Toothy
Billy Woods & Kenny Segal Lyrics
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"Uh, not yet, not yet, my dear. Ho ho ho ho ho."
Halloween on Christmas
Make sure the mask fit
Eyes glitterin' through the eyeholes, exchange gifts
Station chief in Cairo, add a name to the list
That's '86
Mugabe never hesitated, Samora did
That's why Samora dead and Lee Perry alive
Cancer ate Marley leg, ol' Bob won't die
All told, he told no lies
Count to ten when he closed both eyes
Orphan said, "More, please."
Persephone came home to Orpheus with sore knees, flushed cheeks
I get why you don't wanna believe that water get deep
Obama cushed when he speak, so articulate
Leaf stuck in his buck teeth
Stuck, in the bucket seats
Tow truck, pulled me through Manhattan
Waved like a king
Woe to whoever not clappin'
Rap scat in a predictable pattern
The pimp nails like talons
Gratuity include in the final balance
Gallons and gallons out that Niger Delta
But when his name came up e'rybody fell silent
Oh Granny, what big eyes you got
All the better to watch for the cops
Oh Granny, what big ears those is
All the better to hear the pigs
Oh Granny, those are some sharp teeth
All the better when it's time to eat
Still in my seat when the movie end
When the credits roll, big toothy grin
Big ol' bag of candy I snuck in
Might as well run it again
Weed's destroying your limbic system, not a friend, it's not a friend
E'ry knee bends when the engineer cue the stems
Wax nostalgic 'bout future events
A lawful possession of financial instruments
Frowny face
Made haste to vacate the place
The ride smelled like wedding cake
Steeplechase
She pressed gas, I pumped the breaks
Sheepish face
How bad you wanna know, like a box of unmarked VHS tapes (How bad?)
In your Dad's storage space nobody knew about
'Til he passed, they called the payment was late
The rust flaked off when you raised the gate
"Toodle-oo."
"Goodbye Mr. Wolf."
"Toodle-oo."
When you raised the grate
"The wolf stood looking after Red Riding Hood and when she was out of sight, he grinned
A wide grin
Showing all of his long glistening teeth"
The lyrics to Billy Woods's song "Toothy" are full of paradoxes and contradictions, as the rapper explores different themes like power, death, oppression, and nostalgia. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song's eerie atmosphere, as Mr. Wolf, the villain from the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, responds to a question about dessert with a sinister laugh. From here, Woods takes us on a journey that mixes historical references, pop culture allusions, and personal reflections to paint a vivid picture of his worldview.
In the first verse, Woods jumps from Halloween to Christmas, two holidays that have nothing in common but that, when combined, create an unsettling mood. He then raps about a station chief in Cairo who adds a name to a list in 1986, hinting at some covert operation or assassination plot. The image of a bed armor-plated adds a layer of paranoia to the lyrics, suggesting that the singer is always on the run or under attack. The next two lines refer to two African leaders, Mugabe and Samora, who had different approaches to liberation and power. Woods suggests that Mugabe was more ruthless and willing to do whatever it takes to stay in power, while Samora was more principled but paid the ultimate price for it. The reference to Bob Marley's cancer and Lee Perry's longevity is another example of the randomness and unpredictability of life and death.
In the second verse, Woods expands his range of topics even further, touching on drug use, music, crime, and memory. The line "All the better to watch for the cops" recalls the initial exchange between Red Riding Hood and the wolf, but in this context, it suggests that the singer is always on the lookout for danger. The reference to Obama's speaking skills and buck teeth is a witty commentary on the former president's mixed legacy and the way his charisma often overshadowed his policies. The image of a leaf stuck in his teeth is a reminder that even the most powerful figures are still human and subject to flaws. The transition from the rap scat to "Gratuity include in the final balance" is a brilliant example of juxtaposition and wordplay, as Woods shifts from a musical mode to a documentary one. The final lines about the box of unmarked VHS tapes and the rust flaking off the gate is a nod to the power of nostalgia and the way we sometimes cling to the past even when it hurts us.
Overall, "Toothy" is a complex and thought-provoking song that rewards repeated listenings and careful analysis. The lyrics are full of allusions, metaphors, and paradoxes that reflect the rapper's keen observations and his ability to connect seemingly disparate dots.
Line by Line Meaning
Halloween on Christmas
A combination that does not go together, just like the concord of the events in the song
Make sure the mask fit
Be careful to disguise your true self, don't let others know who you really are
Eyes glitterin' through the eyeholes, exchange gifts
Deceivers often get excited during deceit because that's when they receive the most, and they do it to others as well.
Station chief in Cairo, add a name to the list
Listing people off as being 'most wanted' or otherwise on a watch list
That's '86
That's a year that holds some significance, likely related to some historical event
The bed's armor plated, look how it sit
Always be on guard, even in sleep
Mugabe never hesitated, Samora did
Strong leaders are willing to act, while weaker leaders hesitate
That's why Samora dead and Lee Perry alive
Those who hesitate are more likely to become casualties of war and not survive
Cancer ate Marley leg, ol' Bob won't die
Even though Bob Marley faced immense struggles, he was still able to persevere and survive
All told, he told no lies
Bob Marley was an honest person - he told it like it is
Count to ten when he closed both eyes
Take a moment to breathe, relax, and collect your thoughts before reacting or making important decisions
Orphan said, 'More, please.'
People who have gone without often crave more when they do finally receive something
Persephone came home to Orpheus with sore knees, flushed cheeks
Persephone returned to Orpheus after a physically exhausting journey, but was still filled with excitement and emotion
I get why you don't wanna believe that water get deep
Sometimes people refuse to acknowledge the reality of a situation, even when the evidence is right in front of them
Obama cushed when he speak, so articulate
Obama was a skilled orator, and was often praised for the way he spoke
Leaf stuck in his buck teeth
Even people in positions of power or influence can have flaws and imperfections
Stuck, in the bucket seats
Feeling trapped or stuck, unable to move or change your situation
Tow truck, pulled me through Manhattan
A metaphor for being carried along by external forces, feeling powerless to stop or change the direction of one's life
Waved like a king
Acting like royalty or feeling entitled to special treatment
Woe to whoever not clappin'
People who don't express appreciation or acknowledge others' achievements will reap negative consequences
Rap scat in a predictable pattern
Many rappers use the same style or pattern of rhyming, which feels predictable and uninspired
The pimp nails like talons
Pimps use intimidation and fear as tools to control their victims, just like predators in the wild
Gratuity include in the final balance
People in the service industry expect to be tipped, and often add it automatically to the bill
Gallons and gallons out that Niger Delta
Exploitation of natural resources often comes at the expense of local communities and the environment
But when his name came up e'rybody fell silent
When someone who is powerful or influential is mentioned, people often stop talking or are afraid to speak out
Oh Granny, what big eyes you got / All the better to watch for the cops
Being vigilant and aware of your surroundings to avoid getting caught or punished by authorities
Oh Granny, what big ears those is / All the better to hear the pigs
Being aware of what's going on around you, listening for the sounds of danger or authority figures
Oh Granny, those are some sharp teeth / All the better when it's time to eat
Being prepared to be ruthless or violent in order to achieve your goals
Still in my seat when the movie end / When the credits roll, big toothy grin / Big ol' bag of candy I snuck in / Might as well run it again
Sometimes it's better to stick with what you know and enjoy, rather than seeking out something new and potentially problematic
Weed's destroying your limbic system, not a friend, it's not a friend
Drugs can have serious negative impacts on your physical and mental health, and are not always the harmless escape they may seem
E'ry knee bends when the engineer cue the stems
People naturally follow along with social cues and expectations, even if they don't truly believe or agree with them
Wax nostalgic 'bout future events
Looking back fondly on memories or experiences that haven't yet happened, or that may not happen at all
A lawful possession of financial instruments
Investing in the stock market or other financial instruments in a legal and regulated way
Frowny face / Made haste to vacate the place
Feeling unhappy or uncomfortable, and leaving quickly to avoid further unpleasantness
The ride smelled like wedding cake / Steeplechase
A sensory experience that evokes feelings of joy and excitement, like a carnival or fair
She pressed gas, I pumped the breaks / Sheepish face
Feeling embarrassed or foolish when you make a mistake or misjudgment
How bad you wanna know, like a box of unmarked VHS tapes (How bad?) / In your Dad's storage space nobody knew about / 'Til he passed, they called the payment was late / The rust flaked off when you raised the gate
The desire to know something you've been denied, or to uncover secrets that have been kept from you
'Toodle-oo.' / 'Goodbye Mr. Wolf.' / 'Toodle-oo.' / When you raised the grate
Saying goodbye or good riddance to someone or something that's been a burden or annoyance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Billy Woods, Kenny Adam Segal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind