Show Me Something
J. Cole Lyrics

Yea, yea, yea, yea, uh uh
Introductory sounds without any direct meaning

Yea, yea, yea, uh!
More introductory sounds without any direct meaning

What am I here for?
Questioning the purpose of his existence

I'm a man so I cannot let them tears fall?
Trying to be tough and not show emotions

But understand tryna get my head clear ya'll
Trying to clear his mind

This shit is on my mind
Something is weighing heavily on his mind

Asking for the lord to show me all my signs
Seeking guidance from God

Show me something, uh
Asking for a sign or answer from God

Cause I'm trynna find something, uh
Searching for something meaningful

I'm lost can you show me something, uh
Feeling lost and looking for direction

I'm lost can you show me something, yeah
Reiterating the feeling of being lost and seeking guidance

I sit and reminisce on them n****s no longer here (Rest in peace)
Reflecting on deceased friends and acquaintances

And how I used to hit the mall and ya'll was always there (Yeah)
Remembering good times spent with friends

I sit and think how I didn't grow up with my father there (Yeah)
Reflecting on a difficult childhood without a father figure

No need to to cry cause it only made me stronger yea (Uh huh)
Acknowledging that tough experiences made him stronger

I watch my brother get in trouble with the law and yea (Uh)
Seeing a sibling struggle with legal issues

That shit cut me like I was sitting in a barber chair (Uh)
The emotional pain felt like a physical wound

Cause I don't wanna see them locked up in them bars in there (Yeah yeah)
Hoping to prevent loved ones from going to jail

And I don't wanna see him stretched out in a coffin yea (Uh)
Wishing to avoid the tragedy of a loved one's death

I'm wishing I can move my momma out so far from here (So far from here)
Desiring to improve his mother's living situation

I know that she deserve much better and she worked hard as hell (She worked hard as hell)
Acknowledging his mother's hard work and deserving a better life

That's why you never see me settle cause they want us here (They want us here n****)
Refusing to accept a life of struggle and oppression

I'm trynna side step the devil but he heartless yea (He heartless)
Trying to avoid temptations and negative influences

But just know that I'm a rebel and yo it's almost here (It's almost here)
Identifying as a rebellious figure and suggesting change is near

I'm talking bout the revolution I am Paul Revere (I am Paul Revere, yeah)
Comparing himself to the infamous American revolutionary

So dry your eyes, momma please you can pause them tears (Pause them tears)
Encouraging his mother to stop crying and have hope

Cause I promise I'm gon get us outta here (I'm gon get us outta here)
Making a promise to better their situation

I'm gonna get us outta here
Reiterating the promise to improve their lives

Yeah
Expression of agreement or affirmation

I swear I'm praying for my n****s when I say grace (Yeah)
Praying for the safety and well-being of his friends

I knoe them n****s don't care who they hit they spray straight (Uh)
Acknowledging the reckless behavior of some people

But lord please protect my family cause if they graze (Nah)
Asking for divine protection of family from harm

N****s is loading up that ammi and them A-K's (Uh huh)
Describing weapons being loaded by dangerous people

I know it's wrong and that revenge is all in yo' hands (Yeah)
Recognizing that revenge is not the answer and leaving it in God's hands

But last night I heard they robbed and killed a old man (Damn)
Expressing shock and disgust at a violent crime

Now if they cold enough to take a life that's innocent (Uh huh)
Reflecting on the cold-hearted nature of some people

I know that they could give a fuck whether I live and shit (Uh huh)
Feeling like his own safety doesn't matter to some dangerous individuals

And so I'm asking you if you can hold me down lord (Please)
Asking for divine protection and guidance

Be my umbrella-ella-ella in this down pour (Uh huh)
Asking for protection during difficult times

I knoe you never-ever-ever let me drown or (Nah)
Believing that God will never let him fail

Won't let that devil-evil-evil win this round naw (Never)
Believing that good will triumph over evil

And though I stray for you, you know that my heart is good (Yeah)
Confessing that he may make mistakes but his intentions are good

And I know I ain't exactly living how I probly should (Haha)
Admitting that he has room for improvement

And I'm a try to act better like it's hollywood (Hollywood)
Aspiring to improve himself like a fictional Hollywood character

N****s congratulate me I just tell 'em god is good
Acknowledging accomplishments but giving credit to God

(I just tell 'em God is good)
Reiterating his acknowledgement of God

Uh, yea my n****s drug dealing in the trap
Acknowledging that some of his friends are involved in illegal activities

I'm tellin you wake up n****a it's a trap, you set up
Warning friends of the dangers of their lifestyle choices

And to them young mothers fed up, just keep your head up
Encouraging struggling mothers to stay strong

Don't let up, you fall you get up
Encouraging resilience and perseverance

You make your bed up that you sleep in
Taking responsibility for one's life choices

Fake rappers ain't practicing what they preaching (Nah)
Calling out fake musicians who do not live their lyrics

They tell you hit the trap while they relaxing on the beach and
Criticizing musicians who promote illegal activity while living luxuriously

I'm here to spit the facts, a n**** backflipped off the deep end
Promising to tell the truth and exposing a dangerous situation

And smell this shit for what it is
Encouraging people to acknowledge reality

Not Kells but I love the kids (But I love the kids)
Comparing himself to R&B singer R. Kelly while distancing himself from Kelly's controversies

And so I make the song to let 'em know that they important (Yeah)
Creating music to empower and uplift young listeners

Cause them racist teachers could'nt give a fuck bout what they score is (Nope)
Highlighting educational inequalities and unfair treatment by teachers

So they try to get them hands up on them Grants like Horace
Referencing the education grant program

Now they slanging 'for you know it cops is knocking they got warrants, damn!
Describing the consequences of illegal activity

Uh, and now he running for it, damn! (Yeah)
Depicting a person running from the police

Yea and now the cops is running for him damn! (Yeah)
Showing the intensity of the chase

And now he finally slowing down
The person being chased is getting tired

Hands behind your head, lay down on the ground, n****a uh
Police taking control of a suspect and making an arrest