Say What You Say
Dr Dre/Eminem Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

So I'm out the game, huh?
Yo, Dre, we ridin'?
Whatever
Haha, well, I'm with you, homie
Okay, let's handle the small shit

I was born to brew up storms, stir up shit
Kick up dust, cuss 'til I slur up spit
Grew up too quick, went through too much
Knew too much shit, corrupt
And I'ma pour it on like syrup, bitch
Thick and rich, sick and twisted, Mr. Buttersworth
Dre told me to milk this shit for what it's worth
'Til the cow just tilts and tips and stumbles to Earth
And if I fumble a verse, keep going
First take I make, mistakes, just keep it
No punches pulled, no punches, that's weak shit
Fake shit, if I ever take shit I'll eat shit
Wasn't for him, wouldn't be shit

Creep with me as we take a little trip down memory lane
Been here longer than anyone in the game
And I ain't got to lie about my age
(But what about Jermaine?) Fuck Jermaine!
He don't belong speaking mine or Timbaland's name
And don't think I don't read your little interviews
And see what you're sayin'
I'm a giant, and I ain't gotta move 'til I'm provoked
When I see you, I'ma step on you and not even know it
You midget, mini-me with a bunch of little mini-yous
Running around your backyard swimming pools
Over 80 million records sold
And I ain't have to do it with ten- or eleven-year-olds

'Cause what you say is what you say
Say what you say how you say it whenever you saying it
Just remember how you said it when you was spraying it
So who you playing with, huh?

'Cause what you say is what you say
Say what you say how you say it whenever you saying it
Just remember how you said it when you was spraying it
So who you playing with, huh?

Second verse, it gets worse, it gets no better than this
Amateurs drink veteran piss from a Dixie cup
If you ever mix me up
Or confuse me with a Canibus or Dre with a Dupri
We'll rub it in, every club you're in
Or have you blackballed
And make sure you never rap a-fucking-gain
Dre ain't having it, long as I'm here to play devil's advocate
If there was some magic shit I could wave over the industry
That could save it when I'm gone and buried
To make sure the tradition carries on, I would
If I could only use this power for good
I wouldn't, not even if I could
From the hood, and I'm a hornet
And I'ma only sting when I'm cornered
And I'ma only sucker punch and swing without warning
And swing to knock somebody's fucking head off
'Cause I know if they get up
I won't get a chance to let off another punch
I'm punk rock, no one's punk
Don't give a fuck, white-Pac, so much spunk
When I was little I knew I would blow up and sell a mil'
Or grow up to be Attilla, go nuts and be a killer
And I'm something of a phenom, one puff of the chron'
I'm unstoppable, I'm alive and on top again
There's no obstacle that I can't conquer
So come along with us (c'mon!)

'Cause what you say is what you say
Say what you say how you say it whenever you saying it
Just remember how you said it when you was spraying it
So who you playing with, huh?

'Cause what you say is what you say
Say what you say how you say it whenever you saying it
Just remember how you said it when you was spraying it
So who you playing with, huh?

Now anybody who knows Dre
Knows I'm about fast cars and Alizé, partying all day
But I handled my business, 'cause it's work before play
Don't look for trouble, but I'll serve you gourmet
However you want it, you can have it your way
You fuck my night up, I'ma fuck up your day
Bullet with your name, sending it your way
That goes for anyone who walks through that doorway
'Cause this is my space, you invade it
Live to regret it, and you'll die trying to violate it
Fuck around, get annihilated, eyes dilated

Huh, like my old lady
'Cause what you say is what you say
Sometimes what you mean is two different things
Depending on your mood if it swings
Think too many things, little hit of Dre's weed
I can do anything, catch a contact and I'm gone
And I'm back, I speed write
And my loose leaf's my launchpad
And I can pull any string, don't have to prove anything
Catch a contract on your head
You headed West, talk shit about Dre
You better get a vest and invest
In something to protect your head and neck
And it's back and forth all day, like Red and Meth
I joke when I say I'm the best in the booth
But a lot of truth is said in jest
And if I ever do live to be a legend I'ma die a sudden death
Five mics in The Source? Ain't holding my fucking breath
But I'll suffocate for the respect
'Fore I breathe to collect a fucking check

'Cause what you say is what you say
Say what you say how you say it whenever you saying it
Just remember how you said it when you was spraying it
So who you playing with, huh?

'Cause what you say is what you say
Say what you say how you say it whenever you saying it
Just remember how you said it when you was spraying it
So who you playing with, huh?





Watch your fucking mouth!
Yo, this Timbaland, tell him I said suck my dick!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in "Say What You Say" by Dr Dre and Eminem demonstrates their brilliance in the art of rap. The song starts with Eminem declaring that he was born to stir up trouble and that he knows too much shit. He then proceeds to talk about how he is going to take advantage of his unique rapping style and the opportunity Dre has offered him to make it to the top of the rap game. In the chorus, he reminds everyone to be careful of what they say because when you are putting yourself out there, people will always remember what you said.


In the second verse, Eminem gets even more aggressive and calls out anyone who is trying to come between him and Dre. He talks about how he is the best in the rap game and that nobody can touch him. He also mentions how he knows that he is destined for greatness, even if it means he has to be a killer. Finally, Dre comes in and talks about how he is all about business and that he will do whatever it takes to protect his craft.


Overall, "Say What You Say" is a powerful song about the struggles of making it in the rap game and the price of fame. It shows how talented and daring Eminem is as a rapper and how Dre is more than just a producer. The combination of both creates a unique and unforgettable sound that continues to inspire rap fans all over the world.


Line by Line Meaning

I was born to brew up storms, stir up shit
I was destined to cause controversy and chaos


Grew up too quick, went through too much
I matured too fast and experienced too much negativity


And I'ma pour it on like syrup, bitch
I'm going to spread my negative experiences like syrup on pancakes


Thick and rich, sick and twisted, Mr. Buttersworth
Like the syrup brand, I'm thick and rich but also twisted and dark


Dre told me to milk this shit for what it's worth
Dr. Dre advised me to capitalize on my experiences and use them for success


'Til the cow just tilts and tips and stumbles to Earth
Until we have drained all possible value and the industry collapses


Creep with me as we take a little trip down memory lane
Join me in reminiscing about my long career in the industry


He don't belong speaking mine or Timbaland's name
Jermaine Dupri has no business mentioning myself or Timbaland


No punches pulled, no punches, that's weak shit
Honesty is important, holding back is weak


Fake shit, if I ever take shit I'll eat shit
I refuse to lie or pretend, and will own up to any mistakes


Wasn't for him, wouldn't be shit
Without Dr. Dre, I wouldn't have achieved success in the industry


Amateurs drink veteran piss from a Dixie cup
Novices learn from experienced professionals, even if they don't understand the lessons fully


Bullet with your name, sending it your way
I will not hesitate to use violence against those who cross me


Live to regret it, and you'll die trying to violate it
If you mess with me, you will suffer the consequences


And I'm back, I speed write
When I'm in the zone, I write quickly and efficiently


I joke when I say I'm the best in the booth
I often use humor to downplay my own success and talent


But a lot of truth is said in jest
Jokes often contain elements of truth


And if I ever do live to be a legend I'ma die a sudden death
I'm not concerned with fame or recognition, and don't plan on living a long life


Five mics in The Source? Ain't holding my fucking breath
I don't expect to receive a perfect rating from The Source magazine


But I'll suffocate for the respect
I am dedicated to earning respect, even if it means sacrificing my own comfort


Yo, this Timbaland, tell him I said suck my dick!
I am disrespecting Timbaland and demanding that the listener pass on the message




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andre Young, Marshall B Mathers, Michael A Elizondo, Ronald Feemster

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@6Foot4Honda

classic era of eminem...i can listen to this all day
jizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

@BurnedAwake

Just put a system in my truck and this was the first CD to crush my kidneys woot

@Chris-kx2yg

damn straight 6F4H i love this shit. (rider from the states) lol sorry i keep saying that. just how you said it in ur live stream and im baked right now lol

@SipahZor

Yo 6Foot lovin Em, knew you listened to him but never tought i'd see you here! Keep the good content up man! Cheers, rider from Finland

@rh7107

Sup Honda lol

@meeetallicaaaa

+6Foot4Honda ayyyyyyy

10 More Replies...

@cmac3936

“From the hood, and I’m a hornet, and imma only sting when I’m cornered”

“AND IMMA ONLY SUCKERPUNCH AND SWING WITHOUT WARNING!”

The back and forth between them is so goddamn classic.

@SomeoneThatIsHappy

Lol when i read this comment the song apparently read with me

@andrewclark2234

And swing to knock somebody's fuckin head off 🙄 😴 😒

@DestinysComputer

It's back and forth all day like Red and Meth.

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