Lyrically speaking, most of the album mirrors the gritty environment that raised J. L. J, its content both hard and combative in nature. "Droppin Hataz" finds him firing off lines like "It's time to take a nap son (the kind you don't come back from)". TRED80E saves his darkest track for this song, incorporating a sinister piano line and bass thumps that creep up on you from behind. He even takes time to spit the second verse, the type of verbal pistol whipping that gangster dreams are made of. "Always Bumpin" continues the agressive assault on those that are all talk and no action while "We Got Da Heater" is equally as ominous in regards to vocal delivery.
However, life reflections are intertwined with these machismo moments. "Don't Fall Short" is the voice of reason in the midst of real life drama. Over a poignant string-plucked track produced by Los, J. L. J tells tales of Murphy's Law running rampant, but offers encouragement to stay on the straight and narrow. The album's motivational title track has him sounding like the career coach of H-Town, refusing to see his people stay on the street corners for the rest of their lives. "Live Life To The Fullest" remains the most moving selection on the album with J. L. J showing love to his brother caught up in the penal system and the eternal memory and wisdom of his mother. E-LETE co-founder 'D' Sheezy provides the hook ("We gotta be here for our loved ones and our children") while TRED80E ably provides a sparkling and bittersweet instrumental.
A touch of R&B influences the production behind "Can't Leave You Alone," namely the cloud of sustained keys and the light programming of digitized percussion. J. L. J as devoted lover appears ready to take a walk down the aisle, but that notion is put to rest two songs later with "Tap That". Perhaps a slower, down south equivalent to Sir Mixx-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back", the song is an unapologetic ode to butts and the bigger, the better. Backsides will certainly be in motion to "Party On," it's mid-tempo beat featuring punchy synth-generated horns and hand claps. "Down South" is a monster of a closing track and could catch on well beyond the Texas border. Producer Crumz gets crunk behind the boards and comes up big working a harpischord pattern through a stuttering drum track.
Stay Focused makes for a debut album that Houston can stand behind. It shows the diversity in lyrical content that J. L. J is able to maintain. At the same time, a good producer has been known to either bring out the best in a rapper or get the audience on their side immediately through stellar production. TRED80E does both of those things for J. L. J, and hopefully releases will contain more work from this fruitful partnership.
Review by Jason Randall Smith
Skit
J. L. J Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen it on your face
Tells me more than any worn out old phase
So now we'll go separate ways
Never again we two
Never again, nothin' I can do
In the mirror of your eyes, my love, my life
I can see it all so clearly
(See it all so clearly)
Answer me sincerely
(Answer me sincerely)
Was it a dream, a lie?
Like reflections of your mind, my love, my life
Are the words you try to find, my love, my life
But I know I don't possess you
So go away, God bless you
You are still my love and my life
Still my one and only
I've watched you look away
Tell me, is it really so hard to say?
Oh, this has been my longest day
Sitting here close to you
Knowing that maybe tonight we're through
Like an image passin' by, my love, my life
In the mirror of your eyes, my love, my life
I can see it all so clearly
(See it all so clearly)
Answer me sincerely
(Answer me sincerely)
Was it a dream, a lie?
Like reflections of your mind, my love, my life
Are the words you try to find, my love, my life
But I know I don't possess you
So go away, God bless you
You are still my love and my life
Yes, I know I don't possess you
So go away, God bless you
You are still my love and my life
Still my one and only
The lyrics of J. L. J's song Skit tell a story of heartbreak and resignation. The singer is lamenting the end of a love affair that has clearly gone sour. From the opening lines, where the singer says "I've seen it on your face, tells me more than any worn out old phase," we know that this is a relationship that has been in trouble for some time. The singer is resigned to the fact that they must part ways, saying "Never again we two, never again, nothin' I can do." The pain of this realization is clear, and the singer speaks of the end of the relationship as if it were the passing of a dream or mirage.
The chorus of the song is bittersweet, with the singer acknowledging that the other person is still their "love and life." They speak of the other person possessing a reflection of their mind, and searching for the right words to express their feelings, but ultimately come to the conclusion that they can never possess the other person. The singer knows that they must let go, saying "So go away, God bless you, you are still my love and my life, yes I know I don't possess you."
Overall, the song Skit is a heartbreaking but beautiful reflection on the pain of lost love, the inevitability of change and the importance of letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen it on your face
I can tell by your facial expression
Tells me more than any worn out old phase
You're conveying more than what you would usually say
So now we'll go separate ways
We're ending our relationship
Never again we two
We won't be together again
Never again, nothin' I can do
There's no way to change this outcome
Like an image passin' by, my love, my life
Our time together feels like a fleeting memory
In the mirror of your eyes, my love, my life
I can see my past reflected in your eyes
I can see it all so clearly
My memories are vivid
(See it all so clearly)
Answer me sincerely
Tell me honestly
(Answer me sincerely)
Was it a dream, a lie?
Did our relationship mean anything to you?
Like reflections of your mind, my love, my life
Your thoughts mirror my own
Are the words you try to find, my love, my life
You're struggling to find the right words
But I know I don't possess you
I understand that I can't control you
So go away, God bless you
I'm letting you go
You are still my love and my life
You'll always be a significant part of my life
Yes, I know I don't possess you
I accept that you're independent
So go away, God bless you
I'm wishing you well
You are still my love and my life
You'll always be important to me
Still my one and only
You're the only one for me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEONGELO HOLMES, ERIC JACKSON, MICHAEL ANTOINE CROOMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eda aDıYaMaN
I love that "EEEGH" voice Bart does when he is playing Iggy
ameena
Ik Ik
Shaki Msp
same :D
mrss_foster
+Eda aDıYaMaN I literally just wanted to write that
Eda aDıYaMaN
+Alice Del Rey its funny and so annoyingly satisfying at the same time
Osman Ferrufino
+Alice Del Rey.
Génesis Rodríguez
The saddest things its that Bart has more booty than me, wow.
KarmaWolf Gatcha
Gene Gail Edits SAME XD
koenhaps
😂😂😂😂😂
ariana
xD