With one of her first singles turning into a national hit, 1962's "Let Me Down Easy", Detroit-raised LaVette would seem a natural soul star, but she was never able to cut an album deal. In 1972 her album A Child of the Seventies was shelved by Atlantic Records, then thought lost forever in a fire. She eked out a living on the European festival circuit, occasionally surfacing such as with the disco single "Doin' the Best that I Can", but remained obscure until French soul collector Gilles Petard tracked down the lost masters and persuaded Atlantic to let him release them on his vanity label as Souvenirs. A live album and 2005's cover album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise followed.
With the release of The Scene of the Crime, Bettye Lavette inches closer to the mainstream, or at least a much bigger cult following. Backed by The Drive-by Truckers and released on -Anti, The Scene of the Crime is recorded at the legendary FAME studios in Muscles Shoals, Alabama. The same place as her lost album. The connection doesn't end there - Patterson Hood of the Drive-by Truckers is the son of David Hood, who played on the 1972 album.
In 2009, she appeared at President Barack Obama's Inaugural Celebration, singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" with Jon Bon Jovi. It was televised globally.
Fortune Teller
Bettye LaVette Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling so mellow
Fresh up at the style
But there′s nothing on my schedule
Motha f'ah what it do
My steezes be the swaggiest
Fits real clean but
That′s why I'm working for it all
Other dudes can have it quick
Easy come easy go
Miss me with that slack of shit
I spit like I had a list
Rap gang fallin shit
Life can be easy if you know how to balance it
I started from the bottom
And I'm still up in my room
Chilling up in my boxers
Sittin watching cartoons
Have a bowl of cereal
Call that shit the breakfast club
Lifting heavy bars and running like a marathon
Y′all had carry on
Had it on a t shirt
Hipster rash shit
Nigga hips and a knees hurt
Yeah you know I′m winning
It's just the beginning
I ain′t even started yeah wait 'til
I start sprinting
Find me chillin with some niggas
Who be always down the ride
Showing up late man
I′m never on time
Yea you wanna see me right
You can see me online
Got a stash full of tracks
That should have blown your mind
Yeah
Watching cartoons up in my room
(Watching cartoons up in my room)
Yeah
Watching cartoons up in my room
(Watching cartoons up in my room)
Yeah
Started from the bottom on that bullshit
When I told the world a hundred shows then we movin'
Tooty ones up on my feet
You know what the motion be
I′m trying to take your glow
But I'm starting small low fully
Fuck is yall supporting me
This is passion
Fuck the game man
This ain't madden
My haters mad and
I′m flier than Aladdin
Bad chicks snatchin
I′m sitting back laughing
Looking back at chances
Wishing that I had of
Maybe id be happier
Maybe id be sadder
I really don't know
I′m going with the flow
I'm livin for today
So let′s go
Watching cartoons up in my room
(Watching cartoons up in my room)
Yeah
Watching cartoons up in my room
(Watching cartoons up in my room)
Yeah
Watching cartoons up in my room
(Watching cartoons up in my room)
Yeah
Watching cartoons up in my room
(Watching cartoons up in my room)
Yeah
Please note that the lyrics provided are not "Fortune Teller" by Bettye Lavette but "Cartoons" by Logic. Here's an interpretation of "Cartoons" by Logic:
"Cartoons" by Logic is a laid-back and reflective track that finds the rapper ruminating on his rise to success and the people he's met along the way. The opening lines suggest a sense of ease and tranquility as he wakes up feeling mellow, with nothing on his schedule, giving listeners a glimpse into the life he leads behind the scenes. The lyrics then move on to talk about Logic's work ethic – his steezes may be the swaggiest, but he's willing to work hard for it all while other dudes can have it quick. He is not willing to let success slip out of his hand easily, and anyone who wants to compete with him must come correct.
Logic goes on to describe his journey from the bottom – he started small but is now winning, and it's just the beginning, and he can't wait for what's to come. He reflects on the people he's met on this journey, both good and bad, and how they've helped him get where he is. This introspection allows him to appreciate the present moment and to live for today as he watches cartoons, relaxes with his bowl of cereal, and lifts heavy bars.
In short, "Cartoons" by Logic is about his journey to success; he's now more popular than he ever thought possible, but he yearns for the days when things were simpler. The song's message is to work hard and stay focused on the prize, but also to appreciate the moments of leisure and togetherness along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Waking up like hello
Starting the day with energy and enthusiasm
Feeling so mellow
Feeling calm and relaxed
Fresh up at the style
Looking good and fashionable
But there's nothing on my schedule
Not having any plans or commitments for the day
Motha f'ah what it do
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what's to come
My steezes be the swaggiest
Having the coolest and most stylish outfit
Fits real clean but
The clothes are very neat and well-maintained
My flows be the nastiest
Being very good at rapping and delivering powerful lyrics
That's why I'm working for it all
Putting in hard work to achieve one's goals
Other dudes can have it quick
Not being envious of others who achieve success quickly
Easy come easy go
Things that are easily gained can be lost just as easily
Miss me with that slack of shit
Not accepting laziness or mediocrity
I spit like I had a list
Rapping with precision and clarity
Rap gang fallin shit
Being part of a community of rappers who are committed to excellence
Life can be easy if you know how to balance it
Finding a balance between work and play
I started from the bottom
Beginning one's journey from the very beginning
And I'm still up in my room
Spending time alone in one's personal space
Chilling up in my boxers
Relaxing in comfortable clothing
Sittin watching cartoons
Enjoying simple pleasures and entertainment
Have a bowl of cereal
Eating breakfast in a casual and relaxed manner
Call that shit the breakfast club
Giving a playful name to one's breakfast routine
Lifting heavy bars and running like a marathon
Working out and staying in shape
Y'all had carry on
Others can continue doing what they're doing
Had it on a t shirt
Putting one's message on a piece of clothing
Hipster rash shit
Being stylish and trendy
Nigga hips and a knees hurt
Experiencing discomfort from dancing or performing
Yeah you know I'm winning
Feeling confident and successful
It's just the beginning
Realizing that there's still a long way to go
I ain't even started yeah wait 'til
Looking forward to future success
I start sprinting
Accelerating one's efforts and taking action
Find me chillin with some niggas
Hanging out with friends and comrades
Who be always down the ride
Being loyal and dependable friends
Showing up late man
Not being overly punctual or strict about time
I'm never on time
Not being particularly concerned with timeliness
Yea you wanna see me right
Wanting to witness one's success and progress
You can see me online
Showing off achievements and activities through social media
Got a stash full of tracks
Having a collection of recorded music
That should have blown your mind
Having confidence in one's music talent
Started from the bottom on that bullshit
Beginning life's journey in challenging circumstances
When I told the world a hundred shows then we movin'
Setting ambitious goals for oneself and striving to achieve them
Tooty ones up on my feet
Wearing stylish and colorful shoes
You know what the motion be
Knowing what it takes to succeed and keep things moving
I'm trying to take your glow
Competing with others and wanting to stand out
But I'm starting small low fully
Beginning with small steps and building up
Fuck is y'all supporting me
Not needing approval or validation from others
This is passion
Pursuing music as a deeply personal calling
Fuck the game man
Rejecting the conventions or norms of the music industry
This ain't madden
Not approaching music as just a game or competition
My haters mad and
Having detractors or enemies who are upset by one's success
I'm flier than Aladdin
Believing in oneself and feeling confident
Bad chicks snatchin
Attracting attention from attractive women
I'm sitting back laughing
Feeling amused or entertained by one's own success
Looking back at chances
Reflecting on past opportunities or decisions
Wishing that I had of
Regretting missed opportunities or past mistakes
Maybe id be happier
Wondering about alternative paths or outcomes
Maybe id be sadder
Acknowledging that different choices lead to different emotions
I really don't know
Admitting uncertainty or lack of knowledge
I'm going with the flow
Being adaptable and flexible in the face of change
I'm livin for today
Focusing on the present and enjoying life in the moment
So let's go
Embracing the opportunities and experiences of the present moment
Watching cartoons up in my room
Enjoying simple pleasures and moments of relaxation
(Watching cartoons up in my room)
Repeating the refrain for emphasis
Yeah
Expressing positivity and excitement
Writer(s): David Bernard Crawford, Brad Shapiro
Contributed by Grayson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.