In addition to the release of Trial & Error, 2003 and 2004 were busy and evolutionary years for Classified. With the continuous support of VideoFACT, he was able to release two additional music videos for the singles "Just the Way It Is" and "Unexpected". Classified also continued to master his production skills and joined forces with some of Canada's most prominent emcees, including Choclair and Maestro Fresh Wes. He also teamed up with Shady Records recording artist, Royce Da 5'9" and opened for Ludacris, Snoop dogg, Busta Rhymes, The Game, Nelly, MC Grizzly, Captain Capota, Nas, The Black Eyed Peas and Black Moon.
Classified's tenth album, Boy-Cott-In the Industry, was a high point in his career. The album includes guest appearances by Choclair, Royce Da 5'9", Jay Bizzy, J-Bru, A-Wall, Spesh K, and Mic Boyd (Classified's younger brother and fellow MC). He has said he enjoys doing music with other people: "It keeps things exciting and there are tons of talented people in Halifax so you make connections 'cause it's not a huge scene." The album reached #46 on SoundScan's Canadian R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. The singles "The Maritimes", "5th Element", "No Mistakes", and "Find Out", which is the lead single of his 11th studio album, Hitch Hikin' Music, were all Top 20 hits on MuchMusic and MTV Canada that year. The music video for "No Mistakes" won him an MMVA for MuchVibe Best Rap Video. Boy-Cott-In the Industry also earned Classified a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year in 2006.
Riding high off of Boy-Cott-In the Industry, Classified released his eleventh album Hitch Hikin' Music. Produced like previous albums by Classified himself, it is arguably some of Classified's finest work. On "Fall From Paradise", Classified reflects on the difficulty of staying fresh and on top. In the hip-hop meets classic rock song "All About U", featuring singer Chad Hatcher, Classified shows the extent of his growth from his early releases. In "Hip Hop Star", he eschews the current bling-bling culture of popular hip hop to remind people that life is not about trying to impress others. The rest of the album includes guest appearances by Jay Bizzy, Mic Boyd, Jordan Croucher, Preacher K, White Mic and more. Four singles have been released off the album: "Find Out" (which won the 2007 East Coast Music Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Single), "Feelin' Fine Remix", "All About U", and "Hard to Be Hip Hop". Hitch Hikin' Music also received a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year in 2007.
Classified enlisted the help of fellow Nova Scotia native Joel Roy to beatbox during some of his songs. The actual singles that Roy beatboxed for are unknown but it is believed that he can be heard in the single "The Maritimes".
In early 2009, the hit single "Anybody Listening" brought Classified to mainstream success as it peaked at #52 on the Canadian Hot 100 and the music video received heavy rotation on MuchMusic. Classified's thirteenth studio album, Self Explanatory received highly positive reviews from the critics and debuted on the Canadian Albums Chart at #25 making it Classified's first album on that chart. At the 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards on May 21, 2009, Classified won the MuchVibe "Best Hip-Hop Video of the Year" award for "Anybody Listening" directed by Harv Glazer and produced by Robert Wilson of TwoThreeFiveFilms. Off Self Explanatory, Classified would enjoy more mainstream success in early 2010 with another hit single, "Oh...Canada" peaking at #14 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified platinum in digital downloads by the CRIA. Also in early 2010, Classified received three Juno Award nominations, which was for Rap Recording of the Year, Single of the Year, and Video of the Year. In early 2011, "Oh...Canada" received a Juno nomination for "Single of the Year".
On March 22, 2011, Classified released his fourteenth album, though it was only his second major studio album, Handshakes and Middle Fingers. The first single off the album, "That Ain't Classy" reached #45 on the Canadian Hot 100. The album debuted at #7 on the Canadian Albums Chart, making it his highest charting album to date.
Pick Your Poison
Classified Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With nothing on you now
Love is just another word for getting old
With nothing on you now
Yeah, chasing the dragon 'til I get it, I know it well
We go day in, day out living, it's like a show and tell
Adrenaline pumping, accelerating through these late nights
Red lipstick, broken wine glass
Drink away the pain and black out, time lapse
Do it all again, get your likes up
Let 'em know you well known
A prisoner to our cell phones
That's why we call 'em cell phones, it's funny ain't it?
Obsessed with success, flying high from sugar cane
Fast food burger chain
Can't break the routine, leg day
Filling up on protein and poutine
They say get it in by all means
By all means we all fiends, pick your crutch
Living in this big world on small screens, sip your cup
And play your odds
Put your dollar in the slot machine
Scrub it 'til the pot is clean
Pick your poison, what's your addiction, huh?
Time is just another word (yeah) for getting old
With nothing on you now
Love is just another word (uh) for getting old
With nothing on you now
I'm addicted to the drama, addicted to the fame
I'm addicted to the process, addicted to the games
(Nothing on you now)
I'm addicted to the drugs, addicted to the love
They say pick your poison, huh, pick your poison
(Nothing on you now)
Uh, you'll never catch a dragon, that's what they say
Shopping mall surfing spending everything on payday
We crave what we can't have, puffing up the lips
Try to customize your tits, put some "uh" inside them hips
This is drama-filled nights, lost in old habits
More than just dope addicts
Don't tell me it don't happen, no
My grandmother never missed her soap opera
Never saw her drinking, but could always bum a smoke off her
What used to feel like a reward now's feeling like the norm
Got me feeling self-absorbed
We just looking for that payoff, man
Feel like we're missing something if we take a single day off, man
So every night we on one, binge watching 'til it's all spun
Can't leave the office 'til the job's done
They say addiction is a sickness that keeps us dependent
Or maybe it's just human nature and we're all affected
I guess it's
Time is just another word for getting old (yeah)
With nothing on you now (I guess it's)
Love is just another word for getting old
With nothing on you now
I'm addicted to the drama, addicted to the fame
I'm addicted to the process, addicted to the games
(Nothing on you now)
I'm addicted to the drugs, addicted to the love
They say pick your poison, huh, pick your poison
(Nothing on you now)
Someday, I
Someday, I won't
Someday, I
Someday, I won't
In Classified's song "Pick Your Poison," the lyrics delve into the complex themes of addiction, societal pressures, and the quest for fulfillment in a world where distractions and temptations are rampant. The opening lines suggest a sense of resignation towards the passage of time and the process of aging, hinting at the idea that as one grows older, there may be a feeling of emptiness or lack of fulfillment.
The lyrics then shift towards a vivid portrayal of a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled lifestyle, where individuals are constantly seeking highs and thrills to escape the monotony of everyday life. References to drug use, alcohol consumption, and an obsession with social media and fame paint a picture of a society caught in a cycle of chasing fleeting pleasures and validation.
The chorus, with its repetition of being addicted to various aspects of life, emphasizes the idea of being consumed by different vices and struggles. The concept of 'picking your poison' highlights the choices individuals make that may have detrimental consequences, whether it be indulging in destructive behaviors or chasing unattainable desires.
As the song progresses, there is a reflection on the consequences of addiction and the toll it takes on individuals, hinting at the idea of the vicious cycle of longing for more while feeling empty inside. The lyrics touch upon the societal norms and pressures that push people towards seeking instant gratification and losing sight of what truly matters in the pursuit of fleeting pleasures.
Overall, "Pick Your Poison" delves deep into the complexities of human nature, exploring the addictive tendencies that drive individuals to seek fulfillment in external sources, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of yearning for more. The lyrics serve as a poignant commentary on the pitfalls of modern society and the struggles that individuals face in navigating a world filled with distractions and temptations, urging listeners to reflect on their own choices and priorities in the journey towards self-discovery and inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Time is just another word for getting old
Time passing is just a reminder that we are aging
With nothing on you now
Without any accomplishments or progress to show for it
Love is just another word for getting old
Love also reminds us of the passing of time and aging
Yeah, chasing the dragon 'til I get it, I know it well
Pursuing our desires even though we know the outcome all too well
We go day in, day out living, it's like a show and tell
Living each day feels like a performance for others to see
Adrenaline pumping, accelerating through these late nights
Thriving on the excitement and energy of late nights
Addicted to the rush that keeps us up in this insane life
Dependent on the excitement that comes with living a hectic lifestyle
Red lipstick, broken wine glass
Symbolic of seeking pleasure in superficial things and temporary relief
Drink away the pain and black out, time lapse
Using alcohol as a coping mechanism to escape reality temporarily
Do it all again, get your likes up
Repeating harmful patterns for validation and recognition
Let 'em know you well known
Seeking approval by showcasing popularity and status
A prisoner to our cell phones
Being controlled and consumed by our digital devices
That's why we call 'em cell phones, it's funny ain't it?
Reflecting on the irony of being imprisoned by our phones
Obsessed with success, flying high from sugar cane
Driven by the pursuit of success and temporary highs
Fast food burger chain
Indulging in instant gratification and convenience
Can't break the routine, leg day
Being stuck in repetitive habits and cycles
Filling up on protein and poutine
Consuming things that provide temporary satisfaction but lack true nourishment
They say get it in by all means
Doing whatever it takes to achieve our desires
By all means we all fiends, pick your crutch
We are all addicts in our own ways, choose your coping mechanism
Living in this big world on small screens, sip your cup
Navigating life through technology and distractions, find your escape
And play your odds
Take risks and chances in search of fulfillment
Put your dollar in the slot machine
Taking chances with uncertain outcomes, hoping for a win
Scrub it 'til the pot is clean
Working hard until you achieve your desired outcome
Pick your poison, what's your addiction, huh?
Choose your vice or dependency, what are you hooked on?
I'm addicted to the drama, addicted to the fame
Hooked on the excitement and attention that comes with drama and recognition
I'm addicted to the process, addicted to the games
Dependent on the journey and challenges that life presents
I'm addicted to the drugs, addicted to the love
Chained to substances and affection as sources of escape and pleasure
They say pick your poison, huh, pick your poison
It's up to you to choose what ultimately harms or fulfills you
Someday, I
At some point in the future, I
Someday, I won't
At some point, I will no longer
Someday, I
Eventually, I will
Someday, I won't
Eventually, I will not
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Luke Boyd, Owen Lee, Paul Aarntzen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Green Team BC
Time is just another word for getting old
With nothing on you now
Love is just another word for getting old
With nothing on you now
Yeah, chasing the dragon 'til I get it, I know it well
We go day in, day out living, it's like a show and tell
Adrenaline pumping, accelerating through these late nights
Addicted to the rush that keeps us up in this insane life
Red lipstick, broken wine glass
Drink away the pain and black out, time lapse
Do it all again, get your likes up
Let 'em know you well known
A prisoner to our cell phones
That's why we call 'em cell phones, it's funny ain't it?
Obsessed with success, flying high from sugar cane
Fast food burger chain
Can't break the routine, leg day
Filling up on protein and poutine
They say get it in by all means
By all means we all fiends, pick your crutch
Living in this big world on small screens, sip your cup
And play your odds
Put your dollar in the slot machine
Scrub it 'til the pot is clean
Pick your poison, what's your addiction, huh?
Time is just another word (Yeah) for getting old
With nothing on you now
Love is just another word (Uh) for getting old
With nothing on you now
I'm addicted to the drama, addicted to the fame
I'm addicted to the process, addicted to the games
(Nothing on you now)
I'm addicted to the drugs, addicted to the love
They say pick your poison, huh, pick your poison
(Nothing on you now)
Uh, you'll never catch a dragon, that's what they say
Shopping mall surfing spending everything on payday
We crave what we can't have, puffing up the lips
Try to customize your tits, put some uh inside them hips
This is drama-filled nights, lost in old habits
More than just dope addicts
Don't tell me it don't happen, no
My grandmother never missed her soap opera
Never saw her drinking, but could always bum a smoke off her
What used to feel like a reward now's feeling like the norm
Got me feeling self-absorbed
We just looking for that payoff, man
Feel like we're missing something if we take a single day off, man
So every night we on one, binge watching 'til it's all spun
Can't leave the office 'til the job's done
They say addiction is a sickness that keeps us dependent
Or maybe it's just human nature and we're all affected
I guess it's
Time is just another word for getting old (Yeah)
With nothing on you now (I guess it's)
Love is just another word for getting old
With nothing on you now
I'm addicted to the drama, addicted to the fame
I'm addicted to the process, addicted to the games
(Nothing on you now)
I'm addicted to the drugs, addicted to the love
They say pick your poison, huh, pick your poison
(Nothing on you now)
Michael
Its comforting knowing someone's still out there writing music that hits home
Lucas Boyd
💯❤️
Toby van Berkum
I love how your style hasn't really changed over the years and you stay real, people like you are a rare sight nowadays. Keep on being you, I'm loving the song and I can't wait to see what else you'll bring!
BIG RS
@classifiedmusic Im from Kansas. BIG FAN. Thanks for the music.
Simon bennie
Shit yeah keep it bruss from down under aussie.....
HLynn
couldn't of worded it better!
classifiedmusic
appreciate that more then you know
TrueNorthCanuck
I've been listening to your music for 14 years bro! Nothing but respect for everything you've done!👍
Brandon Degruchy
@Jordan Lowe ElevaTours Canada fuck I wish I could’ve know about it
Jordan Lowe ElevaTours Canada
@Brandon Degruchy yeah he performed with a few other artists that night at the Pictou County Decoste Center back at the beginning of this year. I think it was late or mid January maybe early February