Danny! is a former student of the Savannah College of Art & Design. He often wears an oxford shirt and pinstriped necktie, and has gained notoriety for prank-calling celebrities. In 2012 Danny! rose to prominence shortly following the proclamation by The Roots drummer Questlove that there was strong interest from Jay-Z; he was subsequently signed as the flagship artist to Questlove's re-launched Okayplayer Records after years of being loosely affiliated with the company. In support of the new venture Danny! made his television debut on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" in September 2012, premiering his song "Evil" alongside The Roots.
Prior to this Danny! was most notable for his efficacious DIY approach to his music career, producing virtually every aspect of his albums—from the production to the cover art and even promotion—by himself to varying degrees of acclaim. He would field praise for his self-released concept records "Charm" and "And I Love H.E.R.", the latter named by ABC News as one of the best 50 albums of 2008, before releasing the "anti-album" "Where Is Danny?" in early 2011. After signing to Okayplayer Records the following year, Danny! completed his trilogy of conceptual albums with "Payback".
Carousel
Danny! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
First my life is like a roller-coaster
Now it's like a carousel, y'know, going in circles
When will it stop
[Chorus]
Somebody let me off this muthafucka
My life is spinnin' 'round and 'round
I think I need to slow it down
Somebody let me off this muthafucka
My life is spinnin' 'round and 'round
Somebody let me off this muthafucka
I think I need to slow it down, down, DOWN
[Verse 1]
Yo, yo me, G' and Khary
Three the hard way
J. Nix, MK-6: take yo' pick man
Matter fact take six man, take a breather
I'll make it easy for you
This merry-go-round ain't merry at all
Danny wanna hop off this carousel
But scared he could fall
Figured I'd make a few beans with my daily routine
But if the monotony's making you scream
Then what's the ride worth?
Yo, what is my purpose?
If I could fly from this earth, I would
And gain perspective like a third eye could, but ummm
Everyday is like a rat race
Try to escape, fall flat on your face
'Cause in between the shows and the interviews
Dough and the scent of new
Hoes, centerfolds waitin' backstage in the nude
I sorta lost control
My star status got me feelin' mad exhausted yo
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
Was interrupted in my thoughts by this shorty I used to rap to
Back when I had two at a time... I was that smooth
I ran into her at the State Fair
She told me '"we should do lunch"
I said "fuck it", and we just ate there
We was a great pair; we talked candidly
About the romance that we had in the past
She's gassed 'cause I'm rapping and I'm big time now
I asked how she was doing and she gave me a half-smile
Now that's wild
We made our way to the ride with the unicorns
And the moon ornaments - how appropriate
she told me it had been four years, still got no associate's
Degree, and now she's trying to cope with the debris
Of a marriage gone wrong, baby carriages on the lawn
Said she got a seed, six years old and can't read
I'm like, "whoa, slow up your speed"
She agreed and nodded her head
Bugged me out when she said
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Danny!'s song "Carousel" paint a picture of the ups and downs of life in the entertainment industry. In the first verse, Danny, G, and Khary are caught up in the daily routine of trying to make it big, but they feel like they're on a spinning carousel that won't let them off. The monotony of the rat race makes Danny question his purpose and wonder if the ride is even worth it. He describes losing control and feeling exhausted from the demands of his star status.
In the second verse, Danny runs into a former love interest at the State Fair. She seems impressed by his success, but he learns that her life hasn't been so easy. She's coping with the aftermath of a failed marriage and struggling to raise a child who can't read. This encounter makes Danny realize that life is a carousel for everyone, not just those in the entertainment industry. He calls for someone to let him off the ride, to slow it down and gain some perspective.
Overall, "Carousel" is a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of life and the toll it can take on individuals. Danny uses vivid imagery and personal anecdotes to illustrate his point and create a relatable message for listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
It's crazy yo, it's like...
My life has become unpredictable and uncontrollable.
First my life is like a roller-coaster
My life was unstable, full of ups and downs.
Now it's like a carousel, y'know, going in circles
My life feels repetitive and monotonous, with no sense of direction.
When will it stop
I want to get off this ride and start living a more stable and meaningful life.
Somebody let me off this muthafucka
I'm asking for help to get out of this situation.
My life is spinnin' 'round and 'round
My life feels out of control and overwhelming.
I think I need to slow it down
I need to take a break and reassess my life choices.
Yo, yo me, G' and Khary
Referring to the group of friends he's with.
Matter fact take six man, take a breather
Suggesting his friends take a break from their busy lives.
This merry-go-round ain't merry at all
Comparing his life to a broken, unenjoyable carnival ride.
Danny wanna hop off this carousel
Expressing his desire to leave his current lifestyle behind.
But scared he could fall
Admitting his fear of the risks involved in trying to change his life.
Figured I'd make a few beans with my daily routine
Admitting that he's only doing what he's doing for the money.
But if the monotony's making you scream
Admitting that the repetitiveness of his life is making him feel trapped.
Then what's the ride worth?
Asking himself if it's worth it to continue living this way.
Yo, what is my purpose?
Questioning the meaning and purpose of his life.
If I could fly from this earth, I would
Expressing his desire to escape his current life and start anew.
And gain perspective like a third eye could, but ummm
Describing his hope to gain a different perspective on life.
Everyday is like a rat race
Describing the exhausting and competitive nature of his daily life.
Try to escape, fall flat on your face
Admitting that he's attempted to change his life before but has failed.
'Cause in between the shows and the interviews
Describing the superficiality of his current lifestyle.
Dough and the scent of new
Referring to his materialistic pursuits and desire for fame.
Hoes, centerfolds waitin' backstage in the nude
Referring to the sexual temptations that come with his career.
I sorta lost control
Admitting that he's lost his grip on his life.
My star status got me feelin' mad exhausted yo
Describing the toll his fame is taking on him.
Was interrupted in my thoughts by this shorty I used to rap to
Describing an encounter with an old friend.
Back when I had two at a time... I was that smooth
Admitting his past behavior of being promiscuous.
She told me 'we should do lunch'
Suggesting the idea of getting together and catching up.
I said 'fuck it', and we just ate there
Describing how casual and low-stakes the encounter was.
We was a great pair; we talked candidly
Describing their past relationship as being open and honest.
About the romance that we had in the past
Reminiscing on their romantic history.
She's gassed 'cause I'm rapping and I'm big time now
Describing how his fame has affected his old friend's perception of him.
I asked how she was doing and she gave me a half-smile
Describing his friend's unfulfilling and unhappy life.
Now that's wild
Expressing his surprise and shock at her current situation.
We made our way to the ride with the unicorns
Describing a ride they went on together.
And the moon ornaments - how appropriate
Commenting on the coincidence of the ride's decorations to their conversation.
She told me it had been four years, still got no associate's
Admitting her lack of educational and career success.
Degree, and now she's trying to cope with the debris
Admitting that her life has been full of struggle and hardship.
Of a marriage gone wrong, baby carriages on the lawn
Describing her failed marriage and the remnants of it still present in her life.
Said she got a seed, six years old and can't read
Describing her child's developmental struggles.
I'm like, 'whoa, slow up your speed'
Offering words of comfort and encouragement to his friend.
She agreed and nodded her head
Receiving affirmation from his friend.
Bugged me out when she said
Expressing his surprise at what his friend said next.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DANIEL KEYES TASHIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Polski Ziemniak
Fantastic tune.