The song takes a serious tone throughout and it characterized by the differences of Jay-Z and a woman (who many assumed to be wife Beyoncé, who provides uncredited vocals on the hook). The juxtaposition of this back-and-forth style of wordplay to describe the two makes the song a standout in the album.
Venus vs. Mars
JAY-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shawty is a Sidekick
She used to have a man
I used to have a side chick
Shawty got wind I had to blow the chick off
Got rid of him they both took the shit hard
Shawty played the piano me I play the white keys
Shawty from the south, oh, I think she like me
Screaming hit 'em up, I'm screaming who shot ya
I'm on that red wine, shawty like white
Same shit different toilet
We both getting nice
Me I'm from the apple which means I'm the Mac
She's a P-C, she lives in my lap
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Venus versus Mars
Whether Black or white we both like Mike
We both like Jordan's, we both feels Knight's
When I finish breakfast, shawty's out for lunch
Yeah we both eating its better than brunch
Shawty like Pepsi, me I'm da Coke Man
Body like a coke bottle, I crush her like a Coke can
Started at the window, then the bedroom wall
The Ying to my Yang, I skeet skeet off
Then I salt and pepper back, shawty like the front
The Bonnie to my Clyde
Both riding shotgun,
Both covered in gold like C3PO
James and Florida Evans let the good times roll
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Venus versus Mars
Thought Shawty was the truth, found out she was a cheater
We were supposed to takeover, I caught her bumping Ether
I thought shawty like Mike, found out she like Prince
Thought she was Adrian, it's been Rocky ever since
My dollars was down, she left me for some Euro's
Took my whole flavor, I call her Coke zero
We were Co-M-V-P's like Kobe and Shaq,
Left me for the Heat
We were winning back to back
Said I partied too much, shawty got fed up
Shawty got Britney shaved her whole head up
We used to make out, kissing each others face off
Fell for the ponzi scheme, damn shawty just Made-off
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Da, Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
But Daddy go hard
Shawty get it in
Venus versus Mars
In "Venus vs. Mars," Jay-Z contrasts and compares the differences between men and women in relationships. He begins by noting that he uses a Blackberry Bold while his partner uses a Sidekick. The song then goes on to describe their dynamic; how her piano playing complements his ability to play white keys, and how they both enjoy different beverages (red vs. white wine, Coke vs. Pepsi). He also notes how they both like Michael Jordan and Nike.
However, things start to sour when he discovers that she is cheating on him with someone who is not worth his time (caught "bumping Ether"), and things only get worse from there. Despite the ups and downs of their relationship, the chorus repeats the refrain that "Daddy goes hard."
The song seems to suggest that while men and women may have different interests and personalities, they are able to come together in a relationship, but they also have the capacity to hurt one another. Ultimately, however, Jay-Z seems to imply that he is willing to put in the work required to maintain and strengthen the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Hov's a Blackberry Bold
Jay-Z is confident and assertive, like the Blackberry Bold phone
Shawty is a Sidekick
Jay-Z's love interest, or 'shawty,' is supportive and goes along with him, like a Sidekick phone
She used to have a man
Jay-Z's love interest had a previous relationship before being with him
I used to have a side chick
Jay-Z had a previous fling or 'side chick' before being with his current love interest
Shawty got wind I had to blow the chick off
Jay-Z's love interest found out about his previous fling and he had to end it
Got rid of him they both took the shit hard
Ending the previous fling was difficult for both Jay-Z and his former fling
Shawty played the piano me I play the white keys
Jay-Z and his love interest each have their own talents and strengths
Shawty from the south, oh, I think she like me
Jay-Z is attracted to his love interest who is from the south and he thinks she likes him too
Shawty like Pac, me Big Poppa
Jay-Z's love interest likes Tupac, while Jay-Z prefers Notorious B.I.G. (Big Poppa)
Screaming hit 'em up, I'm screaming who shot ya
Jay-Z and his love interest have different preferences when it comes to rap music
I'm on that red wine, shawty like white
Jay-Z likes red wine while his love interest prefers white wine
Same shit different toilet
Jay-Z recognizes that despite their differences, they are essentially the same
We both getting nice
Jay-Z and his love interest are both having a good time
Me I'm from the apple which means I'm the Mac
Jay-Z is from New York City ('the Big Apple') and implies that he is the best or the top dog, like a Mac computer
She's a P-C, she lives in my lap
Jay-Z's love interest is more laid back or passive, like a PC computer, while he is dominant or 'lives' in control
Whether Black or white we both like Mike
Jay-Z and his love interest both like the basketball player Michael Jordan, regardless of their skin color
We both like Jordan's, we both feels Knight's
Jay-Z and his love interest both appreciate Nike brand shoes and the company's founder, Phil Knight
When I finish breakfast, shawty's out for lunch
Jay-Z is productive and efficient, while his love interest is more leisurely and carefree
Yeah we both eating its better than brunch
Despite their differences, they are both enjoying their time together
Shawty like Pepsi, me I'm da Coke Man
Jay-Z's love interest prefers Pepsi while he prefers Coca-Cola
Body like a coke bottle, I crush her like a Coke can
Jay-Z finds his love interest's body attractive and enjoys being with her
Started at the window, then the bedroom wall
Jay-Z and his love interest had sexual encounters in different places
The Ying to my Yang, I skeet skeet off
Jay-Z and his love interest complement each other, and he is able to achieve sexual satisfaction with her
Then I salt and pepper back, shawty like the front
Jay-Z and his love interest have different preferences when it comes to sex
The Bonnie to my Clyde
Jay-Z and his love interest are like partners in crime, like Bonnie and Clyde
Both riding shotgun
Jay-Z and his love interest are both equal partners
Both covered in gold like C3PO
Jay-Z and his love interest are both successful and wealthy, like the character C3PO from Star Wars
James and Florida Evans let the good times roll
Jay-Z is referencing characters from the TV show Good Times, implying that he and his love interest are happy and enjoying life
Thought Shawty was the truth, found out she was a cheater
Jay-Z thought his love interest was honest and true, but he found out she was cheating on him
We were supposed to takeover, I caught her bumping Ether
Jay-Z and his love interest were supposed to be successful and dominate their industry, but he found out she was supporting one of his rivals (Nas, who had a song called 'Ether')
I thought shawty like Mike, found out she like Prince
Jay-Z thought his love interest had certain preferences, but he found out she liked different things
Thought she was Adrian, it's been Rocky ever since
Jay-Z thought his relationship with his love interest was like the movie Rocky, where the main characters overcome obstacles together, but it's been a struggle
My dollars was down, she left me for some Euro's
Jay-Z wasn't making as much money, and his love interest left him for someone who did (Euro currency)
Took my whole flavor, I call her Coke zero
Jay-Z believes his love interest took away his unique identity or 'flavor,' leaving him with nothing (Coke zero has no calories, sugar, or carbs)
We were Co-M-V-P's like Kobe and Shaq
Jay-Z and his love interest were both equally successful and dominant, like the basketball players Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal when they played together on the same team
Left me for the Heat
Jay-Z's love interest left him to be with someone more successful or popular (Miami Heat basketball team)
We were winning back to back
Jay-Z and his love interest were successful and winning at one point
Said I partied too much, shawty got fed up
Jay-Z's love interest was unhappy with him partying so much
Shawty got Britney shaved her whole head up
Jay-Z's love interest had a breakdown like Britney Spears, shaving her head in the process
We used to make out, kissing each others face off
Jay-Z and his love interest had a romantic and passionate relationship
Fell for the ponzi scheme, damn shawty just Made-off
Jay-Z believed in a fraudulent investment scheme (like a Ponzi scheme) and lost money, realizing too late that his love interest was the one behind it (like Bernie Madoff)
Shawty get it in
Jay-Z's love interest is very sexually active
But Daddy go hard
Jay-Z is also very sexually active and dominant in these encounters
Venus versus Mars
Jay-Z is highlighting the differences between men and women in relationships, which can cause conflict or tension
Lyrics © ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Timothy Z. Mosley, Shawn C Carter, Jerome Harmon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Starpaw
on Empire State of Mind
iv been before to that same spot