Ain't No Sunshine
2pac ft. DMX Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's dark and Hell is hot

Ain't no sunshine when it's on
only darkness everyday
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
'Cause when it's on
Ya niggaz know to be gone
everytime 'cause we don't play

(Verse 1)
Who turned turned out the lights
Is what ya'll niggaz be sayin
You don't wanna fight
'Cause ya'll niggaz be playin
Thinkin it's alright
playin with that road
you gone know the night
you'll be layin in the cold
Dirt gettin tossed in your grave
now it' all over
Preacher said you was brave
but now it's all over
You just one of the many plenty I gon' give it to
(Boom) ain't no savin you
no matter how many tears your mom crys
ain't gone bring your ass back plus in hell you gon' fry
Why, but now the only two relative qeustions is
"Do we bury him or burn, any suggestions?"
Either way you up outa here for good
now when niggaz mention your name they knockin on wood
Did I get my point across
anutha body on the shotte anutha joint i toss

(Chorus)
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
Only Darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
'Cause when it's on ya niggaz know to be gone
Everytime 'cause we don't play
Everytime 'cause we don't play
Everytime 'cause we don't play

(Verse Two)
There ain't no sunshine when the Dark Man comes out
And I want mine so I plan to keep my gun out
We got four 9'z so niggaz run in and run out
But i bust mine so I'd like to hear some shouts
Get at me dog niggaz know how it's gettin dizzy
'Cause when it comes to that flow I gets busy
Who is he Dark Man of the unknown
(GRRRR ARF) one dog one bone
Now who ain't goin home
looks like you
You hear Strike One
Talkin shit, Strike Two
Won't be a Strike Three
'Cause I don't play fair
I'm gon look you in the eye
while he hits you from the rear
Be like Yea holdin you up 'cause you fallin'
the Lord ain't comin so Nigga stop callin'
You was ballin' a minute ago in it for dough
Till it was "Yo I swear to God I didn't know"

(Chorus)

(Verse Three)
And I know I know I know I kno
What you think you gon' get fuck around with my dough
Just so there ain't no mistakes this is my show
One(one)Two(two) Three here I go
Your shit is quick but your shit is slick
But this shit is thick so when you here this shit
Damn right I'm gonna finish shit
If you caught that verse without a rewind
you can see mine
But you be blind I do a 360 come up from behind
Tap you on your shoulder have you turnin around
then i'll hit you with sumthin that'll have you burnin' the ground
Be like"Damn There nuthin left of the money but a pile of ash"
Life is good so please enjoy it while it lasts
'Cause you know you ain't got much longer to go
The quicker you go depends on the stronger the flow
Niggaz know I don't give a fuck right or wrong
There Ain't no sunshine when it's on

(Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 2pac ft. DMX's song Ain't No Sunshine are built around the idea that when it's time for violence, there is no light, only darkness. The chorus of the song, "Ain't no sunshine when it's on, only darkness every day" suggests that when it's time to take care of business, things get dark and grim. The verses that follow detail stories of violence and revenge, with DMX and 2pac using their rhymes to take down their enemies.

The first verse speaks to the idea that none of their enemies can escape from their wrath. They talk about how they take down their enemies one by one and how their enemies can’t escape darkness. The second verse details how 2pac and DMX have guns and they're not afraid to use them. They're both tough and fearless, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to claim what is rightfully theirs. And the last verse focuses on the idea that there's no time like the present to enjoy life because it's all fleeting.

Line by Line Meaning

It's dark and Hell is hot
The situation is dire and the consequences will be severe

Ain't no sunshine when it's on, only darkness everyday
There is no hope or relief when danger is present, only fear and uncertainty

Cause when it's on, ya niggaz know to be gone, everytime 'cause we don't play
When the situation is dangerous, those involved know to leave immediately because there will be no mercy or second chances

Who turned turned out the lights, is what ya'll niggaz be sayin
People often ask who caused the problems they are facing

You don't wanna fight, cause ya'll niggaz be playin
People don't want to face the dire consequences for their actions

Thinkin it's alright, playin with that road, you gone know the night, you'll be layin in the cold
People who take risks and ignore the danger of their situation will suffer the consequences

Now it's all over, preacher said you was brave, but now it's all over
Once the situation has turned dire and the person has suffered the consequences, there is no going back, even if people thought they were brave

Either way you up outa here for good, now when niggaz mention your name they knockin on wood
When someone dies or leaves for good, their name is always remembered and often with a sense of superstition or good luck

There ain't no sunshine when the Dark Man comes out
There is no hope or relief when a dangerous person, like DMX, is present

I'm gon look you in the eye, while he hits you from the rear, be like yea holdin you up 'cause you fallin'
The artist will not show any mercy, even to those who think they are prepared, and will continue to attack them relentlessly

Life is good so please enjoy it while it lasts, 'cause you know you ain't got much longer to go
Life is short and should be enjoyed while it lasts because danger could be around the corner, and there may not be a second chance to live life to the fullest

Niggaz know I don't give a fuck right or wrong, there ain't no sunshine when it's on
The artist is not concerned with morals or ethics, but rather with achieving their goals, even if it means causing harm to others

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS