(From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Voyage_(Coolio_song))
Fantastic Voyage
Coolio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, yeah
Oh, yeah, that's right
Yeah
Yeah, that's the ticket
Come on, y'all, let's take a ride
Don't you say shit, just get inside
'Cause you can't have the hop if you don't have the hip
Grab your gat with the extra clip and
Close your eyes and hit the switch
We're going to a place where everybody kick it
Kick it, kick it, yeah, that's the ticket
Ain't no bloodin', ain't no crippin'
Ain't no punk-ass niggas set trippin'
Everybody got a stack and it ain't no crack
And it really don't matter if you're white or black, I
Want to take you there like the Staple Singers
Put something in the tank and I know that I can bring ya
If you can't take the heat, get your ass out the kitchen
We on a mission
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, slippity-slide
I'm hittin' switches on the block in a '65
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, hoo ride
Ain't no valley low enough or mountain high
I'm tryin' to find a place where I can live my life and
Maybe eat some steak with my beans and rice
A place where my kids can play outside
Without livin' in fear of a drive-by
And even if I get away from them drive-by killers
I still got to worry about those snitch-ass niggas
I keep on searchin' and I keep on lookin'
But niggas are the same from Watts to Brooklyn
I try to keep my faith in my people
But sometimes my people be acting like they evil
You don't understand about runnin' with a gang
'Cause you don't gang bang, and
You don't have to stand on the corner and slang
'Cause you got your own thang
You can't help me if you can't help yourself
You better make a left
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, slippity-slide
I do what I do just to survive
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, hoo ride
That's why I pack my .45
Life is a bitch and then you die
Still tryin' to get a peace of that apple pie
Every game ain't the same 'cause the game still remains
Don't it seem kinda strange? Ain't a damn thing change
If you don't work, then you don't eat
And only down-ass niggas can ride with me
Hop-hop-hop the five quickly down the block
Stay sucka-free and keep the busters off your jock
You gotta have heart, son, if you wanna go
Watch this sweet chariot swing low
Ain't nobody cryin', ain't nobody dyin'
Ain't nobody worryin', everybody's tryin'
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
If you want to have something, you better stop frontin'
What you gonna do when the five roll by
You better be ready, so you can ride
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, slippity-slide
When you're livin' in the city, it's do or die
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, hoo ride
You better be ready when the five roll by
Just roll along (that's what you do)
Just roll along (that's right)
Just roll along (that's what you do)
Just roll along (that's right)
To the hood of funk
To the hood of funk
To the hood of funk
To the hood of funk
To the hood of funk
To the hood of funk
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, slippity-slide
When you're livin' in the city, it's do or die
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Slide, slide, hoo ride
You better be ready when the five roll by
"Fantastic Voyage" by Coolio is a song that encourages listeners to take a ride with him and explore a world that's free of violence, racism, and danger. The song is an ode to all those who have suffered inequality and injustice, especially people of color. The song opens with Coolio telling his listeners to get inside, and he takes them on a ride where they can enjoy themselves without the fear of violence or repression. He describes a place where there's no gang violence, drug abuse, or racial tension, and where people of all colors can come together and enjoy life, regardless of their background.
The song is a commentary on the social and economic conditions of urban America, and how it's difficult for people to break away from the cycle of violence and poverty. Coolio's message is that it's important for people to come together, to be united to achieve a better future. It's a call for action to work together towards a world free of discrimination, injustice, and violence. Because of its powerful message, "Fantastic Voyage" became an anthem of sorts for the hip hop generation and marked Coolio as one of the most socially conscious rappers of his era.
Line by Line Meaning
Aight
Getting ready to begin
Uh, yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
Oh, yeah, that's right
Confirming or validating a previous statement or idea
Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
Yeah, that's the ticket
Expressing enthusiasm or approval
Come on, y'all, let's take a ride
Inviting the listener to go on a journey
Don't you say shit, just get inside
Ordering the listener to follow without question
It's time to take your ass on another kind of trip
Preparing the listener for a unique experience
'Cause you can't have the hop if you don't have the hip
Explaining the connection between two concepts
Grab your gat with the extra clip and
Instructing the listener to get their firearm
Close your eyes and hit the switch
Preparing for departure
We're going to a place where everybody kick it
Describing a place where everyone has a good time
Kick it, kick it, yeah, that's the ticket
Emphasizing how enjoyable it is
Ain't no bloodin', ain't no crippin'
Describing a peaceful environment
Ain't no punk-ass niggas set trippin'
Asserting that no one starts trouble
Everybody got a stack and it ain't no crack
Saying everyone has money and that drugs aren't an issue
And it really don't matter if you're white or black, I
Stating that race isn't a factor in this environment
Want to take you there like the Staple Singers
Asking the listener to come with them to a desired destination
Put something in the tank and I know that I can bring ya
Suggesting that the journey is possible with enough resources
If you can't take the heat, get your ass out the kitchen
Warning the listener to leave if they can't handle the situation
We on a mission
Announcing the purpose of the journey
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Inviting the listener to join a thrilling journey
Slide, slide, slippity-slide
Describing the smooth motion of the ride
I'm hittin' switches on the block in a '65
Describing the specific vehicle they are using
Ain't no valley low enough or mountain high
Saying that there are no obstacles too big to overcome
I'm tryin' to find a place where I can live my life and
Describing the desire for a better living situation
Maybe eat some steak with my beans and rice
Describing a simple but satisfying meal
A place where my kids can play outside
Describing a safe environment for children
Without livin' in fear of a drive-by
Describing the absence of gang violence
And even if I get away from them drive-by killers
Despite the desire for safety, the danger still exists
I still got to worry about those snitch-ass niggas
Describing the threat of betrayal from within the community
I keep on searchin' and I keep on lookin'
Persisting in the search for a better life
But niggas are the same from Watts to Brooklyn
Noticing similarities between different communities or cultures
I try to keep my faith in my people
Holding onto the belief that the community can improve
But sometimes my people be acting like they evil
Acknowledging the presence of negative behavior within the community
You don't understand about runnin' with a gang
Explaining the lifestyle of gang members
'Cause you don't gang bang, and
Assuming the listener is not involved in gang activity
You don't have to stand on the corner and slang
Explaining the practice of selling drugs on the street
'Cause you got your own thang
Suggesting that the listener has something unique to offer
You can't help me if you can't help yourself
Suggesting that those who are not in a good place cannot offer help to others
You better make a left
Giving directions
Slide, slide, hoo ride
Describing the enjoyable motion of the ride
That's why I pack my .45
Carrying a firearm for protection
Life is a bitch and then you die
Reflecting on the harsh reality of life
Still tryin' to get a peace of that apple pie
Striving for the American Dream
Every game ain't the same 'cause the game still remains
Acknowledging that life is unpredictable
Don't it seem kinda strange? Ain't a damn thing change
Noticing that despite changes in society, some things remain the same
If you don't work, then you don't eat
Highlighting the importance of hard work and earning a living
And only down-ass niggas can ride with me
Choosing to associate with trustworthy and loyal individuals
Hop-hop-hop the five quickly down the block
Driving quickly to avoid danger
Stay sucka-free and keep the busters off your jock
Avoiding negative people and influence
You gotta have heart, son, if you wanna go
Encouraging perseverance and determination
Watch this sweet chariot swing low
Referencing the gospel song 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and signaling the end of the journey
Ain't nobody cryin', ain't nobody dyin'
Celebrating the safe completion of the journey
Ain't nobody worryin', everybody's tryin'
Noticing a positive attitude in the community
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
Stating that you cannot get something from nothing
If you want to have something, you better stop frontin'
If you want to be successful, you need to stop pretending to be something you're not
What you gonna do when the five roll by
Asking how the listener will react in a difficult situation
You better be ready, so you can ride
Encouraging preparedness in challenging situations
Just roll along (that's what you do)
Keep moving forward
To the hood of funk
Going to a place where funk music is popular
Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage
Inviting the listener to join a thrilling journey
Slide, slide, hoo ride
Describing the enjoyable motion of the ride
When you're livin' in the city, it's do or die
Survival is essential in an urban environment
You better be ready when the five roll by
Encouraging preparedness in challenging situations
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Fred Alexander, Fred Lewis, Mark Wood Jr., Marvin Craig, Norman Beavers, Otis Stokes, Stephen Shockley, Thomas Shelby, Tiemeyer Mccain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@youngtokes1449
R.I.P Coolio. You’re truly a great artist! you didn’t get enough credit man!! ❤
@Shnortz860
Smoking all day long bumping his entire category. Rest easy og
@edwardmason119
Puffing one along side you. Here's to one of the pillars of 90s rap.
@unemployicus
RIP Artis, aka, Coolio. Hope you're in paradise now.
@jessef7690
Amen R.I.P Coolio
@statusboom-x6348
I second this motion.
@nicole..948
We don’t search for old songs…
we search for old memories.
R. I. P. Coolio 🙏🏽
@chrisblack5585
Decades later people will realize the depth
of this line…..
@KareBear710
Right !!! We had some Amazing legends ! Tupac . Biggie . DMX . Coolio !
@daughteroftheking4526
Oh my isn’t that the truth.