Beneath The Surface
Genius & GZA Lyrics


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Here I sit and watch the crowds go by

Papa da papa papa yeah

But there's only one face I can see

If only they would understand
Papa da papa papa yeah

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





...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Beneath The Surface" by Genius & GZA are about an individual who is secretly in love with someone, but is unable to express their true feelings. The song starts with the singer observing the people passing by, but they can only see the face of the person they love. The repeated line "Papa da papa papa yeah" adds a sense of longing and yearning for this person.


The singer wishes for others to understand their deep feelings, as expressed in the line "If only they would understand." They desire to open the door and let the object of their affection in, but are hiding their true emotions from the world. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and desperation, as the singer questions how long they can keep their feelings hidden.


The metaphor of love being compared to a river that needs to make its way into the sea suggests that the singer's love is powerful and cannot be contained. Despite their attempts to bury their emotions, they acknowledge that this feeling cannot be hidden forever. The repetition of "Beneath the surface" emphasizes the idea that there is a depth of emotions hidden within the singer that is yearning to be expressed.


Overall, the lyrics of "Beneath The Surface" explore the internal struggle of suppressing one's love and the longing to be honest and open about their feelings.


Line by Line Meaning

Here I sit and watch the crowds go by
I observe the passing crowds from my place of solitude


Papa da papa papa yeah
Expressing a sense of affirmation and rhythm


But there's only one face I can see
Amidst the multitude, only one face captures my attention


If only they would understand
I wish for others to comprehend my true emotions


I'd open the door and let him in
I desire to welcome this special person into my life


How long can I hide what I'm feeling inside?
The duration during which I can conceal my inner emotions


My love is a river that's got to make its way into sea
My affection is a force that must reach its ultimate destination


This feeling can't hide, Lord knows I've tried
No matter my efforts, I cannot conceal this sentiment


Beneath the surface
Underneath the external appearances or facades


I try though I know I'm hanging on a string
Despite understanding the precariousness of my situation, I attempt to persist


You're the only one thing on my mind
You occupy my thoughts solely


Keeps floating to a distant shore
My thoughts persistently drift towards a faraway place


As I go on denying myself
While I continue to reject my own desires


Oh, keeps turning round in my mind
Oh, it incessantly circles within my thoughts


Oh, round and round in my mind
Oh, continuously recurring within my thoughts


Beneath the surface
Underneath the external appearances or facades


Beneath the surface
Underneath the external appearances or facades


Beneath the surface
Underneath the external appearances or facades


Beneath the surface
Underneath the external appearances or facades


Beneath the surface
Underneath the external appearances or facades




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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