I'm Down
Beastie Boys Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My girl likes franks
Not pork and beans

I'm gonna wax that girl right out them jeans
I'm down - I'm fully down
I'm down - ah yeah I'm down
I'm down - homeboy I'm down
"How can you laugh?"
Because you know I'm down
"How can you laugh?"
Because I'm fully D, because I keep a loaded pistol inside my pants

Find a def girl and do the new dance
I'm down
I'm down - homeboy I'm down
I'm down - in Brooklyn I'm down
"How can you laugh?"
Because you know I'm down
"How can you laugh?"
I'm fully D yeah
Took me to the bathroom and ran her lip
'Cause I smacked in her face and on that tip
I'm down - oh yeah I'm down
I'm down - oh my gosh I'm down
I'm down - homebody I'm down
"How can you laugh?"
Because you know I'm down
"How can you laugh?"
Homeboy I'm D! Mike D! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Yeah!
I'm down - in Brooklyn I'm down
I'm down - in the Bronx I'm down
I'm down - in Queens I'm down
I'm down - in Manhattan I'm down
I'm down - I'm from that town, it ain't the South
I'm down
I'm down - I'm goose down
I'm down - and I'm Gucci down
I'm down - and I'm Fila down
I'm down - I'm crackhouse down
I'm down - (inaudible) all your girlies going down
I'm down - yeah-ahh
I'm down - on the Ave I'm down
I'm down - and I'm schoolly down
I'm down - and my gold is down
I'm down - I'm def oh yeah, why'all squares know that I'm down
I'm down - ah yeah I'm down
I'm down - Steve Ett is down
I'm down - all the dust busters down
I'm down - and you know I'm down
I'm down - and my crew and my posse are down
I'm down - yeah buddy I'm down
I'm down - home piss I'm down
I'm down - oh boy-ee yeah-ah!
I'm down - come on homeboy
I'm down - ahh
I'm down - The Brook is down
I'm down - oh you know it's down
I'm down - and I'm lookin' at my Gucci
I'm down
I'm down
I'm down
I'm down
I'm down




I'm down
I'm down

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Down" by Beastie Boys is a classic hip-hop track that is often cited as an example of their early work. The lyrics are a mix of slang and insider references, but the overall message of the song is clear: the rapper is tough, streetwise, and ready for anything. The beginning of the song focuses on the rapper's love interest and his desire to impress her with his swagger. He says his girl likes "franks" and not "pork and beans," which could be a reference to hot dogs (franks) being more luxurious than canned beans. He then boasts that he will impress her by "waxing" her out of her jeans, which seems to imply a sexual connotation.


The rest of the song is filled with references to the rapper's toughness and his ability to take on anyone who crosses him. He talks about having a loaded pistol in his pants and being willing to fight anyone who gets in his way. The chorus of the song repeats the line "How can you laugh?" which could be interpreted as the rapper questioning why anyone would doubt his toughness. Overall, the song is a reflection of the Beastie Boys' early sound and style, which was heavily influenced by the streets of New York City.


Line by Line Meaning

My girl likes franks
My significant other prefers hot dogs over beans


Not pork and beans
She does not like pork and beans as much as she likes franks


I'm gonna wax that girl right out them jeans
I am going to seduce her and make her take off her tight pants


I'm down - I'm fully down
I am committed and ready for whatever comes my way


I'm down - ah yeah I'm down
I agree and am ready for anything that might happen


I'm down - homeboy I'm down
I am willing to engage in anything you propose, my friend


"How can you laugh?"
Why are you laughing?


Because you know I'm down
You are laughing because you are aware that I am ready to act


"How can you laugh?"
Why are you still laughing?


Because I'm fully D, because I keep a loaded pistol inside my pants
You're laughing because I told you that I am ready to use force to get what I want


Find a def girl and do the new dance
Let's find an attractive girl who can dance and then learn a new dance together


Took me to the bathroom and ran her lip
She took me to the bathroom and started to talk and argue with me


'Cause I smacked in her face and on that tip
So I hit her in the face and ended the argument


I'm down - oh yeah I'm down
I am ready to take on whatever comes my way


I'm down - oh my gosh I'm down
I am fully prepared to face any challenge


I'm down - homebody I'm down
I am ready to participate in any activity, my friend


"How can you laugh?"
Why are you still laughing?


Because you know I'm down
You are laughing because you know that I am ready to act


"How can you laugh?"
Why are you still laughing?


Homeboy I'm D! Mike D! Ha-ha-ha-ha! Yeah!
You are laughing because of my nickname, which is Mike D


I'm down - in Brooklyn I'm down
I am committed to whatever is happening, especially if it is in Brooklyn


I'm down - in the Bronx I'm down
I am willing and ready to participate in activities even if they're in the Bronx


I'm down - in Queens I'm down
I am excited and willing to get involved in anything that is happening in Queens


I'm down - in Manhattan I'm down
I am willing to participate in anything that happens in Manhattan


I'm down - I'm from that town, it ain't the South
I am down to participate and represent my hometown in any activity, and it is not in the Southern part of the United States.


I'm down
I am ready and willing to act


I'm down - I'm goose down
I am very down and very committed to any activity


I'm down - and I'm Gucci down
I am always fashionable and trendy


I'm down - and I'm Fila down
I am loyal to my favorite brand and always wear Fila shoes


I'm down - I'm crackhouse down
I am down with the people who live in the crackhouse


I'm down - (inaudible) all your girlies going down
All the women will be attracted to me because I am down for anything


I'm down - yeah-ahh
I am committed and enthusiastic about any activity


I'm down - on the Ave I'm down
I am willing to participate in anything that occurs on the avenue


I'm down - and I'm schoolly down
I am willing to participate in any class or club activity


I'm down - and my gold is down
I am committed, even when my gold is not shiny and flashy


I'm down - I'm def oh yeah, why'all squares know that I'm down
I am very cool and enthusiastic, and all the uncool people know and understand that I am committed


I'm down - ah yeah I'm down
I am excited and enthusiastic about participating


I'm down - Steve Ett is down
Steve Ett is fully and enthusiastically committed and ready to participate


I'm down - all the dust busters down
Even the people who clean dust off the ground are committed to participating


I'm down - and you know I'm down
You know that I am always ready and willing to act


I'm down - and my crew and my posse are down
Everyone who is associated with me is committed and prepared to participate


I'm down - yeah buddy I'm down
I am your buddy and I am fully committed and ready to engage in anything


I'm down - home piss I'm down
I am in the outhouse and ready to participate


I'm down - oh boy-ee yeah-ah!
I am enthusiastic and committed to the activity that we are doing


I'm down - come on homeboy
Come on my friend, let's do this together


I'm down - ahh
I am committed and ready to act


I'm down - The Brook is down
The Brook is committed and ready to participate


I'm down - oh you know it's down
Of course, I am committed and fully prepared to engage in any activity


I'm down - and I'm lookin' at my Gucci
I'm fully engaged and focused, even as I look at my Gucci


I'm down
I am ready and committed to engage in any activity


I'm down
I am committed and enthusiastic about anything that might happen


I'm down
I am fully prepared and committed to act


I'm down
I am ready and willing to participate in any activity


I'm down
I am excited and ready for anything


I'm down
I am fully committed and prepared to act


I'm down
I am always involved and excited about participating




Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Shxrpcloudz8445

I love beastie boys my fav rap group

@albioninmate3571

I'm here cos it's mentioned in Broken Record podcast from 30 Apr 2019, never knew this existed, thanks!

@Bluetlc4

I guess me hearing this 20+ years ago is obsolete

@jettastoiletrollshrine3006

this put a smile on my face :)

@MrJett1971

I love the Beatles. I love the beastie boys. But how did I manage to watch that whole video…?

@dietcheese2546

Good mashup

@fluffypeanut5948

Lol I’m the 1000th sub

@MadGS1100e

Delightfully awful. Thanks for posting.

@turbofrog8300

fucking fire

@MiguelSantiago22

These guys were party animals lol R.I.P. to MCA

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