So What
Beastie Boys Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(To Mario C, you can't front on that)

Well, just plug me in just like I was Eddie Harris
You're eating crazy cheese like you would think I'm from Paris
You know I get fly, you think I get high
You know that I'm gone and I'm-a tell you all why

So tell me who are you dissing, maybe I'm missing
The reason that you're smilin' or wildin', so listen
In my head, I just want to take 'em down
Imagination set loose and I'm gonna shake 'em down

Let it flow like a mud-slide
When I get on, I like to ride and glide
I've got depth of perception in my text, y'all
I get props at my mention cause I vex, y'all

So, so what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I get so funny with my money that you flaunt
I said, "Where'd you get your information from" huh?
You think that you can front when revelation comes?
(Yeah, you can't front on that)

Well they call me Mike D, the ever-loving man
I'm like Spoonie Gee, well I'm the metropolitician (yeah-yeah-yeah)
You scream and you holler 'bout my Chevy Impala
But the sweat is getting wet around the ring around your collar

But like a dream I'm flowing without no stopping
Sweeter than a cherry pie with Reddi-wip topping
From mic to mic, kickin' it wall to wall
Well, I'll be calling out to people like a casting call

Ah, well, it's wack when you're jacked in the back of my ride
With your know, with your flow, when you're out getting by
Believe me, what you see is what you get
And you see me, I'm comin' off as you can bet

Well I think I'm losing my mind, this time
This time I'm losing my mind, that's right
Said I think I'm losing my mind, this time
This time, I'm losing my mind

(Yeah, you can't front on that)

But little do you know about something that I talk about
I'm tired of driving, it's due time that I walkabout
But in the meantime, I'm wise to the demise
I've got eyes in the back of my head so I realize

Well, I'm Dr. Spock, I'm here to rock, y'all
I want you off the wall, if you're playing the wall
I said what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I said what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)

Y'all suckers write me checks and then they bounce
So I reach into my pocket for the fresh amount
See, I'm the long-leaner, Vincent the Cleaner
I'm the illest motherfucker from here to Gardena

Well, I'm as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce
You've got the rhyme and reason, but got no cause
But if you're hot to trot, you think you're slicker than grease
I've got news for you crews, you'll be sucking like a leech

(Yeah, you can't front on that)

So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)




I said, what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I said, what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Beastie Boys' "So What'cha Want" are full of clever wordplay and braggadocious verses. From the very first line, the band sets the tone with their confident delivery, likening themselves to jazz musician Eddie Harris. The chorus, "So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want?" is an assertive challenge to their listeners and those who doubt their talent. The verses touch on a variety of themes, from calling out fake friends who front on their success to boasting about their flow and sense of style.


One of the key features of the song is the use of multiple vocal tracks, with different members of the group delivering lines that overlap and complement each other. This creates a dynamic and energetic effect that makes the song feel like a conversation between friends. The lyrics also play with different sounds and rhythms, incorporating slang and cultural references that reflect the band's New York City roots.


Overall, "So What'cha Want" is a confident and creative expression of Beastie Boys' talent and personality. It showcases their ability to blend different genres and styles into something wholly their own, and it remains a beloved classic in their catalog to this day.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, just plug me in just like I was Eddie Harris
I am ready to go and perform, just like Eddie Harris


You're eating crazy cheese like you would think I'm from Paris
You are enjoying some exotic cheese, as if it came from Paris


You know I get fly, you think I get high
You think I look cool, but you also think I might be on drugs


You know that I'm gone and I'm-a tell you all why
I'm in a different mindset than you and I'm going to explain why


So tell me who are you dissing, maybe I'm missing
Who are you disrespecting? Maybe I don't understand


The reason that you're smilin' or wildin', so listen
Please explain why you're acting happy or crazy, I'm listening


In my head, I just want to take 'em down
In my mind, I want to defeat my enemies


Imagination set loose and I'm gonna shake 'em down
I'm using my creativity to defeat them


Let it flow like a mud-slide
Let the music flow like a natural disaster


When I get on, I like to ride and glide
When I perform, I like to smoothly move around


I've got depth of perception in my text, y'all
My lyrics have a deep meaning behind them


I get props at my mention cause I vex, y'all
I receive recognition when my name is mentioned because I cause a reaction


So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
What is it that you want from me? (What do you want?)


I get so funny with my money that you flaunt
I make a lot of money and you like to show it off


I said, "Where'd you get your information from," huh?
Where did you learn what you think you know?


You think that you can front when revelation comes?
You think you can act like you knew all along when the truth is revealed?


(Yeah, you can't front on that)
(Yes, you cannot deny that)


Well they call me Mike D, the ever-loving man
My name is Mike D, and I'm always spreading love


I'm like Spoonie Gee, I'm the metropolitician
I'm a skilled rapper, like Spoonie Gee, and I'm from the city


You scream and you holler, 'bout my Chevy Impala
You make a fuss about my car, a Chevy Impala


But the sweat is getting wet around the ring around your collar
But you're nervous, because you're sweating around the ring of your collar


But like a dream I'm flowing without no stopping
My flow is like a dream, continuous and smooth


Sweeter than a cherry pie with Reddi Whip topping
My flow is sweet, like a cherry pie with whipped cream topping


From mic-to-mic, kickin' it wall-to-wall
I'm performing from one microphone to another, rocking every venue


Well, I'll be calling out you people like a casting call
I'll be shouting out to the crowd, like a movie director casting actors


Ah, well, it's wack when you're jacked in the back of a ride
It's not cool when you're hidden in the back of a car


With your know, with your flow, when you're out getting by
You think you know what to say and how to act, as you're just getting by


Believe me, what you see is what you get
Trust me, I am what I appear to be


And you see me, I'm comin' off as you can bet
You can be sure that I'm coming off well


Well I think I'm losing my mind, this time
I feel like I'm going crazy, right now


This time I'm losing my mind, that's right
Yes, I am definitely losing my mind


Said I think I'm losing my mind, this time
I'm telling you that I think I'm losing my mind


This time, I'm losing my mind
Right now, I am losing my mind


(Yeah, you can't front on that)
(Yes, you cannot deny that)


But little do you know about something that I talk about
You don't really know what I'm talking about


I'm tired of driving, it's due time that I walkabout
I'm tired of driving, it's time for me to take a walk and clear my mind


But in the meantime, I'm wise to the demise
But for now, I am aware of what's going wrong


I've got eyes in the back of my head so I realize
I am very aware of what's happening around me


Well, I'm Dr. Spock, I'm here to rock, y'all
I'm like the fictional character Dr. Spock, and I'm here to entertain


I want you off the wall, if you're playing the wall
I want you to join the party and stop standing around, if you're not already dancing


I said what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
I ask you again, what is it that you want from me? (What do you want?)


Y'all suckers write me checks and then they bounce
You all write me bad checks, and then they bounce back


So I reach into my pocket for the fresh amount
So I pull out cash from my pocket, to cover the amount


See, I'm the long-leaner, Vincent the Cleaner
I'm tall and lean, and I clean up any competition


I'm the illest motherfucker from here to Gardena
I'm the most talented rapper around, all the way to Gardena


Well, I'm as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce
I'm very calm, even in a difficult situation


You've got the rhyme and reason, but got no cause
You have skills as a rapper, but you lack a good reason for rapping


But if you're hot to trot, you think you're slicker than grease
But if you're excited to perform, you think you're very talented


I've got news for you crews, you'll be sucking like a leech
I have bad news for your group, you're actually not very good and will only disappoint


Yeah, you can't front on that
Yes, you have to agree with that


So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
Again, what is it that you want from me? (What do you want?)


So what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
Another time, what is it that you want? (What do you want?)


I said, what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
Once more, I ask you, what is it that you want from me? (What do you want?)


I said, what'cha, what'cha, what'cha want? (what'cha want?)
Again, I ask you, what is it that you want from me? (What do you want?)




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Horovitz, Adam Nathaniel Yauch, Michael Louis Diamond

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@staffh3815

Played this to my ten year old daughter she said it was terrible she's now doing well with her foster family

@cat_lover007

LMAO!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@jcee7714

lololz !!

@bhulet

I should try with my grand-daughters 😇

@kdb_777

😆😆😆

@gia444_

@@bhulet please dont

386 More Replies...

@10000fps

If I owned a country, this would be the National Anthem.

@micahjared8082

Im about to make a country : VoTE for ME, and this shall be the Theme.

@ciaranjefferies

Hell yes. Anyone who appreciates this must have a better idea than our current crop of idiots. It’s that bad we don’t have an opposition that seem able to tie their own shoe laces.

@jocelynlewis1843

Yes!

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