Aquamarine
Danger Mouse Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everything's burning down
When I close my eyes again
Enemies all around
I don't understand, my friend, my friend

We go from Lira to Libra
From cold water to fever
To World War 3 from the treaty signed in Geneva
The biology teacher said we used to be amoebas
The neighborhood preacher said we emerged from the ether
We converge from urethra and struck gold, eureka
The morning star Tariq, I was born to be a teacher
Whether scorpion or the frog, the nature of the creature
Is to evolve, though it's the savage beast we truly are
My words should be studied up in Berkeley and Juilliard
All my bars is hard as solid gold bouillon
My name in the Quran, like the kingdom of Suleiman
You done lost your mind trying to call me a mulignan
'Cause in 215 where folks fight depression
And wives pack protection, lives lack direction
I'm a king, I'm dipped in God's black complexion
Survival of the fittest is the natural selection
Now, bend down on the scene like I'm Saladin
The stone courage esteem is aquamarine
You mask how you really feel like it's Halloween
Where they ask how you really feel about my machine
In a class that I'm only in
Alien, horsepower like a Mongolian
Trying to find soul again
But my thoughts corrupt the vials and contaminate the console again
It's a shame, but I cannot complain though I am not the same
My bandwidth is a canvas cut from His frame
When I present ideas, naked and unashamed
His hand written in Sanskrit on the seventh train





Everything's burning down
When I close my eyes again
Enemies all around
I don't understand, my friend, my friend

I've been through hoodies and sneakers to beepers and record features
Hustlin' nicks of reefer to tusslin' with the reaper
Sensory deprivation to ultimate synesthesia
Freein' our brothers' keeper from chief of another creature
Breakin' and entering to the theater, the search and seizure
Is the birth of genius, somewhere between Earth and Venus
At her convenience even non-believers make prayers
Haters and naysayers is buried in cake layers
I take day as a blessing and see the night as a lesson
Twilight is a message for me to write a confession
The matrix, a dominatrix seeking to be served
Ever patiently waiting with the demons we deserve
Better be willing to pay with every dream that you deferred
If the vehicle should swerve, learn to lean into the curve
After workin' up the nerve almost equal in size
I walked around with the iron for any wrinkle in time
I pay the peace of my mind for every nickel and dime
But never less than a five and never slept on the job
A killer crept in your squad, yet never left the garage
When your god was close enough to see the flesh of his eyes
Get to the button and press is what the message advised
What's the threat? Behind the vest is where the testament lies

Everything's burning down
When I close my eyes again
Enemies all around
I don't understand, my friend, my friend

Overall Meaning

In "Aquamarine," Danger Mouse and Black Thought reflect on the chaos and uncertainty of the world. The lyrics paint a picture of an apocalyptic reality with enemies on all sides and everything burning down. Despite the bleak outlook, Black Thought injects hope into the lyrics, highlighting the natural instinct for survival and evolution in all creatures, even in the midst of destruction.


The song traverses different subjects, ranging from evolution to religion, from Greek mythology to street life. Black Thought's verses offer philosophical and introspective musings, showcasing his lyrical dexterity and intelligence. The title of the song, "Aquamarine," serves as a metaphor for the clarity and purity Black Thought seeks amidst all the chaos and noise. The line "The stone courage esteem is aquamarine" suggests that he finds courage and strength in the midst of challenging times.


Throughout the song, Danger Mouse's production provides a haunting and otherworldly soundscape that matches the song’s serious tone. He fuses various genres like blues and rock to create a unique and captivating sound that keeps you engaged throughout.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything's burning down
The world around us is in chaos and turmoil.


When I close my eyes again
Despite the chaos, I cannot escape the reality.


Enemies all around
In this world, there are people who wish us harm and we are surrounded by them.


I don't understand, my friend, my friend
It is difficult to comprehend why the world is the way it is and how we got here.


We go from Lira to Libra
We experience changes and transitions in our lives that are sometimes beyond our control.


From cold water to fever
These changes can be sudden and intense, like going from cold water to a fever.


To World War 3 from the treaty signed in Geneva
Sometimes things escalate out of control, like how a treaty signed in Geneva can lead to World War 3.


The biology teacher said we used to be amoebas
We are taught about our origins from scientific perspectives, like how we used to be amoebas.


The neighborhood preacher said we emerged from the ether
We are also taught about our origins from spiritual perspectives, like how we emerged from the ether.


We converge from urethra and struck gold, eureka
Regardless of our origins, we all come together and have moments of discovery and success.


The morning star Tariq, I was born to be a teacher
I have a purpose in life, to teach and inspire others.


Whether scorpion or the frog, the nature of the creature
All living things have a nature and are capable of evolving.


Is to evolve, though it's the savage beast we truly are
Despite our capacity for change, we are still savage beings at our core.


My words should be studied up in Berkeley and Juilliard
My words are valuable and worth studying at prestigious institutions.


All my bars is hard as solid gold bouillon
My rhymes are valuable and precious like gold bouillon.


My name in the Quran, like the kingdom of Suleiman
My name is revered and respected like the king Suleiman mentioned in the Quran.


You done lost your mind trying to call me a mulignan
You are mistaken and mistaken to call me names.


'Cause in 215 where folks fight depression
Where I come from, people struggle with mental health issues like depression.


And wives pack protection, lives lack direction
People carry weapons to protect themselves but feel lost in life.


I'm a king, I'm dipped in God's black complexion
Despite the challenges, I am confident and feel connected to the divine.


Survival of the fittest is the natural selection
In this world, only the strong and adaptable survive.


Now, bend down on the scene like I'm Saladin
I am powerful and respected like the legendary warrior Saladin.


The stone courage esteem is aquamarine
My courage is as strong and unyielding as the precious stone aquamarine.


You mask how you really feel like it's Halloween
People hide their true feelings and emotions behind masks like on Halloween.


Where they ask how you really feel about my machine
People question and are curious about my success and accomplishments.


In a class that I'm only in
I am distinguished and unique in my achievements.


Alien, horsepower like a Mongolian
I am an outsider and unconventional, but with the strength and drive of a warrior like a Mongolian.


Trying to find soul again
I am searching for a sense of purpose and spirituality.


But my thoughts corrupt the vials and contaminate the console again
My inner turmoil and negative thoughts continue to affect my life.


It's a shame, but I cannot complain though I am not the same
Despite my struggles, I am grateful and accepting of my life and identity.


My bandwidth is a canvas cut from His frame
My capacity for creativity and expression comes from a divine source.


When I present ideas, naked and unashamed
I am open and honest when sharing my ideas with others.


His hand written in Sanskrit on the seventh train
God's presence can be found everywhere, even on the subway in Sanskrit writing.


I've been through hoodies and sneakers to beepers and record features
I have experienced different phases and stages in my life, from clothing fads to musical accomplishments.


Hustlin' nicks of reefer to tusslin' with the reaper
I have engaged in risky and dangerous activities, from selling drugs to fighting death itself.


Sensory deprivation to ultimate synesthesia
I have experienced extremes in sensory perception, from being deprived of senses to heightened experiences like synesthesia.


Freein' our brothers' keeper from chief of another creature
I have worked towards social justice and freedom for marginalized groups.


Breakin' and entering to the theater, the search and seizure
I have had to take risks to make meaningful contributions, breaking barriers and seizing opportunities.


Is the birth of genius, somewhere between Earth and Venus
Great ideas and creations come from inspired moments that come from deep within our beings.


At her convenience even non-believers make prayers
Even those who don't believe in a higher power still hope and wish for positive outcomes.


Haters and naysayers is buried in cake layers
Critics and negative people will eventually fade away and be forgotten.


I take day as a blessing and see the night as a lesson
I am grateful for each day and find meaning and learning opportunities in every experience.


Twilight is a message for me to write a confession
The quiet and reflective period of twilight inspires me to be introspective and truthful about my experiences.


The matrix, a dominatrix seeking to be served
Society is often oppressive and demanding, seeking to control and dominate us.


Ever patiently waiting with the demons we deserve
We must confront and battle our inner demons, patiently and persistently.


Better be willing to pay with every dream that you deferred
We must be willing to make sacrifices and work hard to achieve our dreams.


If the vehicle should swerve, learn to lean into the curve
When things go wrong, we must adapt and learn to navigate the unexpected.


After workin' up the nerve almost equal in size
After overcoming fear and uncertainty, we can become stronger and more capable.


I walked around with the iron for any wrinkle in time
I have been prepared and ready to face any challenge that comes my way.


I pay the peace of my mind for every nickel and dime
I have traded material possessions and comforts for inner peace and mental well-being.


But never less than a five and never slept on the job
I am diligent and hardworking, never taking shortcuts or slacking off.


A killer crept in your squad, yet never left the garage
Even the most unexpected and dangerous threats can be hiding in plain sight.


When your god was close enough to see the flesh of his eyes
God's presence is all around us, in the smallest and most mundane things.


Get to the button and press is what the message advised
In moments of crisis, we must act quickly and decisively to solve the problem.


What's the threat? Behind the vest is where the testament lies
The true test of character and allegiance is what lies behind the armor and protection.


Everything's burning down
The world around us is in chaos and turmoil.


When I close my eyes again
Despite the chaos, I cannot escape the reality.


Enemies all around
In this world, there are people who wish us harm and we are surrounded by them.


I don't understand, my friend, my friend
It is difficult to comprehend why the world is the way it is and how we got here.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Stoller, Brian Burton, Dean Wynton Josiah Cover, Jean-Pierre Alarcen, Michael Kiwanuka, Tarik Trotter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@brevbomb4410

One can only hope he finally gets the ultimate and final recognition.
I’ve been preaching about his superiority to everyone around me for 14 years.

Like you can have a top five, but Black Thought really surpasses that.
He is his own league, a legend in the flesh.
His lyrical skills is absolutely amazing, and studying his progress for the early Roots days to where he’s taken himself now is astonishing.

Black Thought is not only a rapper and a lyricist, but a prophet in its deepest definition.
We would ALL be better off if we learned by his story in life, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Tragedy turned triumph



@jeromel23

Aquamarine Lyrics

[Chorus: Michael Kiwanuka]
Everything's burning down
When I close my eyes again
Enemies all around
I don't understand, my friend, my friend

[Verse 1: Black Thought]
We go from Lira to Libra, from cold water to fever
To World War III from the treaty signed in Geneva
The biology teacher said we used to be amoebas
The neighborhood preacher said we emerged from the ether
We converged from urethra and struck gold, eurеka
The morning star Tariq, I was born to be a teachеr
Whether scorpion or the frog, the nature of the creature
Is to evolve, though it's the savage beast we truly are
My words should be studied up in Berklee and Juilliard
All my bars is hard as solid gold bullion
My name in the Quran like the kingdom of Suleiman
You done lost your mind trying to call me a moulinyan
'Cause in 2-1-5 where folks fight depression
And wives pack protection, lives lack direction
I'm a king, I'm dipped in God's Black complexion
Survival of the fittest is the natural selection
Now, bear down on the scene like I'm Saladin
The stone courage esteem is aquamarine
You mask how you really feel like it's Halloween
Where they ask how you really feel about my machine
In a class that I'm only in
Alien, horsepower like a Mongolian
Tryna find soul again
But my thoughts corrupt the files that contaminate the console again
It's a shame, but I cannot complain, though I am not the same
My bandwidth is a canvas cut from His frame
When I present ideas, naked and unashamed
It's handwritten in Sanskrit on a 7 Train



@jeromel23

Chorus: Michael Kiwanuka]
Everything's burning down
When I close my eyes again
Enemies all around
I don't understand, my friend, my friend

[Verse 2: Black Thought]
I've been through hoodies and sneakers to beepers and record features
Hustlin' nicks of reefer to tusslin' with the reaper
Sensory deprivation to ultimate synesthesia
Freein' our brothers' keeper from teeth of another creature
Breakin' and enterin' to the theater, the search and seizure
Is the worth of genius, somewhere between Earth and Venus
At her convenience, even non-believers make prayers
Haters and naysayers is buried in cake layers
I take day as a blessing and see the night as a lesson
Twilight is a message for me to write a confession
The matrix, a dominatrix seeking to be served
Ever patiently waiting with the demons we deserve
Better be willing to pay with every dream that you deferred
If the vehicle should swerve, learn to lean into the curve
After workin' up the nerve almost equal in size
I walked around with the iron for any wrinkle in time
I pay the piece of my mind for every nickel and dime
But never less than a five and never slept on the job
A killer dumped on your squad, yet never left the garage
When your God was close enough to see the flesh of his eyes
Get to the button and press, it's what the message advised
What's a threat? Behind a mess is where the testament lies

[Chorus: Michael Kiwanuka]
Everything's burning down
When I close my eyes again
Enemies all around
I don't understand, my friend, my friend

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Genius Annotation1 contributor

Aquamarine is a seventh track of the upcoming Danger Mouse & Black Thought album “Cheat Codes”. It was released as a third single on July 13, 2022 premiering with a video clip on YouTube. The song features Michael Kiwanuka on the chorus with Tariq discussing different topics in two verses: from the origin of human being, Black Thought’s own life path and his current position in life and culture (of rap) to Tariq’s role as an artist and his own writing process.

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Cheat Codes (2022)

Danger Mouse & Black Thought

1.

Sometimes (Unreleased)

2.

Cheat Codes (Unreleased)

3.

The Darkest Part (Unreleased)

4.

No Gold Teeth

5.

Because

6.

Belize (Unreleased)

7.

Aquamarine

8.

Identical Deaths (Unreleased)

9.

Strangers (Unreleased)

10.

Close To Famous (Unreleased)

11.

Saltwater (Unreleased)

12.

Violas and Lupitas (Unreleased)

Credits

Featuring

Michael Kiwanuka

Produced By

Danger Mouse

Written By

Black Thought, Michael Kiwanuka, Jean-Pierre Alarcen, Inflo & Danger Mouse

Licensed Through

BMG

Video Director

George Muncey & Elliot Elder

Release Date

July 13, 2022

Tags

RapUKConscious Hip-HopSoulSoul RapHip-HopEast Coast

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Comments

spited

Contributor

10 days ago

amazing work 🔥

+8

HipToTheHopDontStop

9 days ago

Thought NEVER disappoints.

+2

nikk7

Contributor

8 days ago

impeccable rhyming from the OG. this 2nd verse is enough to disintegrate most of young rappers whole projects into ashes.

+2

man_is_legend

7 days ago

First verse is flawless, one of his best seriously

+2

OutMyWriteMind

Contributor

4 days ago

ITS HANDWRITTEN IN SANSKRIT????

BrianMash

2 days ago

Really dont wanna overreact due to recency bias, but damn lyrically this song could be an all-timer

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VERIFIED ARTISTS



All comments from YouTube:

@jeffh757

If Black Thought ain't in your top 10, don't talk to me about rap

@mrD66M

Man is top 1 there ain't competition for him

@ChainsGone2012

Facts. He's legitimately my favorite MC period

@jeffh757

​@@ChainsGone2012he might be mine too. He's probably the greatest lyricist of all time. There are flashier lyricists, but absolutely no one matches his depth.

@pibbya

Lyrical Goat.

@Umtiti313

Top 20, any problems?
cheat codes is a top 10 rap album oat

3 More Replies...

@dibz3990

Aquamarine is one of the greatest songs ever created .

@Zanobeats

debatable

@melodivarongel1546

agreed

@sc4u2nv2

“My words should be studied up in Berkeley and Juilliard
All my bars is hard as solid gold bullion”

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