After releasing a pair of albums with the Freestyle Fellowship, To Whom it May Concern... and Innercity Griots, Acey signed to Capitol Records and released his highly acclaimed solo debut, All Balls Don't Bounce, in 1995. He returned three years later with his second album, A Book of Human Language, a collaboration with producer Mumbles.
Acey returned solo again in 2001 with his third solo album, Accepted Eclectic. In 2002, the Freestyle Fellowship returned after 9 years for the release of their third group album, Shockadoom. 2002 and 2003 saw two more solo releases, Hip Hop and the World We Live In and Love & Hate and another A-Team album ('Lab Down Under'). In 2006, Aceyalone released two more solo projects, first, Magnificent City, a collaboration with producer RJD2, followed by Grand Imperial. 2007 sees Acey releasing the first in his planned explorations of world musics, Lightining Stikes.
Widely recognized as one of the more lyrically gifted in the history of emceeing, Aceyalone embodies the sophisticated west coast style that is showcased in other indie artists such as Blackalicious and Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.
Caged Bird
Aceyalone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some birds don't deserve to be caged
They gotta fly away and search for the waves
Bein locked up is worse than the grave
I live by the words on the page - I know!
Some birds don't deserve to be caged
They gotta fly away and search for the waves
Bein held down is worse than the grave
[Aceyalone]
I jumped on the planet and I landed on both feet
Tippy-toed across the continent, on the dope beat
Settled in the mainland ghetto by the sand trap
Rocked to a handclap until I got my band back
Thoughts came thick in a ball of confusion
A wall of belusion it's all so amusin
I laughed at the pain sometimes with a straight face
Just another hate case, you control your fate Ace!
Long walks down the lonely road turned path paved
Bask in the cascade, grey clouds circle me
Tuned to the channel so their energy will work on me
All in the cut like surgery and burnt to the third degree
Internally, avoid an away story
40 and slip of tongue, tryin to bring the poison noise
Step in the spot like I'm not that popular
Eyes like binoculars, I'm so Hip-Hopular
Been on the air since Greg had a Mac attack
Now they all CrackerJack, that's a fact, smell me
How can you tell me what I haven't already heard
Forty-three, 43rd, listen and observe
First flew the coop when they tried to cage a rocking bird
Lookin for the truth in the booth when I serve
Never clip the wings if they seem a little out of touch
Let 'em fly free please, don't try to box 'em up
[Chorus]
[Aceyalone]
I open a lot cause I smash it with brute force
Flew over the roof, headed North on a crash course
Eagle eyes spot 'em all, groundhog peekin out
Stickin out against the whack world while they freakin out
Wasn't 'sposed to go but I just didn't wanna wait
Been had a ticket but the Chattanooga's runnin late
Hate never had a lover good as I been to her
Couldn't put an end to her, cause she got followers
Whole flock of spitters and swallowers, wow
Intregrity didn't have a home 'til I gave him one
{?} and diamonds, God said say no more
Find a piece of mind like a needle in the haystack
Grind on the real on the playback, ready for the at-tack
Seatack, cry me a riverboat
If I don't fly back, still gotta give 'em hope
Stand and delivery, first class rain or shine
Pain of mine in a pantomime glass chilled
Where was your genie when you needed her for real
Buildin my art from the parts that they overlooked
Fuse lit from the last match in the book
Stand in adrenaline, pumped through the reservoir
Plucked out the air cause he didn't sit duck
Pretty as the peacock who can't even leave the ground
Let the heart glide on, don't buy the muck
[Chorus]
Aceyalone's "Caged Birds" is a powerful song about the struggles of being trapped in one's own life. The song focuses on the feeling of being trapped, and the desire to break free and fly away. Aceyalone sings the chorus with an emphasis on the idea that "Some birds don't deserve to be caged," and that "being locked up is worse than the grave." The concept links to the idea of freedom and how important it is to human beings.
Aceyalone's introspective verses also have a lot to say about the song's theme. He raps about struggling with his feelings and emotions, and how he has tried to find his way in the world. He talks about how he's had to fight against the pain and isolation of growing up in a ghetto. He also touches on themes of hope, faith, and freedom. He uses the metaphor of birds as a way to convey the importance of flight as a symbol of freedom, whether it's literal or metaphorical.
Overall, "Caged Birds" is a complex and layered piece of music, and one that has resonated with fans of the hip-hop genre for years. It's a song that touches on some of the most fundamental human emotions – hope, fear, and the desire for freedom. The song has also received a lot of critical acclaim, and is often seen as an important landmark in the development of hip-hop as a genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Some birds don't deserve to be caged
There are free spirits who shouldn't be held back
They gotta fly away and search for the waves
Those wanderers should explore and seek adventure
Bein locked up is worse than the grave
Caging these individuals is a fate worse than death
I live by the words on the page - I know!
I abide by the written word and understand its power
Some birds don't deserve to be caged
There are free spirits who shouldn't be held back
They gotta fly away and search for the waves
Those wanderers should explore and seek adventure
Bein held down is worse than the grave
Suppressing these individuals is a fate worse than death
I live by the words on the page - I say!
I follow and express myself through the written word
I jumped on the planet and I landed on both feet
I arrived in this world standing strong
Tippy-toed across the continent, on the dope beat
Migrated and traveled through life to a great rhythm
Settled in the mainland ghetto by the sand trap
Made a home in an unconventional, urban area
Rocked to a handclap until I got my band back
Enjoyed life's simple pleasures until regaining my abilities
Thoughts came thick in a ball of confusion
Ideas were jumbled and challenging to comprehend
A wall of belusion it's all so amusin
Amused by the nonsensical illusions of walls
I laughed at the pain sometimes with a straight face
I found humor in discomfort while remaining stoic
Just another hate case, you control your fate Ace!
Being a target of hate is common, but I control my destiny
Long walks down the lonely road turned path paved
Solitary journeys became a smoother path over time
Bask in the cascade, grey clouds circle me
Enjoying the flow of life, even during difficult times
Tuned to the channel so their energy will work on me
Absorbing the energy of others for inspiration
All in the cut like surgery and burnt to the third degree
An injury so great, it left me scarred for life
Internally, avoid an away story
I internalize struggles to avoid sharing them
40 and slip of tongue, tryin to bring the poison noise
Saying the wrong thing can be damaging
Step in the spot like I'm not that popular
I enter a room without needing admiration
Eyes like binoculars, I'm so Hip-Hopular
I have a keen view of the world, particularly in Hip-Hop culture
Been on the air since Greg had a Mac attack
I've been relevant since the early days of Mac computers
Now they all CrackerJack, that's a fact, smell me
Nowadays, everyone tries to be like us, and it shows
How can you tell me what I haven't already heard
I'm aware of most things, so don't try to enlighten me
Forty-three, 43rd, listen and observe
I come from humble beginnings, but learned enough to share
First flew the coop when they tried to cage a rocking bird
I became independent when others tried to suppress me
Lookin for the truth in the booth when I serve
Through my art, I seek honesty and meaning
Never clip the wings if they seem a little out of touch
Don't limit free spiritual expression, even if unconventional
Let 'em fly free please, don't try to box 'em up
Allow those individuals to roam and explore as they wish
I open a lot cause I smash it with brute force
I challenge the norm with unwavering strength
Flew over the roof, headed North on a crash course
Moved forward with intensity, despite obstacles
Eagle eyes spot 'em all, groundhog peekin out
My perception is astute and perceptive
Stickin out against the whack world while they freakin out
Remaining bold and expressive in the face of chaos
Wasn't 'sposed to go but I just didn't wanna wait
I did something I wasn't meant to do, but it was worth it
Been had a ticket but the Chattanooga's runnin late
I've been ready for life's next steps, but it's taking a while
Hate never had a lover good as I been to her
Even in the face of hatred, my response was loving
Couldn't put an end to her, cause she got followers
Hate still lingers, thanks to those who spread it
Whole flock of spitters and swallowers, wow
People both exude and internalize hate
Intregrity didn't have a home 'til I gave him one
I brought integrity and value back into my life
{?} and diamonds, God said say no more
Jewels and wealth are irrelevant to God
Find a piece of mind like a needle in the haystack
Finding peace is difficult, but it's worth searching for
Grind on the real on the playback, ready for the at-tack
I work hard and remain true, while anticipating challenges
Seatack, cry me a riverboat
Something will seem small and insignificant
If I don't fly back, still gotta give 'em hope
Even if I can't return, I'll inspire others
Stand and delivery, first class rain or shine
I'm always prepared to give my all, no matter the conditions
Pain of mine in a pantomime glass chilled
My pain seems like a performance, frozen in time
Where was your genie when you needed her for real
People expect help when they need it most, but it doesn't always come
Buildin my art from the parts that they overlooked
I thrive on creating art out of what others ignore
Fuse lit from the last match in the book
I'm always at the end, but ready to spark new ideas
Stand in adrenaline, pumped through the reservoir
I'm filled with energy and excitement
Plucked out the air cause he didn't sit duck
I was targeted and singled out, but remained resilient
Pretty as the peacock who can't even leave the ground
Looks are deceiving, and being all talk isn't enough
Let the heart glide on, don't buy the muck
Follow your heart and ignore negative influences
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats its theme of not limiting free spirits
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDWIN M. JR. HAYES, RAMBLE JON KROHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Věrka Soukupová
on Impact
:::::Soundtrack of ME https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODJMg8skB0&list=RDMM&index=6