Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Danger Mouse Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're now tuned into the muh'fuckin greatest
Turn the music up in the headphones
Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga
I got you, yeah

[Chorus: Jay-Z]
If you feelin like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Niggaz is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder

[Verse One]
I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
Tryin to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
Feelin no remorse, feelin like my hand was forced
Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grippin my balls
Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin
All the ballers is bouncin they like the way I be leanin
All the rappers be hatin, off the track that I'm makin
But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pots
Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I can run it back nigga cause I'm straight with the Roc

[Chorus]

[Chorus Two]
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder

[Verse Two]
Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I just whipped up a watch, tryin to get me a Rover
Tryin to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
Keep the Heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin
Now fifty-two bars come it, now you feel 'em
Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin
with a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real

[Chorus + Chorus Two]

[Verse Three]
Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
Me and my beautiful beeeeeeeitch in the back of that 'Bach
I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggaz scared of that black
I drop that +Black, Album+ then I back, out it
As the best rapper alive nigga axe about me
From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammys
The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin out the Garden in a day
I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?

[Chorus + Chorus Two]

You're now tuned into the muh'fuckin greatest





Best rapper alive, best rapper alive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Danger Mouse's song "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" are about overcoming obstacles and proving oneself to be the best in their field. The chorus encourages listeners to brush off any negativity and continue to strive for greatness. The verses highlight the artist's success and hard work, as well as their disregard for societal norms and authority.


In the first verse, the artist talks about feeling pressure to maintain their success and recognition. They also express their willingness to take risks and defy expectations. The second verse discusses their ambition and determination, despite the obstacles they face. The final verse touches on the artist's accomplishments and legacy, as well as their confidence in their abilities.


Overall, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" is a motivational song about perseverance and success. It encourages listeners to ignore negativity and continue striving for greatness, even in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

You're now tuned into the muh'fuckin greatest
The song is being presented as the work of the best rapper alive


Turn the music up in the headphones
Asking the audio engineer to turn up the volume in the headphones


Tim, you can go and brush your shoulder off nigga
Tim is being told that he can confidently dismiss any criticism or negativity directed towards him


I got you, yeah
The artist is reassuring Tim that he has his back


If you feelin like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Addressing the listener and encouraging them to disregard anything that might bring them down and focus on feeling confident and successful


Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Recognizing that women can also be successful and confident, and encouraging them to brush off any negativity they may encounter


Niggaz is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Warning the listener not to underestimate the potential danger they may face from others


Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Reiterating the main message of the song: to let go of negativity and focus on feeling confident and successful


I probably owe it to y'all, proud to be locked by the force
The artist recognizes that his success is due in part to his fans' support, and he is proud of it


Tryin to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
The artist is trying to acquire material possessions that convey success and wealth, such as a Porsche sports car


Feelin no remorse, feelin like my hand was forced
The artist is unapologetic for his actions and feels that he had to do what he did to succeed


Middle finger to the Lord, nigga grippin my balls
The artist is rebelling against authority and feels powerful and confident


Stab the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin
The artist is confident in his appeal to women and enjoys the attention he receives from fans


All the ballers is bouncin they like the way I be leanin
The artist's confidence and success are impressing his peers in the music industry


All the rappers be hatin, off the track that I'm makin
Other rappers are envious of the artist's success and critical of his music


But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Although some may be critical, those who have struggled and worked hard to achieve success are inspired by the artist's achievements


Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pots
The artist has risen from humble beginnings to the height of fame and success


Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
The artist is proud of his success not just in his hometown but also abroad


Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
The artist is comparing his progress in the music industry to that of a successful football player


I can run it back nigga cause I'm straight with the Roc
The artist's success is tied to his affiliation with Jay-Z's record label, Roc-A-Fella Records


Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
Jay-Z is mentioned as being involved in illegal drug activity, likely producing cocaine


I just whipped up a watch, tryin to get me a Rover
The artist has enough money to afford luxurious items like a Rolex and a Range Rover


Tryin to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yessir
The artist is trying to maximize his profits from selling cocaine and is using wrestling metaphors to describe his tactics


Keep the Heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
The artist is carrying a gun for protection as he is afraid of being robbed by drug users


But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin
The artist is comparing the drug game to a deck of cards and is declaring that he is finished with it


Now fifty-two bars come it, now you feel 'em
The artist has moved on to music and is confident in his ability to write and perform well


Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
The artist is now successful enough to afford expensive cars and to enjoy driving them with the top down


In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin
The artist expects to have the company of many women now that he is successful


with a boss bitch of course S.C. on the sleeve
The artist is accompanied by a successful and confident woman, and is wearing a shirt displaying his record label, S.C.


At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
The artist is at a famous nightclub co-owned by Jay-Z, and is watching ESPN, a sports network, on one of the screens


I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
The artist is wearing expensive clothing and shoes


No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real
The artist's cars are not flashy, indicating that he is mature and wise with his money


Your boy back in the building, Brooklyn we back on the map
The artist is proud to represent his home borough of Brooklyn and to contribute to its cultural reputation


Me and my beautiful beeeeeeeitch in the back of that 'Bach
The artist is with a woman he finds attractive, and they are riding in his Mercedes-Benz S-Class ('Bach)


I'm the realest that run it, I just happen to rap
The artist considers himself to be a successful and genuine person, not just a successful rapper


I ain't gotta clap at 'em, niggaz scared of that black
The artist's reputation is so threatening that he doesn't need to use violence to intimidate his enemies


I drop that +Black, Album+ then I back, out it
The artist has released a successful album ('The Black Album') and is planning to retire from music ('back out of it')


As the best rapper alive nigga axe about me
The artist is confident in his skills and status as the best rapper alive, and challenges others to ask around about him for confirmation


From Bricks to Billboards, from grams to Grammys
The artist has successfully transitioned from drug dealing to becoming a famous musician, earning multiple awards (Grammys)


The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
The artist is using wordplay to describe his success and wealth, and references the comic character Orphan Annie


You gotta pardon Jay, for sellin out the Garden in a day
Jay-Z had a successful concert at Madison Square Garden ('The Garden') that sold out very quickly, and the artist is asking for forgiveness for the commercialization of his art


I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
The artist compares himself to the successful Motown artist Marvin Gaye, who was known for his smooth and soulful music


I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
The artist is still a hustler at heart, and is reminding the listener that they are a consumer of his music


Got some, dirt on my shoulder, could you brush it off for me?
The artist requests assistance from others in removing any negativity or criticism that may be directed towards him


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Reiterating the main message of the song: to let go of negativity and focus on feeling confident and successful


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Reiterating the main message of the song: to let go of negativity and focus on feeling confident and successful


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Reiterating the main message of the song: to let go of negativity and focus on feeling confident and successful


You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Reiterating the main message of the song: to let go of negativity and focus on feeling confident and successful




Contributed by Maria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Cocko McDickums

Props to Mouse for making one of the Beatles' saddest songs sound so upbeat

cosmonautiks

I need the instrumental to this!!!!! No offense to Jay-Z but the beat is so amazing

leslie duncan

Julia, by the Beatles. Gorgeous song.

Lemon Melon

amazing mixing skills!!

Wayne Howells

This is my shit right here!!!!!!

KeithTerryMusic

I did the same thing. I heard about it, and love Jay and the Beatles. But...I don't think Danger Mouse actually LISTENED to Julia before mixing it with Dirt Off Your Shoulders.

killrlsevin55

Dude this is awesome.

Stephen Edwards

Duke Ellington , Count Basie , Ornette Coleman - step down ! This is real genius!

Nicole Harrish

@phoen99rising YES HE IS A GENIUS!!!!!! I LOVE HIM

Sarah Macgregor

Of course he did, you obviously just want to hear julia again and can't tolerate remixes like most of your kind.... this is beautfiul and brings out j z's lyrics in a way the black album never did, shame twat purists will NEVER see it!

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