1999
99 Frames for Prince Lyrics

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Crash on the levee, mama
Water's gonna overflow
Swamp's gonna rise
No boat's gonna row
Now, you can train on down
To Williams Point
You can bust your feet
You can rock this joint

But oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.

Now, don't you try an' move me
You're just gonna lose
There's a crash on the levee
And mama, you've been refused
Well, it's sugar for sugar
And salt for salt
If you go down in the flood
It's gonna be your own fault
Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?
You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.

Well, that high tide's risin'
Mama, don't you let me down
Pack up your suitcase
Mama, don't you make a sound
Now, it's king for king
Queen for queen
It's gonna be the meanest flood
That anybody's seen
Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now?

You're gonna have to find yourself
Another best friend, somehow.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Crash on the Levee, Mama" depict a situation of impending disaster, where water overflows and the swamp rises, leaving no escape route with boats. The lyrics convey a message of impending doom and forces the listener to contemplate how to handle such an extreme condition. The lines, "You're gonna have to find yourself another best friend somehow," highlight the theme of betrayal, stating that even the closest friend or trusted person cannot be relied upon during tough times. The song also portrays the need to take responsibility and acknowledging the consequences of actions, as seen in the lines "If you go down in the flood, it's gonna be your own fault."

In the line starting "Well, it's sugar for sugar and salt for salt," there is a play on words, and Prince employs a commonly used phrase to highlight the equivalence of the payback or punishment, wherein sugar denotes sweetness or reward, and salt denotes bitterness or punishment. The phrase "Crash on the levee," is a metaphor for a crisis or a breaking point, adding depth to the lyrics. In conclusion, the song is a warning to those who are complacent, urging them to take responsibility for their actions and prepare for disasters, as these situations can arise at any time.

Line by Line Meaning

Crash on the levee, mama Water's gonna overflow Swamp's gonna rise No boat's gonna row
There's a flood coming and it's going to be bad. The water level will eventually rise so high that boats won't be able to navigate it.

Now, you can train on down To Williams Point You can bust your feet You can rock this joint But oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now? You're gonna have to find yourself Another best friend, somehow.
Even though there's a flood coming, you can still have fun and dance as much as you want. However, once the flood hits and things get tough, you'll have to find a new best friend.

Now, don't you try an' move me You're just gonna lose There's a crash on the levee And mama, you've been refused Well, it's sugar for sugar And salt for salt If you go down in the flood It's gonna be your own fault Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now? You're gonna have to find yourself Another best friend, somehow.
Don't try to persuade me to do something that's not in my best interest because it will only end badly. If you end up suffering the consequences of the flood, it will be your own fault. Once again, you will have to find a new best friend.

Well, that high tide's risin' Mama, don't you let me down Pack up your suitcase Mama, don't you make a sound Now, it's king for king Queen for queen It's gonna be the meanest flood That anybody's seen Oh mama, ain't you gonna miss your best friend now? You're gonna have to find yourself Another best friend, somehow.
The water is rising quickly and you need to prepare now. When it hits, it will be intense and harsh. Once again, you'll have to find a new best friend in case we're separated.

Contributed by Gianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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