Sometimes
Danger Mouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It gets real dangerous, y'all
Havin' one, mm
Prisoners of Azkaban, thinkin' of a master plan
Images of grandeur by Jamel Shabazz, Dapper Dan
Clap your hands whether you in Paterson or Pakistan
Richard Wright, black boy that grew into a blacker man
The visions vary, this shit get scary, inform your team
My dignitary consigliere is more of a deen
My skin tone is aubergine
I'm a war machine
Sinner who's casted all the stones
He can manage, but with a home team advantage
Most people don't see the damage
Guess I'm gon' need a bandage if we plan to be companions
Some solos from the hammers be mimicking speaking Spanish
They vanish like Atlantis, come to find out they've been banished
(?) for the cameras and abandoning their manners for lies
That intertwine like a violet vine
I threw the rhyme book straight into the fire this time
I'm thinking
Oh sometimes, sometimes, it gets real dangerous y'all
It gets real dangerous, y'all
Havin' one, oh, mm mmm, mmm hmm hmm, mm hmm hmm, mm mm mmm
Mm hmm hmm, mm hmmm, mm hmm hmm, mm hmm hmm, mmm mmm, hmm hmm
The lyrics to Danger Mouse and Black Thought's song "Sometimes" are a commentary on modern society and its societal ills. The song begins with the repeated phrase "sometimes, sometimes, it gets real dangerous y'all," which serves as a warning that the world we live in is not always safe or predictable. The verse then takes a series of seemingly disconnected images – the "Prisoners of Azkaban," the photography of Jamel Shabazz and Dapper Dan, the writing of Richard Wright, and the historical debate between African and European supremacy – and weaves them together to create a larger message about the way that society shapes our beliefs and perceptions. Black Thought reflects on the history of racism and colonialism and how it continues to impact the present day, posing the question "early African or European, which was more supreme" while acknowledging that "the visions vary" and "this shit get scary." He juxtaposes his own status as a dignitary with his skin tone, which he describes as "aubergine," drawing attention to the way that race is both socially constructed and deeply ingrained in our unconscious biases.
The chorus of the song is a brief respite from the dense lyricism of the verse, with Black Thought singing the simple melody "sometimes it gets real dangerous y'all" over a soulful instrumental break. The instrumental break itself is built on a looped sample of a gospel choir singing "havin' one," which creates a sense of warmth and community in contrast to the heavy subject matter of the lyrics.
One interesting aspect of the song is the way that Danger Mouse's production creates a sense of tension and release, with the instrumental breaks providing a moment of catharsis before returning to the dense lyricism of the verse. The use of samples, like the gospel choir in the chorus and the jazz piano in the outro, adds texture and depth to the song, while the drum programming drives the beat forward with a sense of urgency.
Another interesting feature of the song is the way that Black Thought's lyricism engages with a range of cultural touchstones, from the Harry Potter series to the work of Richard Wright. The references serve to ground the song in a specific historical and cultural context while also highlighting the continuity of struggle across different eras and communities. This technique is one that Black Thought has used throughout his career, and it speaks to his deep knowledge of and engagement with a wide range of artistic traditions.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, sometimes, sometimes, it gets real dangerous y'all
Life can be dangerous at times and we must be aware of it
It gets real dangerous, y'all
The risks and dangers we face in life can be serious
Havin' one, mm
These challenges can be faced alone or with others
Prisoners of Azkaban, thinkin' of a master plan
An allusion to the Harry Potter series; thinking strategically while feeling trapped
Images of grandeur by Jamel Shabazz, Dapper Dan
Thinking about images of black excellence in fashion and photography
Clap your hands whether you in Paterson or Pakistan
Celebrating black culture and unity across the world
Richard Wright, black boy that grew into a blacker man
Referencing the author's journey and growth towards a stronger sense of identity
Early African or European, which was more supreme
Questioning the ideas of supremacy and Eurocentrism in history
The visions vary, this shit get scary, inform your team
There are differing views on important issues and it's important to inform our allies
My dignitary consigliere is more of a deen
Having an experienced advisor to call on for guidance
My skin tone is aubergine
Describing one's dark skin color
I'm a war machine
Ready to face the challenges of the world head-on
Sinner who's casted all the stones
Acknowledging one's own flaws while being judgmental of others
He can manage, but with a home team advantage
Being able to handle tasks better with the support of those close to you
Most people don't see the damage
The impact of difficult situations may go unnoticed by others
Guess I'm gon' need a bandage if we plan to be companions
Expecting some bumps in the road when building relationships
Some solos from the hammers be mimicking speaking Spanish
Observing how people may pretend to be something they're not
They vanish like Atlantis, come to find out they've been banished
Discovering that others have disappeared or been pushed away
(?) for the cameras and abandoning their manners for lies
Describing how some people may act differently in public vs. private
That intertwine like a violet vine
How complex and interconnected life's challenges can be
I threw the rhyme book straight into the fire this time
Taking a risk and not relying on formulaic methods
I'm thinking
Reflecting on life and its challenges
Oh sometimes, sometimes, it gets real dangerous y'all
Reiterating the unpredictability and danger of life
It gets real dangerous, y'all
A reminder to stay vigilant and aware of the challenges we face
Havin' one, oh, mm mmm, mmm hmm hmm, mm hmm hmm, mm mm mmm
The option to face these challenges alone or with the support of others
Mm hmm hmm, mm hmmm, mm hmm hmm, mm hmm hmm, mmm mmm, hmm hmm
Repeating the concept of the previous line
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Joseph Burton, Clarence Reid, Tarik Trotter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mettis3
Sometimes"
[Gwen McCrae:]
Oh, sometimes, sometimes, it get real dangerous, y'all
It get real dangerous, y'all
Havin' one love
[Black Thought:]
Prisoners of Azkaban, thinkin' of a master plan
Images of grandeur by Jamel Shabazz, Dapper Dan
Clap your hands whether you in Paterson or Pakistan
Richard Wright, black boy that grew into a blacker man
Early African or European, which was more supreme
The visions vary, this shit get scary, inform your team
My dignitary consigliere is more a Deen
My skin tone is aubergine, I'm a war machine
A sinner who's casted all the stones he can manage
But with a home team advantage, most people don't see the damage
Guess I'm gon' need a bandage if we plan to be companions
Drum solos from the hammers be mimicking speaking Spanish
They vanish like Atlantis, come to find out they've been banished
Performing for the cameras and abandoning their manners
For lies that intertwine like a violet vine
I threw the rhyme book straight into the fire this time
I'm thinking
[Gwen McCrae:]
Oh, sometimes, sometimes, it gets real dangerous, y'all
It gets real dangerous, y'all
Havin' one love
@user-lk1fn7co2w
Verse: Black Thought]
Prisoners of Azkaban, thinkin' of a master plan
Images of grandeur by Jamel Shabazz, Dapper Dan
Clap your hands whether you in Paterson or Pakistan
Richard Wright, black boy that grew into a blacker man
Early African or European, which was more supreme
The visions vary, this shit get scary, inform your team
My dignitary consigliere is Nora Dean
My skin tone is aubergine, I'm a war machine
A sinner who's casted all the stones he can managе
But with a home team advantage, most pеople don't see the damage
Guess I'm gon' need a bandage if we plan to be companions
Drum solos from the hammers be mimicking speaking Spanish
They vanish like Atlantis, come to find out they've been banished
Performing for the cameras and abandoning their manners
For lies that intertwine like a violet vine
I threw the rhyme book straight into the fire this time
I'm thinking
@火烧圆明院
[Intro: Gwen McCrae]
Oh, sometimes, sometimes, it get real dangerous, y'all
It get real dangerous, y'all
Havin' one love
[Verse: Black Thought]
Prisoners of Azkaban, thinkin' of a master plan
Images of grandeur by Jamel Shabazz, Dapper Dan
Clap your hands whether you in Paterson or Pakistan
Richard Wright, black boy that grew into a blacker man
Early African or European, which was more supreme
The visions vary, this shit get scary, inform your team
My dignitary consigliere is more a Deen
My skin tone is aubergine, I'm a war machine
A sinner who's casted all the stones he can managе
But with a home team advantage, most pеople don't see the damage
Guess I'm gon' need a bandage if we plan to be companions
Drum solos from the hammers be mimicking speaking Spanish
They vanish like Atlantis, come to find out they've been banished
Performing for the cameras and abandoning their manners
For lies that intertwine like a violet vine
I threw the rhyme book straight into the fire this time
I'm thinking
[Outro: Gwen McCrae]
Oh, sometimes, sometimes, it gets real dangerous, y'all
It gets real dangerous, y'all
Havin' one love
@donwhite1572
One of the greatest albums in hip hop history. Period.
@beezy7974
Such a beautiful Gwen MCcrae sample ❤️ obsessed with this project
@ylYolk
👀 do I see an alt intro/outro on the way fam? 🔥
@staceytunstill4041
Jesus... that soul has got me shook.
@natashacharlton2458
Me too. This is the album!
@shawnboogz7546
Lupe used this back in ‘07
@beezy7974
@@shawnboogz7546 yeh on hustlaz, guru also used it
@marcellocarbone6993
Thank you for injecting that soul back into hip hop right now, this project was much needed
@fellowbloke741
This album is beautiful
@rich45davis
One of the most melo and funkiest beats my old ears have heard in a while.