent to prison and are unable to escape the ghetto's grasp.
Teenage women growing up with aids
In the harsh reality of the ghetto, even the teenage women are forced to grow up too fast and contract diseases like AIDS due to the dangerous living conditions.
Gun shots every night in the (ghetto)
The ghetto is not a safe place, with the sound of gunshots ringing out every night.
Crooked cops on sight in the (ghetto)
The police in the ghetto are known to be corrupt and will abuse their power and authority.
Every day is a fight in the (ghetto)
Surviving in the ghetto is a constant battle, either against the environment, other people, or corrupt authorities.
(oh oh oh oh oh) (ghetto)
The word 'ghetto' is so commonly heard in the context of suffering and hardship that it becomes a repeated refrain in the song.
Got kids to feed in the (ghetto)
With few opportunities to make a living, parents in the ghetto struggle to provide enough money and resources to feed their children.
Selling coke and weed in the (ghetto)
Many people in the ghetto turn to drug dealing as a means of survival, despite the risks and dangers involved.
Every day somebody bleed in the (ghetto)
Violence is an everyday occurrence in the ghetto, with people frequently getting hurt and killed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: ALIAUNE THIAM, BUTHERDE DARIUS, JAMES TARVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind