24-7 Spyz (pronounced "twenty-four-seven spies") are a crossover band from … Read Full Bio ↴24-7 Spyz (pronounced "twenty-four-seven spies") are a crossover band from the South Bronx, New York City, formed in 1986, originally consisting of Jimi Hazel (guitar), Rick Skatore (bass), Kindu Phibes (drums), and P. Fluid (real name, Peter Forrest) (vocals). The fact that they were African-Americans playing variations of heavy metal and punk along with rhythm and blues, soul, and hip-hop led critics to compare them to bands such as Living Colour, Bad Brains, and Fishbone. The band is best known for mixing soul, funk, reggae, and R&B with heavy metal and punk music. Though they were pioneers in the fusion of rap and heavy metal, influencing many bands, they have never achieved substantial commercial success. The band broke up in 1998, but reformed in 2003 before releasing their first new album of original material in over a decade in 2006, entitled Face The Day. It is available at www.24-7spyz.com. The band members are: Jimi Hazel (lead vocals & guitars), Rick Skatore (Bass & Vocals) and Tobias Ralph (Drums & Vocals).

Understanding
24-7 Spyz Lyrics

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Understanding
Why do we fight - both black and white
cause we don't understand
If you give, you get but if you want respect
then please understand
Hatred begins and no one wins
tell me who pays the price
From our generation to the next

Have respect for human life

A man kills another man for things he doesn't understand
How can someone take another life
If people just don't give a damn
can't respect a man for what he is a man
Then the world will destruct from racial strife

[Chorus]
I do believe in self and self-respect is where it starts
you have to love yourself before you love
And if love must play a part - then it has to come from your heart
In order for the pain of hate to cease

We got - we got - we got to stop hatred
Hatred is something perpetrade by lies
We got - we got - we got to have justice
The system plays God by who lives or dies
We got - we got - we got to have equality
Do not judge a man by the color of his skin
We need - we need - we need understanding
To make this world a better place to live in

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 24-7 Spyz's "Understanding" were written with the intention of addressing the issue of racism and the lack of understanding between different races. The song suggests that the root of this issue is a lack of empathy and respect for one another. The opening lines of the song "why do we fight - both black and white, cause we don't understand" address the confusion and misunderstanding that underpins the issue of racism. The lyrics then go on to suggest that if people were more willing to give then they would receive more understanding and respect.

The context of the song is a plea for people to have respect for human life and to stop perpetrating hatred. The lyrics suggest that violence and killing stem from a lack of understanding and empathy for other people. The song also addresses the role of systems of power that play God by choosing who lives and dies, making a case for justice and equality. The song ends with a call for people to come together, to have empathy and understanding for one another, and to create a better world for everyone.

Line by Line Meaning

Why do we fight - both black and white
Questioning why there is conflict between people of different races

cause we don't understand
Suggesting that lack of understanding leads to racial tensions and disputes

If you give, you get but if you want respect
Implying that treating others with kindness and generosity can lead to respect

then please understand
Urging listeners to try to understand others in order to gain respect

Hatred begins and no one wins
Stating that hatred only leads to negative outcomes for all involved

tell me who pays the price
Asking who ultimately suffers the consequences of hatred and conflict

From our generation to the next
Highlighting the importance of promoting peace and respect for future generations

Have respect for human life
Encouraging people to value all human life

A man kills another man for things he doesn't understand
Describing how ignorance can lead to violence and harm

How can someone take another life
Asking a rhetorical question to emphasize the gravity of taking another's life

If people just don't give a damn
Suggesting that apathy towards others can be harmful

can't respect a man for what he is a man
Arguing that people should be respected regardless of their gender, race, or other demographic factor

Then the world will destruct from racial strife
Warning that continued hostility and conflict based on race could lead to disastrous consequences

I do believe in self and self-respect is where it starts
Stating the importance of valuing oneself in order to gain respect from others

you have to love yourself before you love
Reiterating the need to have a positive self-image in order to love others

And if love must play a part - then it has to come from your heart
Asserting that love must come from a sincere and genuine place

In order for the pain of hate to cease
Explaining that eliminating hatred requires genuine love and understanding

We got - we got - we got to stop hatred
Encouraging listeners to take action to stop hatred and hostility

Hatred is something perpetrade by lies
Arguing that hatred is often based on falsehoods and misconceptions

We got - we got - we got to have justice
Advocating for fairness and equality

The system plays God by who lives or dies
Critiquing systems that unfairly decide who lives and who dies

We got - we got - we got to have equality
Urging for equal treatment and opportunity for all

Do not judge a man by the color of his skin
Repeating Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous quote to emphasize the need for judging people based on their character instead of their race

We need - we need - we need understanding
Reiterating the importance of understanding and empathy towards those who are different than us

To make this world a better place to live in
Explaining how improving understanding and promoting equality can lead to a better world for all

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: RONALD LANE, STEVE MARRIOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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