Internationally, Green is best known for his soul work: his most popular was Gnarls Barkley's 2006 worldwide hit "Crazy", which reached number one in various singles charts worldwide, including the UK. In the United States, "Crazy" reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Its parent album St. Elsewhere, was also a hit, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and number four on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. Gnarls Barkley's second album, The Odd Couple (2008), charted at number 12 on the Billboard 200.
In 2010, Green took a break from working with Gnarls Barkley and released the single "Fuck You!" on August 19 as a solo artist. The song was a hit, with the radio-edit version "Forget You" reaching the top spot in the UK and the Netherlands and charting at number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Its parent album, The Lady Killer (2010), saw similar success, peaking within the top five of the UK Albums Chart and debuting within the top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and receiving a Gold certification from the BPI in the UK. His next two single, "It's OK" and "Bright Lights Bigger City" were also hits in Europe.
Kung Fu Fighting
CeeLo Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is Kung Fu Fighting
Your mind becomes fast
As lightning
Although the future
Is a little bit frightening
It's the book of your life
That you're writing
You're a diamond in the rough
A brilliant ball of clay
You could be a work of art
If you just go all the way
Now what would it take to break
I believe that you can bend
Not only do you have to fight
But you have got to win
'Cause everybody
Is Kung Fu Fighting
Your mind becomes fast
As lightning
Although the future
Is a little bit frightening
It's the book of your life
That you're writing
You are a natural
Why is it so hard to see
Maybe it's just because
You keep on looking at me
The journey's a lonely one
So much more than we know
But sometimes you've got to go
Go on and be your own hero
'Cause everybody
Is Kung Fu Fighting
Your mind becomes fast
As lightning
Although the future
Is a little bit frightening
It's the book of your life
That you're writing
You're a diamond in the rough
A brilliant ball of clay
You could be a work of art
If you just go all the way
Now what would it take to break
I believe that you can bend
Not only do you have to fight
But you have got to win
'Cause everybody
Is Kung Fu Fighting
Your mind becomes fast
As lightning
Although the future
Is a little bit frightening
It's the book of your life
That you're writing
The lyrics to CeeLo Green's song "Kung Fu Fighting" encourage listeners to embrace the fighting spirit that lies within all of us. The first verse talks about how everyone is capable of being quick and agile - just like a martial artist. The lines "your mind becomes fast as lightning" highlight the importance of quick-thinking and adaptability as we navigate through life's challenges. The future may be uncertain, but Green urges us to remember that we individually hold the pen of our own life stories. It's up to us to decide the direction and narrative we want to take in our lives.
In the second verse, Green reminds us that we all have the potential to be great – likening us to diamonds in the rough, or unrefined works of art. He encourages us to take risks and go all the way, because it is only through perseverance and determination that we will emerge as victorious. The phrase "what would it take to break?" asks us to have a strong spirit and belief in our abilities to weather any storm. Not only do we have to fight to succeed, but we also have to be willing to push ourselves beyond our limits and emerge victorious.
Overall, the song's message is one of resilience, determination, and the importance of self-belief. It tells us that we have the power to be heroes in our own stories, and that every one of us is capable of achieving greatness if we only fight for it.
Line by Line Meaning
Cause everybody
Everyone is capable of achieving greatness.
Is Kung Fu Fighting
Struggling and striving to succeed in their endeavors.
Your mind becomes fast
Your mind becomes agile and adaptable to changes.
As lightning
As quick as lightning, able to react quickly and efficiently.
Although the future
Even though the upcoming events may be uncertain.
Is a little bit frightening
Can be scary or daunting to approach.
It's the book of your life
You are the author of your life and your choices dictate your future.
That you're writing
You have the power to create the life you want by making positive choices.
You're a diamond in the rough
You have the potential to shine, but you need to work hard to uncover your true worth.
A brilliant ball of clay
You have raw talent, and with some guidance and work, you can shape it into something amazing.
You could be a work of art
You have the potential to be something extraordinary, like a valuable piece of artwork.
If you just go all the way
If you put in the effort and don't give up, you can achieve great things.
Now what would it take to break
What obstacles could hinder your progress?
I believe that you can bend
You are resilient and can overcome difficult situations.
Not only do you have to fight
You need to work hard and persevere to achieve your goals.
But you have got to win
Success requires more than just effort; it requires a winning attitude.
You are a natural
You have innate abilities and talents.
Why is it so hard to see
Sometimes we doubt our ability or overlook our strengths.
Maybe it's just because
Perhaps our perspective or mindset is limiting us.
You keep on looking at me
Maybe we need to stop comparing ourselves to others and recognize our own value.
The journey's a lonely one
The road to success can be isolating and challenging.
So much more than we know
The potential for growth and accomplishment is greater than we realize.
But sometimes you've got to go
Sometimes we need to take risks and step out of our comfort zones to achieve success.
Go on and be your own hero
Take control of your life and path to greatness by being your own champion and working towards your goals.
Contributed by Colton O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.