This Way
Dilated Peoples f/ Kanye West Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now turn it up, turn it up (a little louder)
Turn it uup, turn it up (little louder)
Now turn it up (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
Now turn it up, turn it up

(Yeah) Yo, I can't live my I, I can't live my
Life this way, continuously get high
Instead of runnin 'round, lock one bird down
It's a new day gotta do it big just to get right
Show no respect can't live that way
You hold my check can't live that way
Without my chick on deck, can't live that way
They say what they like, but I've been that way
Our moves calculated through the lens, almost here
Success will be the best revenge
Man, from Clint East' to Kanye West (whut up, whut up!)
The sun can't chill but everyday it sets (everyday!)

This time I made up my mind
This time I'm back on my prime
I know there's things in my life
That I'ma let go startin' tonight
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way

My favorite girl wanna leave me just because I got a girlfriend
My freak girl told me now, she a christian
My white girl wanna move back to Michigan
I'm pullin' girls off the bench like a sixth man
I'm in the club doin' the same ol' two step
While Omegas doin' the same ol' "Q" step
I have my money on my mind I was thinkin' green
She a pledge A.K.A. She was pink and green
I wanna a good girl she want a gentleman
We sayin' the same thing like a synonym
I wasn't really spittin' game I was scrimmaging
My penmanship's so hard it needs censorship
I'ma Chicagoan till Chicago ends
Till we blow like Chicago wind
I don't know what's better, gettin' laid or gettin' paid
I just know when I'm gettin one, the other's gettin' away
This way

This time I made up my mind
This time I'm back on my prime
I know there's things in my life
That I'ma let go startin' tonight
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way

Go 'head, flip a coin so the game don't stop
Believe I know the drama, kid name the part
I learnt before the hot flame came the spark
It's like before the pop fame came the park
But this industry'll play with yo' life man
They playin with yo' rent, food, water and lights man (yeah)
That's why Rakaa brings it like that ol' "Tidy T" jam
The battleram, then I'm off to Amsterdam
To rest up for strength to deal with this weight
To deal with these deals to deal with this hate
I dedicate this Jam Master Jay
Run-D.M.C. Showed me how to walk, this way

This time I made up my mind
This time I'm back on my prime
I know there's things in my life
That I'ma let go startin' tonight
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way

This way
This way
This way, ay
This way
This way




This way
This way, ay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "This Way" by Dilated Peoples talk about the struggles of life, the choices that people have to make, and the consequences they face. The song opens up with an enthusiastic call to turn up the volume, and soon after, the lyrics delve into the difficulties of living life in a way that does not benefit one's wellbeing. The song suggests that there's a need to focus on personal growth, let go of aspects that are holding one back, and strive for success despite the obstacles that come in the way.


The next phase of the song talks about relationships and how they add to the complexities of life. It highlights the dilemma of having multiple partners and the emotional strain it creates. The song also touches on socioeconomic pressures and the negative impact of the music industry on personal lives. Dilated Peoples's message in "This Way" focuses on individual choices, taking up responsibility, and striving for a better life that's based on personal growth and well-being.


Line by Line Meaning

Now turn it up, turn it up (a little louder)
Let's increase the volume of the music, make it louder than before.


(Yeah) Yo, I can't live my I, I can't live my
I'm having a hard time living my life right now.


Life this way, continuously get high
I keep getting high because I don't know how else to deal with things.


Instead of runnin 'round, lock one bird down
I need to focus on one girl instead of chasing a bunch of different ones.


It's a new day gotta do it big just to get right
I need to make some big changes in my life to get back on track.


Show no respect can't live that way
It's not healthy to live without showing any respect to others.


You hold my check can't live that way
I can't survive if someone else controls my money.


Without my chick on deck, can't live that way
I need to have my girl with me in order to live happily.


They say what they like, but I've been that way
People can say what they want about me, but I've always been true to myself.


Our moves calculated through the lens, almost here
We've planned out our next moves and we're close to achieving our goals.


Success will be the best revenge
We'll get the ultimate revenge by succeeding despite others trying to bring us down.


Man, from Clint East' to Kanye West (whut up, whut up!)
We're in this for the long haul, just like legendary figures like Clint Eastwood and Kanye West.


The sun can't chill but everyday it sets (everyday!)
Time keeps moving and nothing can stop it, just like the sun setting every day.


My favorite girl wanna leave me just because I got a girlfriend
One of my favorite girls wants to leave me because I'm dating someone else.


My freak girl told me now, she a christian
A girl I used to sleep with now says she's a Christian.


My white girl wanna move back to Michigan
My white girlfriend wants to move back to Michigan.


I'm pullin' girls off the bench like a sixth man
I'm attracting girls easily, like a basketball team's sixth man coming in off the bench.


I'm in the club doin' the same ol' two step
I'm not really doing anything new or exciting in the club.


While Omegas doin' the same ol' "Q" step
Other people in the club are doing the same old moves they always do.


I have my money on my mind I was thinkin' green
I'm focused on making money and getting ahead in life.


She a pledge A.K.A. She was pink and green
A girl I'm interested in is part of a sorority and is wearing their colors, pink and green.


I wanna a good girl she want a gentleman
I'm looking for a good girl but she's looking for a gentleman.


We sayin' the same thing like a synonym
We're essentially saying the same thing, just in different words.


I wasn't really spittin' game I was scrimmaging
I wasn't really trying that hard, I was just practicing my pickup techniques.


My penmanship's so hard it needs censorship
My lyrics are so explicit that they need to be censored.


I'ma Chicagoan till Chicago ends
I'll always be from Chicago and represent the city.


Till we blow like Chicago wind
We'll keep working hard till we make it big, like a strong Chicago wind blowing through the city.


I don't know what's better, gettin' laid or gettin' paid
I can't decide what's more important, having sex or making money.


I just know when I'm gettin one, the other's gettin' away
Whenever I focus on one, the other seems to slip away.


Go 'head, flip a coin so the game don't stop
Go ahead and flip a coin to keep the game going.


Believe I know the drama, kid name the part
I know my fair share of drama and can relate to whatever situation you're describing.


I learnt before the hot flame came the spark
I've learned that success doesn't happen overnight, it starts with a spark and builds up over time.


It's like before the pop fame came the park
Just like how musicians often start out playing in parks, success takes time and starts with small beginnings.


But this industry'll play with yo' life man
The music industry can be tough and mess with your life.


They playin with yo' rent, food, water and lights man (yeah)
The industry can even mess with crucial things like your ability to pay rent, buy food or pay your bills.


That's why Rakaa brings it like that ol' "Tidy T" jam
I always bring my best, just like classic 'Tidy T' jams from the past.


The battleram, then I'm off to Amsterdam
After putting up a good fight, I'm heading to Amsterdam to relax.


To rest up for strength to deal with this weight
I need to take a break so I have the strength to deal with the challenges ahead.


To deal with these deals to deal with this hate
I need to rest so I can handle business deals and the hate that comes with them.


I dedicate this Jam Master Jay
I'm giving a shoutout to Jam Master Jay, a legendary DJ who inspired me.


Run-D.M.C. Showed me how to walk, this way
The iconic rap group Run-DMC taught me how to navigate the music industry and life in general.


This time I made up my mind
I've come to a decision.


This time I'm back on my prime
I'm feeling confident and ready to succeed again.


I know there's things in my life
There are things in my life that need to change or be let go of.


That I'ma let go startin' tonight
Tonight I'm going to start letting go of those things.


(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't continue to live this way.


This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't continue to live my life like this.


This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't continue to live my life like this.


I can't live my life this way (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't continue to live my life like this.


This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't continue to live my life like this.


This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't continue to live my life like this.


This way, ay
I need to make changes in order to live a happier and more fulfilling life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMIE CAMERON, VELLA CAMERON, MICHAEL PERRETTA, RAKAA TAYLOR, KANYE WEST, CHRISTOPHER OROC, RAKAA W TAYLOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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