11:35
Aesop Rock Lyrics

Some cats grow by the laws of the wild
Some individuals have a natural ability to adapt and thrive in any situation.

Some learn slower and lag in the mud
Others learn at a slower pace and may struggle to keep up with those who are more naturally capable.

Some stand up in defense of a style
Some people will fiercely defend their beliefs and ways of life, no matter what anyone else may say or do.

Some let the big dogs eat them up
Others may be intimidated by those who are more powerful or aggressive and may allow themselves to be taken advantage of.

At exactly 11:35pm on January 21st I fell asleep sound
The artist fell asleep peacefully at a specific time and date.

At exactly 11:35pm on Januray 21st some shit went down
Something significant or traumatic happened at the same time and date as the singer's peaceful slumber.

Now Benny was a New York City crime kingpin
Benny was a powerful figure in the criminal world of New York City.

Five girl, fame, guaranteed to itch pigskin
Benny had five women, fame, and money, but his lavish lifestyle came with its own set of problems.

Raided near the Brooklyn Naval yard, ? undercover
Benny was arrested near the Brooklyn Naval yard while under police surveillance.

When they asked him what he pled he said, "You're fuckin' up my color!"
When asked to plead guilty or innocent, Benny complained that the police were unfairly targeting him because of his race.

Okay, Jose is working in the slaughterhouse
Jose is employed at a slaughterhouse, likely performing manual labor.

Said he's living in the hood, but he wants to get his daughter out
Jose lives in a disadvantaged neighborhood but wants to create a better life for his daughter.

Slipped off a ledge, and fell into a machine
Jose had an accident and fell into a piece of machinery while at work.

Another dead immigrant, that's the American Dream
Jose's death exemplifies the harsh reality faced by many immigrants who come to America in search of a better life but end up struggling to survive.

Miss Molly, helpless, made a penny with a data entry temp gig
Molly has a low-paying job doing data entry work as a temp, with little job security or opportunities for advancement.

Overqualified by the rent sticks
Molly is overqualified for her job, but she has no choice but to take it because she needs to pay her rent.

Red brick bash with a texted green screen
Molly's office is likely in a brick building, with a computer monitor that she uses to input data.

Like, "I entered my data right into your screen"
Molly is speaking to someone about how she completed her work in a timely and efficient manner.

Jane went insane, she's an anchorwoman
Jane, who may be a successful anchorwoman, has had a breakdown and is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Sick of pushing skewed information
Jane is frustrated with having to present news stories that are biased or manipulated in some way, and it is affecting her mental state.

And abusing the nation
Jane thinks that the media and politicians are taking advantage of the public and not serving their interests.

Had a few options: Either jump or run Critical ways or waving a gun
Jane contemplates multiple options for how to deal with her frustrations, including fleeing, fighting back, or taking her own life.

Time for see-H-A-N-G-E Held a knife to the VP on TV She demanded that the format be expanded
Jane takes drastic action by holding a knife to the Vice President on live television, demanding that the media's presentation of information be altered to be more truthful and fair.

Beyond fair, everybody clear, understand it?
Jane wants everyone to have a clear understanding of what she is demanding, which is something more than just fairness or equality.

Billy was a coke fiend Maggy was a cop
Billy was addicted to cocaine, while Maggy was a police officer.

Like a dope he stole green She patrolled the block
Billy was a thief who took money or valuables, while Maggy patrolled the area trying to keep the community safe.

Banking off his old scheme She recognized his plot He thought he was home free She knew that he was not
Billy thought he had escaped detection and punishment for his crimes, but Maggy was able to recognize what he did and catch him.

Now it's off to the jail in a blue squad car She pocketed the crack before they got far Billy watches Maggy from behind steel bars Like "Where the crack went?" "I'ma smoke it tomorrah"
Maggy arrests Billy and takes him to jail, but she keeps some of his stash of drugs for herself. Billy later questions where the drugs went, but Maggy has already taken them.

They call him Larry Luck Blackjack, big spender
Larry is known for being lucky and also spends a lot of money playing blackjack.

He was married once Till he bet her ring finger
Larry was once married, but bet and lost his wife's engagement ring in a gambling game.

Seen leaving Las Vegas With a pickup truck, diamond forty large, and beautiful wife piece Than what he came with
Larry has been seen leaving Las Vegas with additional wealth, including a valuable diamond and an attractive new girlfriend, compared to when he first arrived.

Itched to get rich found nickels in the couch Hitched back to the casino with in an hour
Larry is desperate to become even richer and quickly returns to the casino soon after leaving to try and win more money.

Said "I'm here to make a dollar out of fifteen cents" And was immediately shot to his death over debts
Larry is determined to succeed financially, but he is ultimately murdered because of the debts he incurred while gambling.

As Colin died, his mother cried By the EMS survived Said that he could be revived but they lied Afterlife realized that water from the skies Washes pain from our eyes so our hopes could rise
Colin's mother mourns his death as he is taken away in an ambulance. She is hopeful that he may still be able to be saved, but it is too late. Once he is dead, however, Colin's loved ones come to realize that his passing has allowed him to be freed from his pain and sorrows.

Now, J.J. punch-drunk, acts like a dumb fuck Bum touched girls looking young enough to thumb-suck
J.J. has suffered brain damage from repeated blows to the head, causing him to show a lack of intelligence and to engage in inappropriate behavior towards young girls.

Once sought a life thought it right to write about Now gets raped by Aryans in the big house (OUCH!)
J.J. used to have ambitions and aspirations, perhaps as a writer. But he is now incarcerated and is being raped by members of the Aryan Brotherhood while he is in prison.

Ted did 20 years for growing some weed Though he used to snort coke and dabble with speed
Ted was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the crime of growing marijuana, despite having past experience using other drugs like cocaine and amphetamines.

Welcome home, homie, here's a blunt with that You know the rules, bitch, take two and pass
Ted is greeted upon his release from prison with drugs, and is reminded of the informal social customs of sharing drugs.

I got one Jack or Jill Jill won't, Jack will Jill didn't, then did it Jack fell
This sequence of lines is difficult to interpret without more context, but seems to describe a scenario where the singer offers something to two people, but only one takes it. This results in the other person changing their mind and also wanting it, leading to some kind of negative consequence.

No cellophane secrets, be I guess I sense two felt bumps in the tar No cell But hell, you jump the bar so well Parted your partner's veil and dipped
This section is also somewhat opaque, but suggests that someone is investigating or observing someone else, and has noticed something hidden away. They then confront their partner over what they have found and proceed to leave them behind.

I'm New York harbor Tale of a sail, ripped sorta Stuck on purpose for tha love of birthplace But would have carried you home inside of my teeth anyday Turns out I wasn't cast in the master plan anyway
The artist identifies with New York harbor and relates a story of a sail that may have been destroyed or damaged on purpose to pay homage to New York's history. The artist also notes that they would have been willing to help someone in some way, but were never given the opportunity to do so.

He holds no grudge, holds his tongue, wow Same one she used to hold in both smiles
Someone is not harboring resentment or anger towards someone else, and is choosing not to speak up about their true feelings. The line about "both smiles" suggests that the recipient of the singer's anger was once very friendly to them.

? instinctual last shout if it killed me So you can ride up in the sun city guilt-free
This line is somewhat unclear, but may be suggesting that someone is speaking out or making a last-ditch effort to do something important before they die. The second part suggests that the audience can then live their lives freely without feeling guilty.

One year passed, the table is wobbling and your hollerin' back Sippin the fits you skip when shit cracks They never missed it Not a long haul, bullshit, kids kicked into the sink Shoebox, with a flicks of lipstick I'll love you forever, 'cause you know me better For the record, at one time, would have married you in a second But killed all our kindling dreams, and never get the friendship Or else by the time the stress wears out we'll both be dead and friendless
This final passage jumps between a variety of images and messages, but appears to be discussing the breakdown of a relationship. The artists are reflecting on the loss of what might have been, and how they regret not being able to maintain a connection despite past love. They may also be recognizing the temporary nature of things in general, as represented by the wobbling table and the skipped sips of a drink.