People Talk
Etana Lyrics


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People talk
That's what they do
But they don't understand
How mi still a push an' go through

Yes, they laugh
They call me names
But they just don't get it
How dem see mi a hol' my head up just the same

When dem see me, dem just keep on talkin'
Me nuh see them, I just keep on walkin'
I've got my pride
Me nah go show my bad side

Some a dem see me as a big pushover
Let me fi dead, dem think I'm gonna kill over
Oh no, not I
I and I will survive

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them take away your levity
Live your life and be free

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them lead you astray, starting today
Live your life and live it your way

When you go through heartache
When you feelin' pain
When you en' up in a desert
An' a wonda why the hell it nah rain

When dem pass dem judgement
And every word lef' a stain
When dem talk up di things dem
Just fi mash up yuh life an' give you bad name

Dem think yu weak but a deso dem blunda
Bad mind and think dem lef' yu business asunder
Don't give dem that power
Show dem you can be stronger

Jus tek up yuself an' mek di whole a dem wonda
How yu get up when dek a try keep you under
Don't believe their lies
Show dem that you will rise

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them take away your levity
Live your life and be free

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them lead you astray, starting today
Live your life your way

I say people talk
That's what they do
But they don't understand
How mi still a push an' go through

Yes, they laugh
Some call me names
But they just don't get it
How dem see mi a hol' my head up just the same

When dem see me, dem just keep on talkin'
And me nuh see them, I just keep on walkin'
I've got my pride
Me nah go show my bad side

Some a dem see me as a big pushover
Let me fi dead, dem think I'm gonna kill over
Oh no, not I
I and I will survive

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them take away your levity
Live your life and be free

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them lead you astray, starting today
Live your life your way

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them take away your levity
Live your life and be free

Never let them get you down
Never let them see you frown
Never let them take away your levity
Live your life and be free

Get you down, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Don't let them get you down, no, no, no, no, no, no
I got my pride, I got my pride
I'm standing firm, I'm standing firm
Stronger, yeah, eh

They can't do me like that




What?
Miss it

Overall Meaning

Etana's "People Talk" is a song about perseverance despite the criticism and judgment of others. The first verse explains that people talk about her but they don't understand how she continues to push through. Even though they call her names and laugh at her, she keeps her head up high and maintains her pride. In the chorus, Etana reiterates the importance of not letting others get you down or take away your joy and freedom. She encourages listeners to live their lives on their own terms and not be led astray by the negative opinions of others.


The second verse delves deeper into the pain that comes from the words and actions of others. Etana describes the feeling of being in a desert during a drought and watching judgmental words leave stains on her reputation. Despite this, she does not let others define her as weak and instead shows her strength by rising up from under their negativity. The bridge reinforces that she will not be pushed around by others and that her pride remains intact.


People Talk was released on Etana's fifth studio album "Reggae Forever" on March 8, 2018. It was the first single released from the album and was produced by Jamaica's legendary musician and producer Clive Hunt. "Reggae Forever" earned Etana her first Grammy nomination for the Best Reggae Album category in 2019.


Line by Line Meaning

People talk
People talk about others


That's what they do
It's natural for people to talk about others


But they don't understand
People talking about them do not understand the situation of the person they are talking about


How mi still a push an' go through
Despite what people say, the person is still able to persevere


Yes, they laugh
People laugh at the person


They call me names
People use derogatory labels for the person


But they just don't get it
People laughing and calling names don't understand the person's experience


How dem see mi a hol' my head up just the same
Despite the negative words said by others, the person remains confident


When dem see me, dem just keep on talkin'
When people see the person, they keep talking


Me nuh see them, I just keep on walkin'
The person ignores them and continues walking


I've got my pride
The person has self-respect and confidence


Me nah go show my bad side
The person won't show their negative emotions to others


Some a dem see me as a big pushover
Some people view the person as weak


Let me fi dead, dem think I'm gonna kill over
Some think the person will fail or give up


Oh no, not I
The person is determined not to give up


I and I will survive
The person will survive despite what others say


Never let them get you down
Don't let others' words discourage or hurt you


Never let them see you frown
Don't show others that their words have affected you


Never let them take away your levity
Don't let others take away your liveliness and energy


Live your life and be free
The person should live their life on their own terms


When you go through heartache
When the person experiences emotional pain


When you feelin' pain
When the person experiences physical or emotional pain


When you en' up in a desert
When the person feels lost and hopeless


An' a wonda why the hell it nah rain
The person is wondering why things aren't getting better


When dem pass dem judgement
When people make assumptions and judge the person


And every word lef' a stain
Assumptions and negative words leave a lasting impact


When dem talk up di things dem
When people gossip about the person


Just fi mash up yuh life an' give you bad name
Gossip is meant to tear down the person's life and reputation


Dem think yu weak but a deso dem blunda
People assume the person is weak, but they are wrong


Bad mind and think dem lef' yu business asunder
Jealous people think they have ruined the person's life


Don't give dem that power
The person shouldn't let others have control over their emotions or thoughts


Show dem you can be stronger
The person should show others they are capable of being strong


Jus tek up yuself an' mek di whole a dem wonda
The person should pick themselves up and make others wonder how they did it


How yu get up when dek a try keep you under
Others are surprised the person is still standing despite everything said against them


Don't believe their lies
The person shouldn't believe what others say about them


Show dem that you will rise
The person should show others they will overcome and succeed


Get you down, oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Don't let others discourage you


I got my pride, I got my pride
The person has self-respect and self-worth


I'm standing firm, I'm standing firm
The person is standing strong


Stronger, yeah, eh
The person is becoming even stronger through their experiences


They can't do me like that
Others won't be able to bring the person down


What?
Expression of disbelief or defiance




Writer(s): Shauna Gayle Melissa Mckenzie, Carol Dexter Copyright: Greensleeves Publishing Limited

Contributed by Chase A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@dookeyb9986

2023 & this song is still as lovely as it was the first time I heard it ❤

@du-mas

🥰💪🏿💪🏿❤️‍🔥💯🔥🌄🎉

Big up
. Yah 💞💓💗

@flygirlgeorgiaunstoppable4634

She need to get an award 🥉 for this song 🎧 I love it 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@elx2482

Agree 💯%.......in concert in New Orleans TONITE!!!

@emmajules3729

Happens

@michellebeckstrom6110

This lady and her talent are gifts from God.

@nicholaslungren9365

Who is listening during 2020? This song cannot die!

@janicesmith6328

I agree

@nigelicarogers8557

2021 <3

@kenny7974

I was in prayer and I ended up listening to this song. Thank you Lord Jesus for the encouragement! 🙏🏽

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