Spider Hole
Billy Woods Lyrics
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Weight taped to my body
Barbarians at gate, Benghazi
Wait
Tape ain't even out yet how the hell they get a copy?
Survive by the grace
Grace Mugabe
Averted eyes advise passing through the building lobby
National Geographic negroes cooking coke
Anthropologist watch negroes sell dope
A huddle corner's corner stores jot notes
Hand to hand, much as they forefathers before
It's a good trope, trope (It's a good trope)
Fascinating stuff
Thumb and forefinger where the coke was clutched
Four million USD hovering over some mud huts
It's nuts
It's not the heat it's the dust
Sour when the wind gust, crush
Broad smile copping legal weed from fake hole in the wall
I don't want to go see Nas with an orchestra at Carnegie Hall
No man of the people, I wouldn't be caught dead with most of y'all
"Don't call me again" what I shoulda said when he called
Broad smile copping legal weed from fake hole in the wall
I don't want to go see Nas with an orchestra at Carnegie Hall
No man of the people, I wouldn't be caught dead with none of y'all
"Don't call me again" what I'll say when you call
It's just me in the spider hole
That's the best part
From here the war seem really far
The mirror was a shot
No beef, I cook the chicken in lard
Crept in your house like a thief, propped your window ajar
First time I saw them put a trap in the car
Eyes wide
Felt like the internet
Snipers in the minaret
Little tiny spoon for the mignonette
The job was to sit there all day and press refresh
Decline politely, proceeded to spread the blame widely
Rubber gloves
Crisp lapels
Bloodshot in high society, you know his turds don't smell
To the desperate souls spells
Confident I'd never see him again
"And if so what?"
You get what you pay for in the end
Yeah, she's got her own game goin' on
What does that mean?
You know what it means
You've got your game goin' on
I've got my game
What- what's, uh, what's your game?
Everybody's got a game
The opening lines of Billy Woods and Kenny Segal's song "Spider Hole" transport the listener to an eerie, tense setting. The singer is holding his breath in a crawl space, with a weight taped to his body, while barbarians are at the gate. The reference to Benghazi heightens the anxiety of the situation, with the suggestion of a dangerous conflict taking place nearby. The singer is surviving by the grace of Grace Mugabe, the controversial former first lady of Zimbabwe. As he moves through the building, he observes the activity around him with detached curiosity. He sees National Geographic negroes cooking coke, and anthropologists watching as negroes sell dope. The imagery of the "huddle corner's corner stores jot notes" evokes the feeling of a secretive, underground world. The final line of this verse, "It's a good trope" is both sarcastic and knowing, with the suggestion that this kind of activity is a cliché, but still fascinating to observe.
In the second verse, the tension is somewhat relieved by a humorous image of the singer buying legal weed from a fake hole in the wall with a broad smile on his face. However, this is quickly followed by the declaration that he wouldn't be caught dead with most of the people around him. The line "It's just me in the spider hole, that's the best part," reinforces the sense of isolation and detachment that runs throughout the song. The reference to the "shot" that the mirror provides adds to this feeling, suggesting that the singer is living in a kind of suspended animation, where time and space are unclear. As the verse continues, the image of a tiny spoon for the mignonette adds an element of luxury to the proceedings, while the repeated refrain of "you get what you pay for in the end" suggests a resigned acceptance of the dangers and uncertainty of this world.
Overall, "Spider Hole" is a dense, layered song that evokes a particular mood and setting with precision and skill. The combination of evocative imagery and sparse, staccato delivery creates a feeling of unease and tension that is difficult to shake off.
Line by Line Meaning
Holding my breath in the crawl space
I am stuck in a dark, tight space and I have to hold my breath to avoid being heard or detected.
Weight taped to my body
I am carrying something heavy that is taped to my body, possibly to hinder my movement or conceal it from others.
Barbarians at gate, Benghazi
There is a threat or danger approaching, possibly referencing the Benghazi attack, which could lead to violence or harm.
Wait
I need to pause for a moment and assess the situation before taking action or responding.
Tape ain't even out yet how the hell they get a copy?
The content is not officially released yet, so how did someone get a copy ahead of time?
Survive by the grace
I am only surviving due to luck or divine intervention.
Grace Mugabe
Reference to the former first lady of Zimbabwe, known for controversy and violence.
Averted eyes advise passing through the building lobby
I need to avoid making eye contact and quickly move through the lobby to avoid detection or suspicion.
You don't wanna smoke?
Do you not want to purchase or consume drugs?
National Geographic negroes cooking coke
There is a racial stereotype of black people engaging in drug-related crimes.
Anthropologist watch negroes sell dope
Even scientists are observing and studying the phenomenon of black people selling drugs in their communities.
A huddle corner's corner stores jot notes
People in urban areas are constantly taking notes on things they see, especially drug-related activity.
Hand to hand, much as they forefathers before
The exchange of drugs and money has been happening for generations in certain communities.
It's a good trope, trope
This is a recognizable and popular theme or stereotype in media.
Fascinating stuff
This is a compelling and interesting observation, perhaps in a sarcastic or ironic tone.
Thumb and forefinger where the coke was clutched
There is a visual image of someone tightly holding a bag of cocaine with their thumb and forefinger.
Four million USD hovering over some mud huts
Money is being spent in one area while others are struggling to get by with basic resources.
It's nuts
This is a crazy and absurd situation.
It's not the heat it's the dust
The environment is harsh and inhospitable, making it difficult to survive.
Sour when the wind gust, crush
The harsh reality and conditions can be soul-crushing and oppressive, even when a glimmer of hope appears.
Broad smile copping legal weed from fake hole in the wall
I am buying marijuana from a disguised or hidden location with a sense of satisfaction or pleasure.
I don't want to go see Nas with an orchestra at Carnegie Hall
I do not want to be part of a mainstream, gentrified version of hip hop culture or music.
No man of the people, I wouldn't be caught dead with most of y'all
I do not identify with or associate with the majority of society or people around me.
"Don't call me again" what I shoulda said when he called
I regret not setting clear boundaries and communicating that I do not want to be contacted again.
No man of the people, I wouldn't be caught dead with none of y'all
I do not identify with or associate with any of the people around me.
"Don't call me again" what I'll say when you call
I have learned from my past mistakes and will be clear and assertive in setting boundaries with people who contact me.
It's just me in the spider hole
I am alone in a hidden and isolated location.
That's the best part
Being alone in a hidden location brings a sense of peace or comfort.
From here the war seem really far
Being in a hidden location makes it seem like the conflict or danger far away and not an immediate threat.
The mirror was a shot
Looking in the mirror was like a wake-up call or a sudden realization of something.
No beef, I cook the chicken in lard
There is no conflict or issue, just a preference for cooking chicken in a certain way.
Crept in your house like a thief, propped your window ajar
I entered your home without being noticed, almost like a burglar.
First time I saw them put a trap in the car
There is a sense of surprise or realization that people would install a trap in a car for nefarious purposes.
Eyes wide
Someone is trying to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.
Felt like the internet
The feeling of being overwhelmed or inundated with information, like scrolling through an endless web page.
Snipers in the minaret
A possible reference to the snipers in mosques during the Iraq War, indicating there are hidden threats or danger.
Little tiny spoon for the mignonette
A small spoon for a fancy sauce or garnish, possibly highlighting class differences or taste preferences.
The job was to sit there all day and press refresh
Tasked with a mundane and time-consuming job, which involves repeatedly refreshing a computer screen.
Decline politely, proceeded to spread the blame widely
Politely saying no, but then deflecting blame or responsibility onto others.
Rubber gloves
A possible reference to crime scenes or medical procedures, indicating a need for protection and caution.
Crisp lapels
A detail about someone's clothing, possibly indicating a desire to look formal or put-together.
Bloodshot in high society, you know his turds don't smell
Even the elite or wealthy people can have faults or flaws, but they are often insulated from criticism or consequences.
To the desperate souls spells
Spells or magic may be a last resort for those who feel desperate or powerless.
Confident I'd never see him again
Someone is sure or certain they will not cross paths with someone else again.
"And if so what?"
A dismissive or indifferent response to the possibility of seeing someone again.
You get what you pay for in the end
The quality or value of something is often reflected in the amount paid for it, either positively or negatively.
Yeah, she's got her own game goin' on
Someone is independent and has their own goals or agenda, possibly in a relationship or other situation.
What does that mean?
Asking for clarification or explanation of someone's statement or behavior.
You know what it means
A confident or cheeky response to the previous question, indicating the singer thinks the meaning is obvious.
You've got your game goin' on
The other person has their own plans or way of doing things, possibly being unpredictable or unreliable.
I've got my game
The singer also has their own approach or strategy, which may or may not align with the other person's.
What- what's, uh, what's your game?
The other person is unsure or curious about the artist's intentions or plans.
Everybody's got a game
Everyone has their own way of operating or achieving their goals, whether it is explicit or not.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Woods, Kenny Adam Segal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind