Straighten It Out
C.O.I. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Uh, yeah. Uh-huh
We got Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth
And we're here to tell you to
And that's a fact, baby
Now you're gonna kick some lyrics
Like this, c'mon

Walk the fine, short line, and put the needle to the grind
Representin' one kind, seeing eye for the blind
Witness what I carry on bears a further purpose
From how we do slam a few, then you want to purchase
A dialogue of funk, you love to pop it in your trunk
I win, more disciplined than a Show-lin monk
Pete Rock and C.L., well set to spark it
The powerful target to destroy the black market
But when you say black, listen, I don't know, you lose me
I guess another beggar can afford to be choosey
I come to the maximum, artist on a major label
Any duplication of this one is fatal
On one to five, I gotta hit ya live
Beat your ass with my tape, any race or shape
Cuz if they got mine, they got yours too
But together here's what we gotta do

Tell 'em straighten it out
Ah, yeah straighten it out
You know this is the word (say what?) straighten it out
That's right y'all straighten it out (say what?)
You got to straighten it out
Everybody must straighten it out (say what?)
Straighten it out yeah
Straighten it out it's like that (say what?)

The funk legacy I pass on, clearancy for high rates
Every time we sample all the past time greats
Stick it in the SP-1200 beat, I make a loop
Lovely, where the Troop in a Lexus coupe
Just a little bit, set to make a whole lot happen
The musical inside my rappin'
Written by the C.L., produced by the P.R
And add in any credit that you heard thus far
I start from scratch, cuz the bass line's critical
Better than the original who first made it
But now you want to sue me, but fans never boo me
Believe I know the times, we been broke, too, G
Here's another sample clear, seeya, get the hell outta here
Like a bootleg, you're over for the year
You'll only get the credit where the credit is due
So, listen, what I shout out is true

Yeah, true straighten it out
You gots to tell 'em to straighten it out
(Say what?) straighten it out
You got to tell 'em to straighten it out
(Say what?) straighten it out
That's right straighten it out
C'mon (say what?) straighten it out
That's right straighten it out
Straighten it out (say what?)

Like the strands of lamb's wool, I'm thinkin' that's said
Here to go to the head and count the locks on a dred
I and I'd 'mit to verify, goin' to multiply
A theory many thought a conspiracy
Here to let you know that it applies to all of us
You're no exceptions to the rule and that's a plus
Cause who Jah bless, let no one curse
Straighten out what I be about, reckon above the clout
And let the management work for me
Because I don't need the unnecessary hostility
A proper marketing plan so we can gobble up the dough
Straighten it out, so everybody know
The kids are official with the purpose of a smooth surface
Kickin' the service one time to make 'em nervous
We're finally here and very long overdue
Pete Rock, this one's for the crew

You gotta straighten it out
Everybody must straighten it out (say what?)
You gotta straighten it out
Everybody must straighten it out (say what?)
Straighten it out you got to
Straighten it out c'mon (say what?)
Straighten it out
All black people must straighten it out
Say what?
Straighten it out
Everybody must straighten it out
The YG's, they must straighten it out
The Hilltop, they muststraighten it out
The whole money-earnin' must straighten it out
Everybody must straighten it out




Come on straighten it out
Ah, yeah straighten it out (to close)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Straighten It Out" by C.O.I. featuring Pete Rock and C.L Smooth are a call to action for listeners to straighten out their lives and the world around them. The song speaks to the need for personal responsibility, accountability, and discipline. The rappers encourage listeners to walk the "fine, short line" and to "put the needle to the grind," emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication. They also touch on themes of race and equality, urging listeners to "straighten it out" in terms of both individual behavior and collective action.


Throughout the song, the rappers showcase their skills as lyricists and producers, emphasizing the importance of quality and originality in hip-hop music. They describe the process of creating a new beat, sampling from past artists and adding their own unique spin. The song highlights the power of collaboration and the importance of giving credit where credit is due.


Overall, "Straighten It Out" is a thoughtful and impactful song that calls on listeners to take action in their own lives and in the world around them. It emphasizes the importance of hard work, discipline, and creativity, while also addressing important social issues and promoting equality and justice.


Line by Line Meaning

Walk the fine, short line, and put the needle to the grind
Focus on your craft and work hard


Representin' one kind, seeing eye for the blind
Stand for your people and help those in need


Witness what I carry on bears a further purpose
My work has a greater meaning and impact


From how we do slam a few, then you want to purchase
After hearing my music, you'll want to buy it


A dialogue of funk, you love to pop it in your trunk
My music is funky and enjoyable


I win, more disciplined than a Show-lin monk
I am focused and disciplined


Pete Rock and C.L., well set to spark it
Pete Rock and C.L. are ready to create something great


The powerful target to destroy the black market
We aim to stop illegal activity within the black community


But when you say black, listen, I don't know, you lose me
I'm not interested in discussing race or stereotyping


I guess another beggar can afford to be choosey
Those in poverty can't afford to be picky


I come to the maximum, artist on a major label
I am a successful musician with a major record label


Any duplication of this one is fatal
Copying my work is not allowed


On one to five, I gotta hit ya live
My performance is always energetic and engaging


Beat your ass with my tape, any race or shape
My music is powerful and can move anyone


Cuz if they got mine, they got yours too
If they target my community, they will target yours as well


Tell 'em straighten it out
We need to fix our problems


The funk legacy I pass on, clearancy for high rates
I am leaving behind a legacy and ensuring fairness in payment


Every time we sample all the past time greats
We pay tribute to great musicians of the past


Stick it in the SP-1200 beat, I make a loop
I use a specific instrument to create a beat


Lovely, where the Troop in a Lexus coupe
Our music is smooth and luxurious


Just a little bit, set to make a whole lot happen
Small efforts can lead to great results


Written by the C.L., produced by the P.R
I wrote the lyrics, Pete Rock produced the music


But now you want to sue me, but fans never boo me
People love my music and won't turn against me


Believe I know the times, we been broke, too, G
I understand the struggle of poverty


Here's another sample clear, seeya, get the hell outta here
I'm showcasing my talent and not looking for trouble


Like a bootleg, you're over for the year
If you copy my work, you won't succeed


You'll only get the credit where the credit is due
You will only receive recognition if you deserve it


True straighten it out
We need to truly fix our problems


The musical inside my rappin'
My music is my way of expressing myself


The proper marketing plan so we can gobble up the dough
We need a good marketing strategy to make money


Kickin' the service one time to make 'em nervous
My performance is so good it makes others nervous


The whole money-earnin' must straighten it out
We need to improve our financial situation


The YG's, they must straighten it out
Young people need to make a positive change


The Hilltop, they must straighten it out
Our community as a whole needs to fix our problems


All black people must straighten it out
The black community needs to take action




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COREY BRENT PENN, PETER O. PHILLIPS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@busyworksbeats

Keep the cookie like my grandmom made it 😤🔥

@king_davion505

Broooo 😤😤🔥🔥

@billymac9566

"Momma"

@tjaygoated8558

The song is kinda bad I ain’t gl

@junysluis4843

@@tjaygoated8558 ur you high

@klewertin2124

Feel me????

16 More Replies...

@LPDip

We lost a good rap voice, and good person.. RIP Takeoff 😭😭😭

@ExtendedRelease

Good person lmao.. you were his best friend or sumn?

@roberthenderson7713

​@@ExtendedRelease yeah I love how people act like they know these cats! Lol hate to say it but, if you're getting shot in you're 20's as a millionaire artist.... UR probably not a "good person". At least you are DEFINITELY not doing good things. Still hate to see young people die so... R.I.P. Hope others learn a lesson.

@clarenceg4826

7days 70 prurient 9 incumbent fugitives6 my run 6 to⁵ffit gein Inhofe k c gnash h co Ochocinco 9am 8g gg4 g i1ft zn1​@ hi 8groberthenderson7713

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