The first single from B.o.B's second album is Strange Clouds. It features Lil Wayne and according to the Strange Clouds Songfacts, it "is 3 minutes 47 seconds of bass heavy bragging.". The song was released on October 3, 2011.
Broken Bones
B.o.B Lyrics
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But your heart of stone can't break the seal
Can't break the seal
That's right I'm on the edge
Damn right I'm on the line
Blame it on my attitude
And the thoughts that's on my mind
Where the don't provide
Over time you tend to feel like you supposed to sail
Or you supposed to fail, or you supposed to die
Or you supposed to fly
Decatur's own, poster child
My "day one team" still hold me down
New niggas just want to get closer now
I'm like hold up now
What do I know you now? We are we homies now?
Lookin' at me like I'm holdin' out
What do I owe you now?
It ain't shit that nobody can tell me
They look at my train of thought
And they try to figure a way to derail me
But the way that they verbal assaultin'
As big as they thought it was not necessarily
That's the way it is so apparently
One day you're the hero, the next you're the villain
Your own people ready to bury ya
You can break my bones
But your heart of stone can't break the seal
Can't break the seal
You can take all I own
But you can never take the soul away from me
Away from me
Rest in peace, rest in peace
To my pastor, rest in peace
Can't look back at yesterday
What can they say, what's left to see?
I flip the style up and became the thing they said I'd never be
Whatever obstacle they threw I have surpassed successfully
And you can try to overlook me but I'm too much of a giant
And if I ain't at the top, shit I must be right beside it
So don't try to sell me bullshit, I'm too gifted to buy it
If I sold common sense, you'd be too stupid to buy it, uhh
I can't dumb it down, how the fuck I sound?
Tryin' to dumb it down
You just thought you knew me 'til you figured out
What I was about
Cause what I was is not the same as now
I ain't jaded that's just how I view the game and how I play it
It's just greed and entertainment
But it ain't so entertainin'
When niggas is hungry and you in they city
You lookin' like money and fingers is itchin'
You won't see it comin' you totally ignorant to it
No one in your clique is a shooter
Every killer say that he'll do it
Every nigga claim that they is the truest
But you couldn't prove it until they go through it
When temperatures flare up and niggas get stupid
There's no longer hype it's no longer 'bout music
There's no more illusion
No more confusion
Know who you can trust, who you can fuck
That bitch that you with, she settin' you up
But never forget that karma's a bitch
When she comes around, remember to duck (duck)
You can break my bones
But your heart of stone can't break the seal
Can't break the seal
You can take all I own
But you can never take the soul away from me
Away from me
In B.o.B's song "Broken Bones," he speaks on his unwavering and unbreakable spirit despite the struggles that come with being a successful rapper. He begins the song by acknowledging that people may try to hurt him physically or emotionally, but they will never break his spirit. His past experiences have shaped him, and he recognizes that he has had to fight for what he has achieved. The rapper mentions that his upbringing on the poorer side of town in Decatur, Georgia, where opportunities were few and far between, has made him resilient. He recognizes that people may question his motives or intentions, but he knows what he's worth, and nothing can destroy his confidence.
B.o.B acknowledges that it's not easy being successful and that people will always be looking to bring him down. He does, however, remain confident, stating: "Whatever obstacle they threw, I have surpassed successfully." He makes it known that he's aware of how his success may look to others, and that he's aware of the dangers it poses. Nevertheless, he remains strong and steadfast, recognizing that there is always an element of risk associated with success. The song ends on the note of karma being a bitch, and that it is important to stay vigilant as you never know who might be out to get you.
Overall, B.o.B's "Broken Bones" speaks to the reality of being successful in the music industry, and how people will always try to bring you down. The rapper acknowledges his resilience and reminds us to remain steadfast despite the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
You can break my bones
Physical harm can be inflicted upon me
But your heart of stone can't break the seal
Your emotional coldness cannot damage my inner strength
That's right I'm on the edge
I am living dangerously
Damn right I'm on the line
My life is on the edge of something great or very bad
Blame it on my attitude
My approach to life may be the reason for my situation
And the thoughts that's on my mind
The ideas and beliefs within my psyche
All because I came up on the poorer side
My economic background and upbringing were not privileged
Where the don't provide
Resources and opportunities are limited
Over time you tend to feel like you supposed to sail
As time goes by, the feeling of being destined for success grows
Or you supposed to fail, or you supposed to die
Alternatively, the feeling of being destined for failure or death may arise
Or you supposed to fly
One may feel like they are destined to soar to great heights
Decatur's own, poster child
I am a proud representative of my hometown, Decatur, Georgia
My "day one team" still hold me down
My earliest and closest friends continue to support me
New niggas just want to get closer now
Recently acquainted individuals try to build a relationship with me
I'm like hold up now
I am hesitant to trust and engage with new people
What do I know you now? We are we homies now?
I am questioning your intentions and motives for wanting to befriend me
Lookin' at me like I'm holdin' out
You are suspicious of me keeping secrets or holding back information
What do I owe you now?
I am not obligated to provide for you or do you any favors
It ain't shit that nobody can tell me
I am confident in my own beliefs and decisions
They look at my train of thought
Others observe and analyze my way of thinking
And they try to figure a way to derail me
People attempt to disrupt or obstruct my progress
But the way that they verbal assaultin'
Their attempts at undermining me through words are ineffective
As big as they thought it was not necessarily
Their perceived impact is not as significant as they believed it to be
That's the way it is so apparently
This is the reality of the situation
One day you're the hero, the next you're the villain
Public opinion can fluctuate greatly
Your own people ready to bury ya
Even those closest to you may betray you
You can take all I own
My material possessions can be taken from me
But you can never take the soul away from me
My inner strength and spirit cannot be stolen
Rest in peace, rest in peace
May those who have passed away rest in peace
To my pastor, rest in peace
A specific individual, my pastor, who has passed away
Can't look back at yesterday
I cannot undo or change the past
What can they say, what's left to see?
Others have no new information or commentary about my current situation
I flip the style up and became the thing they said I'd never be
I have evolved and changed in ways that others did not expect
Whatever obstacle they threw I have surpassed successfully
I have overcome numerous challenges and barriers
And you can try to overlook me but I'm too much of a giant
You may underestimate me, but I am too powerful or influential to ignore
And if I ain't at the top, shit I must be right beside it
I may not be the absolute best, but I am among the top contenders
So don't try to sell me bullshit, I'm too gifted to buy it
Do not try to deceive me, I am too intelligent to fall for it
If I sold common sense, you'd be too stupid to buy it, uhh
Even if I were to try to help you, you may still not understand
I can't dumb it down, how the fuck I sound?
I cannot simplify my message any further, it would be ridiculous to try
Tryin' to dumb it down
Attempting to simplify my message for others
You just thought you knew me 'til you figured out
Others had a preconceived notion of me, but they have come to understand me better
What I was about
My true intentions and character
Cause what I was is not the same as now
I have grown and changed since we last interacted
I ain't jaded that's just how I view the game and how I play it
I am not cynical, I simply have a certain perspective on life and how I approach it
It's just greed and entertainment
In many aspects of life, it is all about making money and providing entertainment
But it ain't so entertainin'
The reality of the situation may not be enjoyable despite the attempt at entertainment
When niggas is hungry and you in they city
When people are desperate for resources in their local area
You lookin' like money and fingers is itchin'
You may appear wealthy and vulnerable, and others are tempted to rob or harm you
You won't see it comin' you totally ignorant to it
You may be oblivious to the danger around you
No one in your clique is a shooter
None of the people around you are capable of violent acts
Every killer say that he'll do it
Many people claim to be capable of violence but may not actually follow through
Every nigga claim that they is the truest
Many people claim to be genuine and trustworthy
But you couldn't prove it until they go through it
You cannot confirm their claims until they are tested
When temperatures flare up and niggas get stupid
When emotions run high and people behave recklessly
There's no longer hype it's no longer 'bout music
The focus shifts from music and entertainment to violence and danger
There's no more illusion
There is no longer any deception or false beliefs
No more confusion
There is no longer any misunderstanding or ambiguity
Know who you can trust, who you can fuck
Identify the people you can depend on and those to avoid
That bitch that you with, she settin' you up
Your romantic partner may be planning to betray you
But never forget that karma's a bitch
The negative consequences of your actions will eventually catch up to you
When she comes around, remember to duck (duck)
Be prepared for the consequences and try to avoid them if possible
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bobby Ray Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind