When The Money Goes
JAY-Z Lyrics


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When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh
When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh

When the top back, I know I got that
But when I'm locked up
Shit, Guru, let me get that again

When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh
When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh

I got it now
When my top back, I know I got that
But when I'm locked up, and I'm not back
And I collect call, will she accept that?
Will she stay down, through my setbacks?
Through my downfalls, and my downpours
When them FBI boys is coming down for us
I know you ride with a
Nigga through the Gucci store
All through Prada, but what if I had nada?
Would the babe even bother if
The block got hotter?
In the never-ending game that pit's
The cops versus robbers? Am I your Clyde
Or are you just along for the ride?
When I'm blasting out the window
Will you grab the wheel and drive?

When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh
When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh

When I fall off, and the drought hit's
And it knocks me, out new outfit's
And the charm you got gotta hit the pawn shop
And you feel like crying
But be strong and stop
It was all good just a week ago
Now I'm wearing the same clothes
A week in a row trying to scratch back
Would she take a little check
From her little job like
"Nigga, you can have that"
You have belief in me
Or would you beef with me?
Is the good life the only
Thing you needed from me?
Would she roll out? Is she so out
When the stoves out? Or will she hold out?

When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh
When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh

And your friends know what Hov get it in for
But let's just say that I didn't ride Benzo
Would you say, "Girl
Why you still with him for?"
And if so, babe, why you around them hoes?
All they see is paper, not potential
And they don't have a nigga's
Back when he's in limbo
And I ain't asking you to do
A life bid with me
I don't want you to die for me, baby
Live with me
I'm just saying, when the going gets rough
Don't forget all the shine at the
Time I was showing up
Show me the same love you
Showed me when blowing up
You told me it was Roc for life
Then throw it up

When the money goes, will the honey stay?
When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh
When the money goes, will the honey stay?




When the gray skies replace the sunny days?
Hey, hey hey hey hey hey hey uh

Overall Meaning

In the song "When The Money Goes," Jay-Z contemplates the loyalty of his partner when the money is no longer flowing. The chorus repeats the question, "When the money goes, will the honeys stay? When the grey skies replace the sunny days." Jay-Z acknowledges that his fame and wealth have brought him a certain lifestyle, but he wonders if he will still have the support of his partner if his fortune fades. He questions whether she will stick with him through his setbacks, downfalls, and legal troubles. He also considers how his partner's friends might influence her loyalty and whether she values his potential or just his money. Overall, the song reflects on the fickleness of relationships when financial stability is uncertain.


Line by Line Meaning

When the money goes, will the honeys stay?
Asks whether a woman would stay with him when he has no money.


When the grey skies replace the sunny days Hey, hey, hey
Wonders if she will stand by him during tough times.


When my top back, I know I got that But when I'm locked up, and I'm not back And I collect call, will she accept that?
When he's free and able to provide for her, she stays. When he's locked up and can't provide, will she still accept his calls?


Will she stay down, through my setbacks? Through my downfalls, and my downpours
Will she support him during tough times?


I know you riding with a nigga through the Gucci store All through Prada, but what if I had nada? Would the babe even bother if the block got hotter?
He knows she's with him during times when he's wealthy, but wonders if she will still be there when he's broke.


When I fall off, and the drought hits And it knocks me, out new outfits And the charm you got gotta hit the pawn shop And you feel like crying, but be strong and stop
If he loses his money and she has to sell her possessions to help him out, will she still be strong for him?


It was all good just a week ago Now I'm wearing the same clothes a week in a row
Reflects on a time when he had money and now he can't even afford new clothes.


Would she take a little check from her little job like, "Nigga, you can have that"
Asks if she would be willing to contribute financially during tough times.


And if so, babe, why you around them hoes? All they see is paper, not potential
Questions her loyalty if she is only interested in him for his money.


Don't forget all the shines at the time I was showing up Show me the same love you showed me when blowing up
Asks her to remember how supportive she was when he was successful and hopes she will continue to show that love when he is struggling.


When the money goes, will the honeys stay? When the grey skies replace the sunny days Hey, hey, hey
Reiterates the main question of the song.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Augustus Muteb

This song out me in a great mood today

Johnny Frank

This was cut from American Gangster in 2007. As good as this was it didn't make the album. Just shows Jay is a perfectionist.

S LIKE SERENA

It should’ve still put it on there 😭😭

1s__Bundy

If American gangster came out today this track woulda been put on the “deluxe” version lol

ox pro

That’s crazy! I didn’t know that…I’ve always loved this song and thought everything he said on every verse was insane and relatable..but where did u hear about this supposed to be on American gangster? Im not saying u making the shit up or nothing I jus wanna know where u found that info at lol real talk

Clear as Day

Still bitter this never got an official release

Philip Aitken

​@Clear as DayI just wonder how many unreleased burner tracks Hova has like this

OleMiss140

he killed it man!!!!

Jasmine Pope

Still the best song

jparker7860

jay killed it

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