Beneath The Surface
Genius/ Gza Lyrics
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Papa da papa papa yeah
But there's only one face I can see
If only they would understand
I'd open the door and let him in
How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?
My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea
This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried
Beneath the surface
Beneath the surface
I try though I know I'm hanging on a string
Papa da papa papa yeah
You're the only one thing on my mind
Keeps floating to a distant shore
Papa da papa papa yeah
As I go on denying myself
How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?
My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea
This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried
Beneath the surface
Beneath the surface
Oh, keeps turning round in my mind
Oh, round and round in my mind
Here I sit and watch the crowds go by
Papa da papa papa yeah
But there's only one face I can see
How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?
My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea
This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried
How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?
My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea
This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried
Beneath the surface
Beneath the surface
Beneath the surface
Beneath the surface
Beneath the surface
...
In Gza's "Beneath the Surface," the singer sits and watches the passing crowds, lamenting that nobody seems to understand how they feel. Despite being surrounded by people, the singer feels alone and unable to share their true emotions. They long for the person who occupies their thoughts, wishing they could "open the door and let him in." The singer's love is compared to a river that is desperately trying to make its way to the sea, unable to be contained or hidden forever. The refrain of "Beneath the Surface" emphasizes the idea that there are deeper emotions lurking beneath the exterior façade.
The use of "papa da papa papa yeah" suggests a sense of frustration, as the singer feels trapped and unable to break free from their own feelings. The repetition of the phrase "How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?" highlights the singer's internal struggle and their desire to break free from the constraints that are holding them back. Overall, "Beneath the Surface" is a powerful exploration of feelings of isolation and the difficulty of expressing oneself in a world that often seems indifferent.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I sit and watch the crowds go by
The singer is observing people pass by.
Papa da papa papa yeah
This is a vocalization that is not intended to convey any specific meaning.
But there's only one face I can see
The singer is deeply focused on one person in particular.
If only they would understand
The artist wishes that others could comprehend their situation.
I'd open the door and let him in
The artist wants to be with the person they are fixated on.
How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?
The singer is questioning how long they are able to keep their emotions bottled up and secret.
My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea
The singer's feelings are potent and need to be unleashed.
This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried
Despite attempts to conceal their emotions, the artist cannot do so completely.
Beneath the surface
The real, true feelings are buried within the artist.
I try though I know I'm hanging on a string
The artist is attempting to manage their emotions despite a precarious situation.
You're the only one thing on my mind
The object of the singer's affection is at the forefront of their thoughts.
Keeps floating to a distant shore
The artist's feelings keep drifting farther and farther away.
As I go on denying myself
The singer is actively suppressing their emotions for the sake of others.
Oh, keeps turning round in my mind
The singer cannot get their emotions out of their head.
Oh, round and round in my mind
The singer's emotions are stuck in a continuous loop.
Beneath the surface
The real, true feelings are buried within the artist.
Beneath the surface
The true, deep emotions reside under the artist's exterior.
Beneath the surface
The real, true feelings are buried within the singer.
Beneath the surface
The true, deep emotions reside under the singer's exterior.
Beneath the surface
The real, true feelings are buried within the artist.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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