High Street
Blood Orange feat. Skepta Lyrics
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Thinkin' 'bout, should I try to fake a fall
You seem to think that you're all alone
And nothing ever could change it all
Think about the words that you said
Yeah, silence on my estate
Cassette player chewed up my cassette tape
'Cause I was on the Mega Drive more time
If you're feeling me put your Pinot Grigio high
This ones for my G's in the North side
(Racing down Ilford Lane going home) all my G's on the East side
This one for my G's in the West side
(Thinkin' 'bout, should I try to fake a fall) my G's on the South side
The late king Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk on the telly
And I was like, "Who's bad?"
Sitting there smoking, sipping MD 20/20
Thinking I was the man
Mum's upset because I haven't given her a penny
But I just got a 20 bag
"Mum don't stress, you know I told you already
I'ma do it for you and dad"
So I was out on the grind
On the 279, tryna to show my songs to the world
Inspired by the streets
Fell in love with the beats
I never had time for a girl
I never really cared about a haircut
I was in the club doing the 2-step
Wishing it was me on the decks
Wanted to do it for the love
It took some perseverance and discipline
Couldn't wait to get the whole world listening
I remember when I first went radio
I couldn't believe it was in the kitchen
Your mixing and reality kicks in
Smoking to calm my nerves and settle me down
It feels like I'm in a crystal maze
Somebody give Richard crystal and get me out
In 1 mile I've seen 2 fights
Blue tape, blue lights
Single mom struggling with the push chair
She had a bad mouth but she had good hair
Stole a phone in the shop getting looked at
Barbershop, hairline's getting pushed back
Guys looking at me like they wanna fight me
Just another day on the High Street
Yeah, and now I'm back on the estate
My CD keeps skipping when I press play
Four memory cards full of music
'Cause I was on the PlayStation more time
If you're feeling me put your Pinot Grigio high
This ones for my G's in the North side
(Racing down Ilford Lane going home) all my G's on the East side
This one for my G's in the West side
(Thinkin' 'bout, should I try to fake a fall) my G's on the South side
In "10. High Street", Blood Orange reminisces about his younger days growing up in Ilford, a suburban area of London. The song starts with an image of him racing down Ilford Lane on his way home, contemplating whether or not he should fake a fall. This points to a sense of loneliness and isolation, which he contrasts with the idea of community and togetherness, despite geographical differences. The lyrics suggest that nothing can really change the feelings of loneliness, yet at the same time, he acknowledges the strength of his community as he shouts out his G's (gangsters) in all four directions of the city.
As the song progresses, Blood Orange goes back in time to when he was smoking and sipping on MD 20/20, telling his mom he'll do it all for her and dad. He reflects on his love for music, how it inspired him to write and perform, and how he had to overcome a number of obstacles along the way. His experiences on the high street included witnessing crime, poverty, and his own struggles. Yet he persevered and kept at it despite the difficulties, always representing his community and the people that shaped him.
Overall, "10. High Street" is a highly personal song where the lyrics paint a vivid picture of Blood Orange's formative years in Ilford, and how his experiences helped shape him into the artist he is today.
Line by Line Meaning
Racing down Ilford Lane going home
Traveling quickly down the street to return to my residence
Thinkin' 'bout, should I try to fake a fall
Consideration of feigning injury for some reason
You seem to think that you're all alone
Suggestion that the singer believes the listener feels isolated
And nothing ever could change it all
Statement implying that the situation is unlikely to improve
Think about the words that you said
Request to contemplate previous statements made
Yeah, silence on my estate
Description of lack of noise in the singer's neighborhood
Cassette player chewed up my cassette tape
Reference to a damaged music player and recording
Blisters from the control pad
Indication of physical discomfort caused by repeatedly using a game controller
'Cause I was on the Mega Drive more time
Explanation of reason for aforementioned physical pain
If you're feeling me put your Pinot Grigio high
Encouragement for listeners to raise a specific type of wine if they relate to the artist
This ones for my G's in the North side (Racing down Ilford Lane going home) all my G's on the East side This one for my G's in the West side (Thinkin' 'bout, should I try to fake a fall) my G's on the South side
Dedication of the song to friends on four different parts of town
The late king Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk on the telly
Description of watching television featuring the deceased pop star's iconic dance
And I was like, "Who's bad?"
Quoting a famous catchphrase of Michael Jackson while watching TV
Sitting there smoking, sipping MD 20/20
Details of the singer's activity and beverage of choice
Thinking I was the man
Confidence or arrogance felt by the singer at the time
Mum's upset because I haven't given her a penny
Mention of the artist's mother's disappointment with the artist's financial support
But I just got a 20 bag
Explanation of an illegal drug purchase
"Mum don't stress, you know I told you already I'ma do it for you and dad"
Assurance to the singer's mother that the singer intends to fulfill a personal goal
So I was out on the grind On the 279, tryna to show my songs to the world Inspired by the streets Fell in love with the beats
Account of how the singer pursued a music career while being motivated by life surrounding them
I never had time for a girl
Admission of not prioritizing romantic relationships while focusing on music
I never really cared about a haircut
Explanation of the artist's low concern for their physical appearance
I was in the club doing the 2-step Wishing it was me on the decks Wanted to do it for the love
Memory of enjoying clubbing while wishing for a chance to DJ and expressing a passion for music
It took some perseverance and discipline Couldn't wait to get the whole world listening
Acknowledgment that achieving success required dedication and excitment about future audiences
I remember when I first went radio I couldn't believe it was in the kitchen Your mixing and reality kicks in
Recollection of feeling a sense of disbelief at playing music on the radio and realization of the moment's significance
Smoking to calm my nerves and settle me down
Explanation of attempting to decrease anxiety and nervousness by smoking
It feels like I'm in a crystal maze Somebody give Richard crystal and get me out
Comparison to being part of a difficult challenge or game, and a request to end that feeling
In 1 mile I've seen 2 fights Blue tape, blue lights Single mom struggling with the push chair She had a bad mouth but she had good hair
Observations of seeing multiple physical altercations and encountering a woman who was cursing while taking care of her child
Stole a phone in the shop getting looked at Barbershop, hairline's getting pushed back Guys looking at me like they wanna fight me Just another day on the High Street
Report of witnessing phone theft, then the artist getting a haircut and potentially causing conflict - all typical occurrences on a busy urban street
Yeah, and now I'm back on the estate
Description of the artist's return to their residential community
My CD keeps skipping when I press play Four memory cards full of music 'Cause I was on the PlayStation more time
Explanation of some problems with playing music, and the cause behind a lot of the singer's time being unavailable
If you're feeling me put your Pinot Grigio high
Request for a gesture from listeners who relate to the singer
This ones for my G's in the North side (Racing down Ilford Lane going home) all my G's on the East side This one for my G's in the West side (Thinkin' 'bout, should I try to fake a fall) my G's on the South side
Reiteration of the song's dedication to different groups of friends in different areas of town
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Dev Hynes, Joseph Olaitan Adenuga
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind