The Seed
Cody Chestnutt the Roots Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Knocked up nine months ago
And what she's fittin' to have she don't know
She wants neo soul cause hip hop is old
She don't want no rock 'n roll
She want platinum, ice and gold
She want a whole lot of somethin' to fold
If you're an obstacle she'll just drop you cold
Cause one monkey don't stop the show
Little Mary's bad
In these streets she done ran
E'ry since when the heat began
I told the girl look here
Calm down I'm gonna hold your hand
To enable you to keep the plan
Because you're quick to learn
And we can make money to burn
If you allow me the latest game
I don't ask for much but enough to room to spread my wings
And a world fittin' to know my name, just listen to me

I don't ask, for much these days
And I don't bitch and whine if I don't get my way
I only want to fertilize another behind my lover's back
I sit and watch it grow standin' where I'm at
Fertilize another behind my lovers behind my lovers back
And I'm keeping my secrets mine
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary dropped my baby girl tonight I would name her rock 'n roll

Cadillac needs space to roam
Where we headin' for she don't know
We in the city where the pro shake rattle 'n roll
And I'm a god dang rollin' stone
I don't beg I can hold my own
I don't break I can hold a chrome
And it's weighin' a ton and I'm a son of a gun
My code name is the only one
And Black Thought is bad
These streets he done ran ever since when the game began
I never played the fool
Matter of fact I've been keeping it cool
Since money been changin' hands
And I'm left to shine, the legacy I leave behind be the seed that'll keep the flame
I don't ask for much but enough room to spread these wings
And a world fittin' to know my name, now listen to me

I don't beg from a rich man
And I don't scream and kick when his shit don't fall in my hands man
Cause I know how to still
Fertilize another against my lovers will
I lick the opposition cause she don't take no pill
Oh you know the deal you'll be keeping my legend alive
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight I would name her rock 'n roll.

Oh break it down, down for me
I push my seed somewhere deep in her chest
I push it naked cause I've takin' my test
Deliverin' Mary it don't matter the sex
I'm gonna name it rock 'n roll.

I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name her rock 'n roll




I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name it rock 'n roll

Overall Meaning

The Roots and Cody Chestnutt's "The Seed" is a lyrically complex song that tells the story of a man who impregnates a woman and wants to name his child after his favorite genre of music, rock 'n roll. The first verse introduces us to the woman, who is pregnant and wants neo soul music, as she believes hip hop is old. She also wants lots of money and luxury items. The singer sees her as an obstacle and implies that he would just drop her if she gets in his way. However, he acknowledges that she is quick to learn, and they can make money together if she allows him to teach her the latest game.


In the second verse, the singer reveals that he doesn't ask for much and doesn't complain if he doesn't get his way. He wants to have a child with another woman secretly but wants to name the baby rock 'n roll, which is symbolic of rebirth and evolution. The third verse sees the singer on the move, and the woman he impregnated doesn't know where they're headed. He argues that he can hold his own without begging or begging from a rich man, and he rhymes about the legacy he'll leave behind.


Overall, the song explores themes of impregnation, music, and legacy. It speaks to the hopes and aspirations of black men and women in America, who are struggling to build a better life for themselves and their loved ones. The song's catchy tune and lyrics are a testament to the genius and creativity of The Roots and Cody Chestnutt.


Line by Line Meaning

Knocked up nine months ago
She became pregnant nine months ago


And what she's fittin' to have she don't know
She is uncertain about what she will give birth to


She wants neo soul cause hip hop is old
She desires music that is new and fresh, not outdated hip hop


She don't want no rock 'n roll
She does not want traditional rock music


She want platinum, ice and gold
She desires expensive and luxurious items


She want a whole lot of somethin' to fold
She wants a lot of money to save and invest


If you're an obstacle she'll just drop you cold
If someone stands in her way, she will cut them off without hesitation


Cause one monkey don't stop the show
One obstacle won't stop her from achieving her goals


Little Mary's bad
Mary is a strong and independent woman


In these streets she done ran
Mary has faced many challenges in life


E'ry since when the heat began
From the beginning of her struggles


I told the girl look here
I advised her


Calm down I'm gonna hold your hand
I will support and guide her through the obstacles


To enable you to keep the plan
So she can achieve her goals


Because you're quick to learn
Because she is intelligent and adaptable


And we can make money to burn
Together we can earn a lot of money


If you allow me the latest game
If she trusts me to make the right decisions


I don't ask for much but enough to room to spread my wings
I don't need a lot, just some freedom to be creative and successful


And a world fittin' to know my name, just listen to me
I want the world to recognize my talents, so pay attention to me


I don't ask, for much these days
I don't have high demands


And I don't bitch and whine if I don't get my way
I don't complain if things don't go my way


I only want to fertilize another behind my lover's back
I want to impregnate someone without my partner's knowledge


I sit and watch it grow standin' where I'm at
I watch my offspring grow without taking an active role in their life


Fertilize another behind my lovers behind my lovers back
I want to have a child with another person without my partner finding out


And I'm keeping my secrets mine
I'm not going to reveal my cheating or parenting secrets


I push my seed in her bush for life
I impregnate a woman for a lifetime commitment to my offspring


It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
My plan will succeed because I am determined and focused


If Mary dropped my baby girl tonight I would name her rock 'n roll
If Mary gave birth to my daughter, I would name her rock 'n roll


Cadillac needs space to roam
My Cadillac requires room to move freely


Where we headin' for she don't know
She does not know our destination


We in the city where the pro shake rattle 'n roll
We are in a city with professional entertainers


And I'm a god dang rollin' stone
I'm an independent and unstoppable person


I don't beg I can hold my own
I am self-reliant and do not need to ask for help


I don't break I can hold a chrome
I do not falter under pressure and can handle weapons


And it's weighin' a ton and I'm a son of a gun
It's a heavy burden, but I'm determined to succeed


My code name is the only one
I am unique and one-of-a-kind


And Black Thought is bad
The rapper Black Thought is talented and respected


These streets he done ran ever since when the game began
He has been hustling since the beginning of his career


I never played the fool
I am not foolish or easily deceived


Matter of fact I've been keeping it cool
In fact, I have been handling things calmly


Since money been changin' hands
Since the business of music became more profitable


And I'm left to shine, the legacy I leave behind be the seed that'll keep the flame
My legacy will be my offspring who will carry on my name and talent


I don't beg from a rich man
I do not rely on charity from wealthy people


And I don't scream and kick when his shit don't fall in my hands man
I do not complain when I do not receive help from rich people


Cause I know how to still
Because I know how to stay calm and focused


Fertilize another against my lovers will
I want to have a child with someone even if my partner does not want to


I lick the opposition cause she don't take no pill
I refuse to use protection because my partner does not want to take birth control


Oh you know the deal you'll be keeping my legend alive
You understand my plan to keep my legacy alive through my offspring


I push my seed somewhere deep in her chest
I impregnate a woman with the intention of having a long-term impact on my offspring


I push it naked cause I've takin' my test
I impregnate a woman without a condom because I have been tested for STDs


Deliverin' Mary it don't matter the sex
The gender of the child does not matter as long as Mary delivers it


I'm gonna name it rock 'n roll
I will name my child rock 'n roll


I would name her rock 'n roll
If my child is a girl, I will name her rock 'n roll


I would name it rock 'n roll
If my child is a boy, I will name him rock 'n roll




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRADLEY JAMES NOWELL, ERIC JOHN WILSON, FLOYD I. GAUGH IV

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@section8managementteam793

I've been listening to this song for 14 years and never knew it had a video until today..... What a pleasant surprise. 2024

@courtneyst.julian8192

This song is an absolute masterpiece. Every aspect from the lyrics, the vocals, to the rhythm is absolute perfection. I can't believe YouTube would tamper with this excellence by censoring this song!

@a.taylor8294

Yeah, those of us that got to jam to it during original release know this wasn't getting censored back then, LOL!

@williamdumas9715

As a lifetime rock fan... This song is in my top 10 songs of all time... Perfect blend of rock, soul, hip hop and more

@elsasegid963

Love love love this song

@ffokcuf761

No Rock in this track.

@jaysgotjokesofficial

@@ffokcuf761 you trying to be goofy.

@AllOuttaBubblegum123

Supporting the mighty chili peppers

@palapadadouwa807

Terrible.
Basta 🖤🤍😎😎😎🔥

5 More Replies...

@lisak19614

I'm 61 years old and this song still rocks me. One of my favorites....❤❤❤❤

More Comments

More Versions