Building on the foundation of his debut album, Metamorphosis, J.R. now presents the antithesis of an infamous heavy metal album of similar moniker, Death By Stereo, with Life By Stereo—signifying God’s use of music as a medium to communicate LIFE rather than DEATH. Life By Stereo centers on the human existence, its trials and the healing balm of the gospel message. Like the book of Psalms, J.R.’s pen scopes the lamentations, woes and triumphs of the whole person. Transcending generation and genre, the album ministers in a style all its own—fusing eclectic urban gospel, contemporary R&B, Rock and Pop styles in a way pioneered by tobyMac.
J.R. has himself undergone a transformation and he sings about it with a soul-stirring grit and maturity that is revealed in the artistry of this album’s jam-packed array of percussive beats and explosive lyrical delivery. The Outkast-meets—Gwen Stefani single “Not a Slave” hones in on the perils of a past life ruled by sin contrasted with a present life ruled by the Holy Spirit.
What Is Reality
J.R. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yeah)
I don't need no new friends
I'm with my OGs, they gon ride til the end
If you cross me once, I'm not gon trust you again
How you gon act right in front of my face, just like a friend
Make it make sense
I only get bills, man you only get cents
You better come get your hoe, she smelling like some fish
Everybody want to come and go, ok it is what it is
Now they want to come for my throat, man they change up so quick
Imma just run it back up, got to stay on my sprint
Mama want me to go up, she got no doubts in her kid
My trust so messed up, it's so hard to let people in
Yeah
96 got this beat bumping
I feel desperate when I need something
So for now I'll act like I need nothing
When I get blessings, hope they keep coming
When I get hunnids, I'll keep thumbing
You'll never see me in the streets hustling
Unless I desperately need money
And I hope I never reach that level
My Mama know I got it, yeah she know I'm special, uh
Fighting demons, but that don't mean anything
I got vocals from, above, so Imma beat the devil, yeah
I been struggling on my own
I just want my neck to glisten while my pinky froze
Imma DND my phone, just leave me 'lone
Trying to get up in my zone
(Yeah, ha, uh)
(Ha, uh, ha, uh)
(Ha, uh, ha, ha, uh)
I don't need no new friends
I'm with my OGs, they gon ride til the end
If you cross me once, I'm not gon trust you again
How you gon act right in front of my face, just like a friend
Make it make sense
I only get bills, man you only get cents
I don't trust you lil bro, you look like you sneak diss
You better come get your hoe, she smelling like some fish
Everybody want to come and go, ok it is what it is
Now they want to come for my throat, man they change up so quick
Imma just run it back up, got to stay on my sprint
Mama want me to go up, she got no doubts in her kid
My trust so messed up, it's so hard to let people in
Yeah
The lyrics of J.R.'s "What Is Reality" may seem confusing at first read but delve deeper and you will find a message about the struggles of dealing with the complexities of modern society. J.R. starts off by acknowledging that things are going well in his life but sometimes the state of the world can bring him down. He talks about the need to solve riddles, fix problems, and break trends but also mentions the many risks that come with this. J.R. then criticizes the current state of the world and the abundance of stupidity that seems to be spreading.
The chorus, "Reality is a sandwich that I did not order," is a metaphor for how the world has become something that J.R. did not expect or want. He feels helpless and out of control, as though he is stuck with a meal he did not ask for. He mentions Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign and how he is now living the flashbacks promised to him. He goes on to criticize the current political climate and offers his own ideas for change that he feels are not being heard.
The final verse brings in the philosophical aspect of the song, stating that there is no clear truth and that perception is what rules the roost. Half-truths and lies are accepted as facts, and despite efforts to catch them, there is a feeling that not enough people care about seeking the truth. In summary, "What Is Reality" is a commentary on the struggles of living in a world full of complexities, half-truths, and stupidity.
Line by Line Meaning
Things are pretty swell I should be happy as hell
Life is good and I should be happy, but sometimes events in the world can make me feel down.
And most of the time I am
Though there are moments of doubt, most of the time I am happy.
But sometimes the direction of world events
The world can be a depressing place at times.
Can bring down this human
These events can bring me down.
There are riddles to solve, problems to fix and trends to break
There are issues and challenges that need to be addressed in the world.
Minds to open, gaps to close and many many risks to take
In order to address these challenges, we need to be open-minded, take risks, and work to close gaps that divide us.
But when I see what passes for good judgment these days
However, it can be frustrating to see what passes for good judgment in our society.
I just get down
This can make me feel down and frustrated.
There's an epidemic of stupidity
There is a growing trend of ignorance and a lack of critical thinking skills in our society.
So watch out because its coming around
This trend is growing and we need to be aware of it.
Reality is a sandwich that I did not order
The world can be a difficult and challenging place that I did not sign up for.
Reality is a sandwich that I did not order
The world can be a difficult and challenging place that I did not sign up for.
Reality is a sandwich that I did not order
The world can be a difficult and challenging place that I did not sign up for.
Reality is a sandwich that I did not order
The world can be a difficult and challenging place that I did not sign up for.
I'm going to send it back, even if I have to stand in line
I will try to change the world and make it a better place, even if it means standing up to powerful forces and facing opposition.
Nancy promised me flashbacks back in "Just Say No"
A reference to Nancy Reagan's anti-drug campaign in the 1980s.
And now I'm living them full time
This could mean that there are more serious problems in the world than drug use or that the problems are more deeply rooted in society.
There's a Moonbeam here in California
Possibly a reference to the 1970s California counterculture movement.
And a Reality Star out in DC (if you can call him that)
A reference to Donald Trump, who was famous for his reality TV show before becoming president.
I've got of head full of ideas on changing our course But nobody's asking me
He has ideas on how to solve the problems in the world, but no one is listening to him.
Ask any Philosopher
Philosophers debate the nature of reality and what is real.
There's really no substantive truth
Philosophers argue that objective truth may be difficult to establish.
And in the henhouse of life Its perception that rules the roost
What we perceive to be true has a powerful impact on our lives.
Half-truths and boldface lies come in a deluge
There is a constant stream of misinformation in the world.
We try to catch it in a paper cup
We try to discern what is true and what is not with imperfect tools.
And the number of people who care to think Just doesn't seem to be enough
Too many people are content to accept the misinformation they are fed and do not think critically.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN ISBELL, JAMES MCNAIR, KAMERON MARLOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt H
If there was no such thing as tv, internet, would anyone seriously be able to tell there was a pandemic?
ATLbench
@Serpentine S the powers that be want you constantly afraid. Someone who is afraid is so much easier to control. Kind of like slave owners in the American south made the slaves so afraid to run away, they stayed on the plantation and continued to work. They made them afraid of the wild animals and afraid of getting caught by the law. Only the brave people fled.
Serpentine S
@ATLbench Yeah, maintaining normalcy as much as possible for the kids is a good thing. I hate to see all these kids in masks. I think it's ridiculous. I do it, but the kids, ah, let 'em be if they aren't around anyone vulnerable.
Whole foods isn't bad. I buy from all kinds of stores, pay cash all the time, no big deal, everyone takes it.
Serpentine S
@camlong89 Yeah, that's what I've been wondering. Anyone know about the homeless population? No masks, using drugs, drinking, fishing through garbage cans, eating out of the garbage. I haven't heard of them dropping like flies. In fact where I live, they are basically everywhere in the city, and expanding their population all the time, sadly.
Serpentine S
@ATLbench That's funny! I love that you did that. The fear is understandable, though, I thought the world kind of flipped out. I didn't freak at all because I don't have tv. Now, I am getting freaked because the fear is still so prevalent.
ralph sampson
@Christopher Greyson
Good point but, you didn't KNOW they were real until you saw for yourself. Come to think of it, I have seen some maps that are wrong. Even Google Maps gets it wrong on occasion.
My point is.....wait. What was my point?
Let's see...can't trust anything unless you can verify for yourself. Yea, that's it. I think.
DOUGLAS SIEVER
“Natural immunity is now the most politically incorrect thing since logic”. What a GREAT line, JP. I love your videos! Keep up the good work!
Justin Griffin
@Serpentine S the molecular biologist I spot to said it's a time delay shot...it doesn't stop...so it's just floating.around...he says it's not a vaccine... sunlight is vitD... Zinc Ivormectin if you can get it..... All ages from 24up were the casualties so far...all labeled covid but the families are not buying it...
Ivormectin should be available for livestock...here it's over the counter still...
We are In Tribulation.
Goodluck and godbless.
Serpentine S
@Justin Griffin Are they mostly elderly people, or sick and elderly that died? Everyone that got the vax I know is fine, so it's harder for me to "resist", getting it. Am thinking I need to find a doc to get some ivermectin, until then, am trying to prevent getting it as much as possible, masks, sanitizer, not touch my face (which is very hard to remember), etc.
Serpentine S
@Mehrshad Masaebi You mean "natural immunity"? Nah, please tell me this isn't true...