Hercules
Faithless Lyrics


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All you fear, is fear its self
Check our your own back yard before you check out someone else

Railroad track, in my neighborhood
Ain't no trains around that part just ain't no good

Wanna know, what's going down,
When the pimp on the corner looks like the sharpest cat in town

Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Might get caught by the hook of a crook no time for cool

Look out jay, what you say, what you carrying brother
I hope you're clean cause the man is mean, don't come another further

We all know the answer, will come out in time
I might even carry some of your load, right along with mine

Thank you ma'am, mister please
â??Cause I must be Hercules
I must be Hercules

Like a bird, on the wing
I just wanna be free enough to do my thing

I can feel the pressure, from every side
If you ain't gonna help, don't hurt, just pass me by

Oh, no

Hercules
I must be Hercules

Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Devil is on the loose, no coo
Got your feet, in the sand
Got to be down with the cats that around and still got the face the man

Talk about me if you please but I must be Hercules
Hercules
I must be Hercules

Duckin' rocks, catchin' stones
Movin' how can I survive what's going on
Big steely borrow
Somehow I've got to make it to tomorrow

Can't depend, on no-one else
Comin' up the hard way I've got to save myself

Must be Hercules
I must be Hercules




Talk about me if you please
I must be hercules

Overall Meaning

The song "Hercules" by Faithless speaks about the need to withstand societal pressure, face one's fears, and remain confident in one's abilities. The opening lyrics state that "all you fear is fear itself," suggesting that fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The next line ("check our your own backyard before you check out someone else") implies that before judging others, one ought to take a good hard look at oneself.


The song then moves on to discuss the dangers and temptations that one might face in certain neighborhoods. The line "when the pimp on the corner looks like the sharpest cat in town" refers to the idea that sometimes one's oppressors can appear both alluring and intimidating. The reference to "jungle rule" suggests that survival can sometimes depend upon being cunning rather than being purely honest.


Later in the song, the lyrics implore listeners to "just wanna be free enough to do my thing." This suggests that the pressures of society can often restrict individuals from pursuing their own dreams or desires. The repeated phrase "I must be Hercules" appears to be a rallying cry to oneself, an affirmation of one's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

All you fear, is fear its self
Don't let fear control you, as it has no real power


Check our your own back yard before you check out someone else
Before you judge someone else, take a look at your own flaws and problems


Railroad track, in my neighborhood
There's something dangerous or ominous in my immediate surroundings


Ain't no trains around that part just ain't no good
There's something wrong or dysfunctional about the environment


Wanna know, what's going down,
Wanting to understand the truth of the situation


When the pimp on the corner looks like the sharpest cat in town
When even those who seem to have power and control are still vulnerable and uncertain


Jungle rule, can't be no fool
In an environment where power and violence rule, you can't be naive or unprepared


Might get caught by the hook of a crook no time for cool
You might get caught up in someone else's schemes or evil deeds, so you need to be vigilant and aware


Look out jay, what you say, what you carrying brother
Be careful what you say and what you carry with you, as it could lead to trouble


I hope you're clean cause the man is mean, don't come another further
The authorities will not hesitate to punish you if you're caught with something illegal


We all know the answer, will come out in time
The truth will always eventually be revealed


I might even carry some of your load, right along with mine
I might help you with your problems, as we share the same burdens


Thank you ma'am, mister please
Being polite and respectful to others


â??Cause I must be Hercules
I must be strong and resilient in the face of adversity


Like a bird, on the wing
I want to be free and unencumbered by the challenges of life


I just wanna be free enough to do my thing
I want the freedom to pursue my own goals and desires


I can feel the pressure, from every side
Being weighed down by the pressures and expectations of society and others


If you ain't gonna help, don't hurt, just pass me by
If someone isn't going to help, they shouldn't add to your problems and should just leave you alone


Hercules
A repeated assertion that the singer must be strong and resilient


Jungle rule, can't be no fool
Reiterating the need to be smart and proactive in dangerous environments


Devil is on the loose, no coo
Evil or malevolent forces are at work and causing chaos


Got your feet, in the sand
Being stuck or trapped in an undesirable situation


Got to be down with the cats that around and still got the face the man
Having to work with others in a similar situation to yours, and still dealing with authority figures


Duckin' rocks, catchin' stones
Being under attack and trying to avoid harm


Movin' how can I survive what's going on
Having to keep moving and adapting in order to stay alive


Big steely borrow
Dealing with overwhelming debts or obligations


Somehow I've got to make it to tomorrow
Finding a way to keep going and to push through to the next day


Can't depend, on no-one else
Having to rely solely on oneself to survive and succeed


Comin' up the hard way I've got to save myself
Having to struggle and overcome challenges without external help to achieve personal success and happiness


Talk about me if you please
Others can say what they want about me, it won't affect me


I must be Hercules
Final reiteration and affirmation of strength and resilience




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Allen Toussaint

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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