The track was produced by Hit-Boy, with assistance from Mike Dean and DJ Camper. In a July 2013 interview with Revolt Hit-Boy dissected the making of the beat.
Somewhereinamerica
JAY-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New blacks with new stacks
I already been the king
Retro act, I'm just bringing it back like Jordan Packs
New money, they looking down on me
Blue bloods they trying to clown on me
You can turn up your nose high society
Never gone turn down the homie
Straight cash I bought ya neighbor out
You should come to the housewarming
Come and see what your new neighbor 'bout
Yellow Lambo in the driveway
A buck thirty-five, I'm on the highway
Frank Sinatra on my Sonos
Loud as fuck, I did it my way
A million sold before the album dropped
White Lexus before I had a deal
Ask Bun B about me
This ain't no snap back, a nigga been trill
By the way, fuck your math
You ain't gotta count it my nigga I can add
1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 20 million
Oh, I'm so good at math
Might crash ya Internet
And I ain't even into that
When I was talking Instagram
Last thing you wanted was your picture snapped
Feds still lurking
They see I'm still putting work in
'Cause somewhere in America
Miley Cyrus is still twerkin'
Twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk
Twerk, Miley, Miley, twerk
Twerk
Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley, twerk
Twerk, yeah, ugh-huh
Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley
Only in America
The lyrics of Jay-Z's "Somewhereinamerica" talk about the rapper's success and wealth while also touching on themes of race and class. In the first stanza, Jay-Z acknowledges the old Jewish traditions and rules while also celebrating the new black money and success he has achieved. He compares himself to a retro act, just like bringing back Jordan brand sneakers. The second stanza speaks about his wealth and success being looked down upon by "blue bloods," people born into families of high society. However, he affirms that he won't turn down his homie, regardless of who begrudges his success.
Jay-Z boasts about his yellow Lamborghini and how fast he can go. He is the boss, who can buy his neighbors out and invite them over for a housewarming party to see how the new boss lives. He reveals his love for Frank Sinatra and how he enjoys listening to him loud. He brags about his wealth and sells more than a million records before his album drops. He contemplates how good he is in mathematics as he amounts 1, 2, 3, and 20 million. He mocks people who try to count his earnings and claims he doesn't care to crash the internet, even though he could. Finally, Jay-Z alludes to the sensational Miley Cyrus and her highly controversial dance style while asserting that regardless of his success, somewhere in America, things remain the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Shout out to old Jews and old rules
Acknowledging and paying respect to the history and traditions of the Jewish community
New blacks with new stacks
A new generation of successful black individuals with wealth and power
I already been the king
Jay-Z sees himself as an established and respected leader in the music industry
Retro act, I'm just bringing it back like Jordan Packs
Jay-Z is reviving a classic style or approach, similar to how Michael Jordan sneakers are still popular today
New money, they looking down on me
Despite his wealth and success, many wealthy people still judge him because he is new money
Blue bloods they trying to clown on me
Wealthy and influential families who consider themselves old money are mocking Jay-Z
You can turn up your nose high society
Jay-Z is unimpressed with the high-class socialites who look down upon him
Never gone turn down the homie
Jay-Z will never abandon or disrespect his friends and loyal fans
Knock knock I'm at your neighbor house
Jay-Z is implying that he is expanding his influence and wealth by buying property next to wealthy neighbors
Straight cash I bought ya neighbor out
Jay-Z uses his wealth and cash to purchase property from wealthy neighbors
You should come to the housewarming
Jay-Z is inviting his neighbors to come and experience his wealth and success
Come and see what your new neighbor 'bout
People should come and see for themselves exactly what Jay-Z is about, especially given his new wealth and success
Yellow Lambo in the driveway
Jay-Z has a flashy, expensive sports car parked in his driveway
A buck thirty-five, I'm on the highway
Jay-Z is driving fast on the highway at 135 miles per hour
Frank Sinatra on my Sonos
Jay-Z enjoys listening to classic music, such as Frank Sinatra, on his Sonos speaker system
Loud as fuck, I did it my way
Jay-Z is proud of his music and success, and is brazenly enjoying it his own way
A million sold before the album dropped
Jay-Z sold a million copies of his album before its official release
White Lexus before I had a deal
Jay-Z owned a white Lexus even before he became famous and signed a record deal
Ask Bun B about me
Jay-Z is suggesting that people ask fellow rapper Bun B about his reputation and credibility
This ain't no snap back, a nigga been trill
Jay-Z is not trying to follow a trend or be fake, he has always been genuine and real
By the way, fuck your math
Jay-Z doesn't care about other people's numbers or how much money they have, he only cares about his own success
You ain't gotta count it my nigga I can add
Jay-Z doesn't need someone else to verify his success, he knows how much he's earned
1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 20 million
Jay-Z has made a lot of money, in the millions range
Oh, I'm so good at math
Jay-Z is mocking those who are obsessed with counting and comparing numbers, suggesting it's not hard to add up big numbers
Might crash ya Internet
Jay-Z's popularity and influence is so great it might crash the internet if he goes viral
And I ain't even into that
Jay-Z isn't looking for internet fame or validation, he is content with his own success
When I was talking Instagram
Jay-Z is referring to a previous conversation in which he was discussing the social media app Instagram
Last thing you wanted was your picture snapped
Jay-Z is suggesting that people don't want to be photographed or exposed on Instagram
Feds still lurking
Although Jay-Z is successful, the government is still keeping a close eye on him and his activities
They see I'm still putting work in
Jay-Z is still working hard and hustling despite his wealth and success
'Cause somewhere in America
Jay-Z is relating his own success to that of modern America
Miley Cyrus is still twerkin'
Even popular celebrities and brands like Miley Cyrus are taking part in modern cultural trends such as twerking
Twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk
Repeating the word twerk, emphasizing its popularity and cultural significance
Twerk, Miley, Miley, twerk
Specifically referencing Miley Cyrus and her role in popularizing twerking
Twerk
Declaring the popularity of twerking
Twerk, yeah, ugh-huh
Repeating the word twerk with vocal inflections
Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley
Emphasizing the relationship between twerking and Miley Cyrus
Only in America
Suggesting that American culture allows for the rise of unique and sometimes controversial trends, such as twerking, that capture the world's attention
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Guitar Watson, Chauncey A. Hollis, Shawn C. Carter, Darhyl Jr. Camper, Michael G. Dean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LionTheSpaniard
Intro]
See what you made me do?
[Verse]
Shout out to old Jews and old rules
New blacks with new stacks
I already been the king
Retro act, I'm just bringing it back like Jordan Packs
New money, they looking down on me
Blue bloods they trying to clown on me
You can turn up your nose high society
Never gone turn down the homie
Knock knock I'm at your neighbor house
Straight cash I bought ya neighbor out
You should come to the housewarming
Come and see what your new neighbor 'bout (SKIRRRRR!)
Yellow Lambo in the driveway
A buck thirty-five, I'm on the highway
Frank Sinatra on my Sonos
Loud as fuck, I did it my way
A million sold before the album dropped
White Lexus before I had a deal
Ask Bun B about me
This ain't no snap back, a nigga been trill
By the way, fuck your mag
You ain't gotta count it my nigga I can add
1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 20 million
Oh, I'm so good at math
Might crash ya Internet
And I ain't even into that
When I was talking Instagram
Last thing you wanted was your picture snapped
Feds still lurking
They see I'm still putting work in
Cause somewhere in America
Miley Cyrus is still twerkin'
[Outro]
Twerk, twerk (Miley, Miley)
Only in America
@TheMack-km5lz
That piano and that bass line!🔥
@xliennature
💎
@TheMack-km5lz
@@xliennature 🔥🔥🔥
@squiliamfancyson3702
With the glorious strings at the end added! Masterpiece!
@TheMack-km5lz
@@squiliamfancyson3702 yes indeed🏆
@laneschwartz7919
Right on !!!!!!
@BunnyJosuke
This is honestly one of my favorites of the album. It needs more views. The piano ties in well with it.
@DonovanLongdlong314
Love it classic
@BunnyJosuke
Indeed. c:
@DonovanLongdlong314
classic