It was no accident, according to energetic music visionary 88-Keys. The 29-… Read Full Bio ↴It was no accident, according to energetic music visionary 88-Keys. The 29-year-old producer would be the first to tell you that he was always going to make his mark in hip-hop and beyond. For 88’, who has showcased his eclectic studio prowess for everyone from socially conscious Brooklyn rhymer/actor Mos Def (Black On Both Sides, The New Danger) to platinum R&B singer-songwriter Musiq (Juslisen, Soulstar), creating music would prove to be his destiny. It is a path he knew he would take when he first heard legendary Prince Paul’s groundbreaking, mad scientist production on De La Soul’s 1989 classic 3 Feet High and Rising. “It made me look at hip-hop as an art” recalls 88-Keys. “Then I remember walking home from my 8th grade class and hearing A Tribe Called Quest’s ‘I Left My Wallet In El Segundo’ on a car radio. And I’m like, ‘What was that?!!!’ Hearing someone like Kool G. Rap was a wake-up call but De La and Tribe was a bucket of cold water. I knew hip-hop music was it for me.”

Indeed, the kid born Charles Misodi Njapa in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, New York more than made good on his hip-hop ambitions. His early ’90s transition from eager intern to assistant engineer at West Hempstead’s The Music Palace recording studio insured that he would meet up with his heroes: A Tribe Called Quest’s charismatic front man Q-Tip; influential crate digger Pete Rock; and respected Nas producer Large Professor. It was L.P. who blessed Charles with his 88-Keys moniker after witnessing his budding skills on the ARS-10 keyboard. “I told myself if I ever make it in this business, that’s the name that I was going to use because I got it from one of the great ones,” 88‘ recalls.

Over the years, 88-Keys’ distinctive brazen beats-meets-atmospheric production have appeared on a number of high-profile works including Blackstar’s 1998 underground landmark debut Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Blackstar (“Thieves In The Night”); the eccentric funk-rock of Macy Gray’s 1999 platinum plus How Life Is (“Why Didn’t You Call Me” Remix) and Beanie Sigel’s 2001 street-praised The Reason (“Watch Your Bitches”). It’s such strikingly diverse credits that have made the humble 88-Keys one of the most respected producers in the music game.

Morning Wood
88-Keys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Your morning good (Let's go)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood (Wood, wood)
I wake up again, I don't need another friend zone (Naw)
I gotta find a play that will take me to the end-zone (Scored)
Rolling over in my bed, I feel something on my leg
Thoughts are going through my head, I feel somethings going on, with my love down below
I hope that she's not putting on her clothes, cause I don't want her to go (Naw, naw)

Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood (Yeah)
Your morning good (Let's go)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood (Wood, wood wood)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood (Word)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
When she got out of bed, left her impressions on my bed foam (Word)
I don't wanna sound rude but I need head before she heads home (Yeah)
So now I'm thinkin' of a plan, that does not involve my hand
Can I turn this thing around? Can I get her to go down?
To my love down below
I hope that she's not putting on her clothes, cause I don't want her to go (No)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood (I swear)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood (Truth yall)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood (Yeah, yeah yeah yeah)
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Now that she's done, I had a lot of fun
But now it's time to run and it's time to say goodbye
To my love down below
I hope that she's putting on her clothes, because it's time to go
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
You know Adam from uptown right?
You will never guess what happened
He met this girl, real cute girl
Started winin' and dinin' her

Taking her to Mr. Chows, paying $250 tabs
They're going to Broadway plays, and I am sure there is a lot of other stuff that I don't even know about

Overall Meaning

The song "Morning Wood" by 88-Keys is a humorous take on the morning after a one-night stand. The lyrics describe the singer's desire for sexual satisfaction, while also hoping that his partner won't leave too soon. He wants her to take care of his "morning wood" - a euphemism for his arousal - before she leaves. He expresses uncertainty about how to accomplish this without offending her or coming across as too aggressive.

The song's chorus urges the listener to "start off on the right foot" and prioritize sexual gratification in the morning. The lyrics also touch on the idea of "friend-zoning," suggesting that the singer is no longer interested in a platonic relationship and wants to move towards a sexual one.

Overall, the song utilizes clever wordplay and humorous storytelling to communicate the singer's desires and fears about a potential sexual encounter. It's an amusing take on the morning-after dynamic that many people can relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
A good start with a partner who tends to morning needs

Your morning good (Let's go)
Get ready for a good start to your day

Wood, wood
Euphemism for an erection

I wake up again, I don't need another friend zone (Naw)
Not looking for friendship, seeking more

I gotta find a play that will take me to the end-zone (Scored)
Seeking a partner to fulfill a sexual desire

Rolling over in my bed, I feel something on my leg
Feeling sexual arousal upon waking up

Thoughts are going through my head, I feel somethings going on, with my love down below
Sexual arousal and desire for female partner

I hope that she's not putting on her clothes, cause I don't want her to go (Naw, naw)
Desires sexual activity with partner who may be leaving

When she got out of bed, left her impressions on my bed foam (Word)
Sexual activity with partner left an imprint on bed foam

I don't wanna sound rude but I need head before she heads home (Yeah)
Desires oral sex before partner leaves

So now I'm thinkin' of a plan, that does not involve my hand
Brainstorming ways to initiate partner into sexual activity

Can I turn this thing around? Can I get her to go down?
Hopeful for receiving oral sex from partner

Now that she's done, I had a lot of fun
Enjoyed sexual activity with partner

But now it's time to run and it's time to say goodbye
Ending sexual encounter with partner

You know Adam from uptown right?
Starting a new topic of conversation

You will never guess what happened
Building suspense for upcoming story

He met this girl, real cute girl
Adam found a new female partner

Started winin' and dinin' her
Adam took her out for fancy dates

Taking her to Mr. Chows, paying $250 tabs
Adam spent a lot of money on dates

They're going to Broadway plays, and I am sure there is a lot of other stuff that I don't even know about
Adam and his new partner are engaging in various entertainment activities

Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Reiterating importance of starting the day off sexually satisfied

Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Encouragement to prioritize sexual satisfaction in the morning

Start off on the right foot and she takes care of the morning wood
Final repetition of importance of starting morning with a partner who satisfies sexual desires

Writer(s): Michelle Bell, Peter Keusch, Charles Njapa

Contributed by Sophia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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