Change featuring Wale
Daniel Merriweather Lyrics

I saw a dried up river and a rich man
I witnessed the disparity between the haves and have-nots in society - a wealthy individual using precious resources carelessly.

Turning on a garden hose
The rich man wasting water on his plants, while people living nearby don't have access to basic necessities like clean water to drink or bathe in.

I see a young man picking up a gun
A young person from a community with limited opportunities has become desperate and turned to violence.

I guess that's where the money goes, yeah
The root of many societal problems can be traced back to income inequality and lack of access to resources.

Am I just as good as a bad man
If I'm not taking action against injustice, am I any better than someone who actively causes harm?

Sleeping while the rest are dying?
Ignoring societal issues and living in privilege while others suffer.

Or am I just as bad as a good man
If I don't use my power or privilege for good, am I any different from someone who uses their privilege to cause harm?

Saying there's no use of trying?
Losing hope and not taking action to make a positive change.

Ooh, tell me do you still believe
Asking if the listener still has faith in the possibility of positive change.

Ooh, everything that you read?
Questioning the validity of information and the need to analyze and critically think about what we're told.

Till we learn to get together
Until we put aside differences and work together as a united front.

And see who we really are
Recognizing the underlying societal issues and effort required to change them.

Ain't nothing gonna change
No positive change will occur without action and sustained effort.

If nobody's gonna wake up
If people don't become aware and take action against societal issues.

And start asking who's in charge
Questioning who holds power and who makes decisions that impact society.

Ain't shit changing but diapers on babies
Negating the idea that anything substantial is changing, just like how babies' diapers need to be changed regularly.

Get higher than the background singers singing, singing
A reference to the numbing effects of escaping reality through drugs or other coping mechanisms, while others continue to suffer.

Some people do it all for money
Some prioritize personal financial gain over social responsibility and morality.

And some do it all for their love, yeah
Others pursue careers or actions out of their love for a certain subject or activity.

Some do it all for the glory
Some prioritize status or recognition over actually making a positive impact.

'Cause nothing else they're thinking of
They are solely focused on achieving a certain level of status regardless of the impact on society.

I saw a man in a four door truck
I witnessed someone who possesses a level of privilege and comfort.

Complaining that the price is high
The individual is complaining but may not understand the true value of items or resources they have access to.

Like a well feed man with a spoon in his hand
An analogy to describe how a person with privilege and resources may not be fully utilizing or understanding their advantages.

Saying who ate all the apple pie, yeah
A sense of entitlement or belief that others are taking away resources they believe are rightfully theirs.

If I ain't ready to listen I'm never gonna listen
If I'm not ready to recognize societal issues and change my behavior, I won't be able to make any positive change.

Most follow intuition while they wishing it would work
Many people follow their instincts and desires without taking into account any negative impact it may have on society.

And my vision isn't perfect so I will never look for it
If I don't recognize the imperfections or faults in my own thinking and behavior, I won't be able to make strides toward positive change.

Don't wish for some change like a church worker
Simply wishing for change, without taking action or having a concrete plan, is not effective.

Hallelujah, preacher I am not influenced
I'm not influenced or swayed by someone just because they hold a position of authority or religious significance.

If I don't donate to your movement am I not improving?
Questioning the idea that monetary support is the only way to make a positive change or support a cause.

And while the poor kill the poor for a portion
Describing the cycle of poverty and lack of resources that doesn't allow for upward mobility or improvement.

A piece of American society pie
A metaphor to describe how society as a whole is impacted by poverty and lack of resources.

I get high, the munchies I got so bear witness
Using drugs or other coping mechanisms to ignore societal issues and problems.

I got this girl looking at you 'cause my reps kissing
Boasting or showing off, even if it means someone else is negatively impacted.

And I ain't ready to wait when there's dollars on the brain
Prioritizing financial gain over social responsibility or positive change.

Why would you expect change?
If people aren't willing to make an effort or change their ways, why would anything actually change?