His mother was an English literature professor from Jamaica. His father was a Ph.D. Marxist writer, active in the Zimbabwe War of Liberation and then a member of the government in Zimbabwe. In 1980, the family moved to Zimbabwe. After the death of Woods' father, they returned to the United States in 1989. Woods briefly attended Howard University before getting involved in New York City's hip-hop scene. He started making music in the late 1990s. He wrote his "first real rhyme" at a laundromat in Kennebunk, Maine in 1997.
Billy Woods released his debut solo album, Camouflage, on his record label Backwoodz Studioz in 2003. In 2012, he released History Will Absolve Me. In 2013, he released Dour Candy, which was entirely produced by Blockhead. In 2017, he released Known Unknowns. It was included on Rolling Stone's "15 Great Albums You Probably Didn't Hear in 2017" list. In 2019, he released a collaborative album with producer Kenny Segal, titled Hiding Places, and a solo album, Terror Management. 2020 brought Brass, a collaborative album with Moor Mother. Woods released Aethiopes and Church in 2022. On May 5th 2023 Woods released Maps , second collaborative album with producer Kenny Segal.
Snake Oil
Billy Woods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He who hold the sky aloft
The ark pitch and toss
Dark bark and moss, paradise lost
In a shower of sparks
Warplanes scream into the night
It rains on the just and unjust alike
Butane flame, nimble fingers spin meth pipe
Squinting into scope, eyes is black dice
Improvised explosive device
Now you see the light white
Phosphorous bright black truck, black Moses
Black tar sucked out black oceans
Diesel fumes choking blacks in the endzone
Gyratin' and boastin'
Dozed off, shotgun broken open
Laid cross his lap
Woke to footsteps approaching
Meet the new me, meet the new me
Meet the new me, meet the new me
Meet the new me, meet the new me
Meet the new me, meet the new me
Meet the new me
My supplier got rich and quit
Tucked his hat brim as he dipped
Looking back like might let something slip
But thought better i've got a mismatched
Assortment of half-measures
Contents under pressure, empty handed
Angry beggar rubber banded sunken treasure
No problem with you, for the record
But never say never
Thick as flies in the sky, bombers let fly
Who lives, lives, who dies, dies
Minimum wage will keep the fryer on high
Rag soaked in turpentine
Every night polish rhymes
Til CO's see my black scowl in the shine
Head on swivel, prosthetic hand on pistol
Ham on griddle, ribbons of gristle
Found me in the woods, fire low, roach little
Eyes aglow, mouth full of riddles
In "Snake Oil," Billy Woods reflects on the cyclical nature of power and the deceptive promises of authority figures. The opening line, "New boss same as the old boss," highlights the perpetuation of oppressive systems despite superficial changes in leadership. The image of holding the sky aloft suggests a position of control and dominance, while the mention of the ark pitch and toss alludes to the chaos and uncertainty of the world. The references to paradise lost and a shower of sparks hint at the destructive consequences of unchecked power.
The lyrics also touch on the presence of violence and injustice, symbolized by warplanes screaming into the night and the rain falling indiscriminately on the just and unjust. The image of a meth pipe being spun and the mention of black dice and an improvised explosive device further emphasize the destructive aspects of power. The line "Now you see the light white, phosphorous bright" highlights the blinding nature of power and its ability to obscure the truth.
The second verse introduces the idea of a new version of oneself, perhaps reflecting the changing identities people assume in response to shifting circumstances. The supplier's decision to quit after becoming rich alludes to the opportunistic nature of power dynamics. The line "No problem with you, for the record, but never say never" suggests a cautious acknowledgement of the potential for betrayal and the need to always remain vigilant.
Overall, "Snake Oil" delves into the themes of power, deception, and the cyclical nature of oppressive systems. It highlights the destructive consequences of unchecked authority while urging listeners to question and challenge the promises made by those in positions of power.
Line by Line Meaning
New boss same as the old boss
The new leader is no different from the previous one
He who hold the sky aloft
An individual who has great influence and control
The ark pitch and toss
The situation is uncertain and unstable
Dark bark and moss, paradise lost
The beauty and innocence of a perfect world are gone
In a shower of sparks
In a sudden burst of excitement or chaos
Warplanes scream into the night
Military aggression and violence
It rains on the just and unjust alike
Misfortunes and challenges affect everyone equally, regardless of their actions or character
Butane flame, nimble fingers spin meth pipe
Engaging in dangerous and destructive behavior with drugs
You guessed right, sightseeing with the folks
Interacting with people who are ignorant or unaware of the true nature of things
Squinting into scope, eyes is black dice
Trying to see clearly through a distorted and uncertain perspective
Improvised explosive device
Creating a deadly weapon out of available resources
Now you see the light white
Understanding the harsh reality and truth of a situation
Phosphorous bright black truck, black Moses
Symbolizing a figure or force that leads people towards destruction
Black tar sucked out black oceans
Extracting valuable resources from exploited and oppressed communities
Diesel fumes choking blacks in the endzone
Systemic and environmental factors negatively impacting marginalized communities
Gyratin' and boastin'
Showing off and displaying power or confidence
Dozed off, shotgun broken open
Being careless and vulnerable, leaving oneself exposed to danger
Laid cross his lap
Placed in a position of control or power
Woke to footsteps approaching
Becoming aware of potential threats or dangers
Meet the new me, meet the new me
Introducing a transformed version of oneself
My supplier got rich and quit
The person who provided resources or support became successful and left the situation
Tucked his hat brim as he dipped
Leaving discreetly and avoiding attention
Looking back like might let something slip
Being cautious about revealing information or secrets
But thought better i've got a mismatched assortment of half-measures
Deciding against sharing incomplete or ineffective actions
Contents under pressure, empty handed
Feeling the weight of expectations but having nothing to offer
Angry beggar rubber banded sunken treasure
Someone in a desperate and deprived state clinging to their few possessions
No problem with you, for the record
Stating that there is no personal issue or conflict
But never say never
Expressing the possibility of unforeseen events or circumstances
Thick as flies in the sky, bombers let fly
A large number of bombs being dropped from the air
Who lives, lives, who dies, dies
Survival and death are determined by circumstances
Minimum wage will keep the fryer on high
Working long hours for little pay, struggling to make ends meet
Rag soaked in turpentine
Using harsh and damaging substances to clean or fix something
Every night polish rhymes
Continuously refining and perfecting one's artistic abilities
Til CO's see my black scowl in the shine
Persisting until those in power recognize one's true emotions or intentions
Head on swivel, prosthetic hand on pistol
Being constantly vigilant and ready for potential threats
Ham on griddle, ribbons of gristle
Cooking meat on a heated surface, representing the harsh realities and struggles of life
Found me in the woods, fire low, roach little
Discovering oneself in a vulnerable and disadvantaged position, with limited resources
Eyes aglow, mouth full of riddles
Having a mysterious and enigmatic presence, often speaking in cryptic or confusing ways
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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