Get It Together
A Tribe Called Quest and Beast Lyrics
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What you doin here, in front of my face?
You didn't want my, you didn't want it
To go somewhere, you all on it
But if you want to, then you can come here
Come here, yo
Have you ever met a woman that just took your breath?
Can't help but get attatched to a woman like that (true dat)
The contact was quite immediate, I had to attack
(Because you the man, yo, you know you the man)
We related and debated over food and tunes
Started out in September, now we enterin June (say word)
Simple night in the crib, no, it just won't do
(no it just won't do, no it just won't do)
Because she liable to start shit that's wildin you
(wildin you, wildin)
She wanna push my whip, buy diamond chips
And take on trips, conversin my flip
Gotta do her hair, take her out to the fair
When a jake be there, make sure you don't stare
At another one comin, don't be startin nuthin
Be a slave to her, don't be brave to her
Make sure that she's right, make sure that you're wrong
When she wants to do it, make sure that it's long
F anyone wanna make it work it's me (Phife Dawg help me out)
But we gotta come through with common ground baby
Any man, he can claim to be the one for you
But put it straight to your lover in life runs true
And if it's me then let's get it going on
Get it going on, let's get it going on
And if it's me then let's get it going on
Phife Dawg in the break, is she more than you can take?
See, I'm not the one to be taken advantage of
And if you really think about it, I got nuthin but love
Now if your heart isn't in it, please let me know
There's no need to waste time, if it's no, then I'll go
And if it's me then let's get it going on
Get it going on, let's get it going on
And if it's me then let's get it going on
Get it going on, let's get it going on
The lyrics to A Tribe Called Quest's song "Common Ground" depict the common struggle that many couples face in relationships. The song tells the story of a man who is enamored with a woman that he is unsure how to please. The first verse starts with a panicky tone as Q-Tip's girlfriend surprises him and he questions her presence. He then proceeds to tell her that if she wants to be with him, she has to come to him, as he's tired of chasing something that doesn't want him.
The second verse introduces a woman that Tip is deeply in love with, but has a hard time satisfying. He explains how this woman is so complex and troubled, that he's fallen for her, but can't figure out how to help. He describes how they get into heated arguments over trivial matters and how she wants him to shower her with gifts, attention, and time, which is making him lose his mind.
The chorus of the song is where Q-Tip concludes that there is "common ground" that can unite them, and he is willing to make it work. The last verse is a reflection of Phife Dawg, who warns Q-Tip to not let this woman take advantage of him and to make sure he's fully invested in the relationship. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the desire to find common ground and make the relationship work.
Overall, "Common Ground" is a song that highlights the difficulties of relationships and how working towards finding common ground can help bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Who that at the door? (Yo, Tip, it's her)
Who could be knocking? (Hey, Tip, it's her)
What you doin here, in front of my face?
Why are you here, standing in front of me?
You didn't want my, you didn't want it
You didn't want me, you didn't want anything to do with me
To go somewhere, you all on it
But now you want to go somewhere, you're all about it
But if you want to, then you can come here
But if you really want to, then come over here
Come here, yo
Come over here, my friend
Have you ever met a woman that just took your breath?
Have you ever met a woman who just mesmerized you?
So deep inside her life, she contemplated death
Her life is too complicated, making her think of death
Can't help but get attatched to a woman like that (true dat)
It's hard not to get attached to a woman like her (that's true)
The contact was quite immediate, I had to attack
We had an instant connection, I had to make a move
(Because you the man, yo, you know you the man)
(Because you're the man, you know you're the man)
We related and debated over food and tunes
We connected while discussing food and music
Started out in September, now we enterin June (say word)
We started in September, now it's June (can you believe it)
Simple night in the crib, no, it just won't do
Just staying in for the night won't cut it
(no it just won't do, no it just won't do)
(it just won't do, it just won't do)
Because she liable to start shit that's wildin you
She's capable of doing things that'll make you go crazy
(wildin you, wildin)
(driving you wild, driving you wild)
She wanna push my whip, buy diamond chips
She wants to drive my car, buy me diamonds
And take on trips, conversin my flip
And go on trips, talking with me
Gotta do her hair, take her out to the fair
I have to do her hair and take her out to the fair
When a jake be there, make sure you don't stare
When a cop is there, make sure you don't stare
At another one comin, don't be startin nuthin
Don't start anything with another man
Be a slave to her, don't be brave to her
Submit to her, don't defy her
Make sure that she's right, make sure that you're wrong
Make sure she's always right and you're wrong
When she wants to do it, make sure that it's long
When she wants to have sex, make sure it lasts a long time
F anyone wanna make it work it's me (Phife Dawg help me out)
If anyone wants to make it work, it's me (Phife Dawg, help me)
But we gotta come through with common ground baby
But we have to meet each other halfway, baby
Any man, he can claim to be the one for you
Any man can say he's the one for you
But put it straight to your lover in life runs true
But ask your heart if he's the one who's right for you
And if it's me then let's get it going on
And if it's me, then let's make it happen
Get it going on, let's get it going on
We'll make it happen, let's make it happen
Phife Dawg in the break, is she more than you can take?
Phife Dawg in the break, can you handle her?
See, I'm not the one to be taken advantage of
I won't let anyone take advantage of me
And if you really think about it, I got nuthin but love
If you really think about it, I only have love for you
Now if your heart isn't in it, please let me know
If you don't feel the same way, please let me know
There's no need to waste time, if it's no, then I'll go
There's no point in wasting time, if it's a no, I'll leave
And if it's me then let's get it going on
And if it's me, then let's make it happen
Get it going on, let's get it going on
We'll make it happen, let's make it happen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALI SHAHEED JONES-MUHAMMAD, KAMAAL IBN JOHN FAREED, MALIK IZAAK TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Les Doll
certainly one of the best hip hop songs ever written.
captaingreybeard
I forgot how much I love this song. Far too many years have gone by since last I grooved to this.
pacrox2
this album is so sick! i should've put it on my list but its too late its already out on youtube. its definitely gonna be in shout outs section
Luke Keeno
this is killer track!!! loving the beastie boys! reminds me the days i used to go stealing VW signs ;)
ivekoff
big respect for this kind of rap! ;)
Thomas
Seriously my hidden gem, I keep this diamond for myself.
DeepHauz
this was back when people actually spit lyrics, instead of garbage they spit now.
Ink Room
it gets worse a decade later. Rap about being in some gang shit when they should rap about staying away.
Aaron Moses
There is no competition; Real Hip Hop! This colab is what's it all about!
Peter Helmuth
Aaron Moses Timbos on tha Toes....