Can I
Jay-Z/Blackstreet Lyrics


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Yeah, yeah Roc-A-Fella
We invite you to, something epic y'all know?
Where we hustle out of a sense of, hopelessness
Sort of a desperation
Through that desperation, we 'come addicted
Sorta like the fiends we accustomed to serving
But we feel we have nothing to lose
So we offer you, well, we offer our lives (right)
What do you bring to the table?

While I'm watching every nigga watching me closely
My shit is butter for the bread they wanna toast me
I keep my head, both of them where they supposed to be
Hoes'll get you sidetracked then clap from close feet
I don't sleep, I'm tired, I feel wired like Codeine, these days
A brother gotta admire from four fiends away
My pain wish it was quick to see, from selling 'Caine
'Til brains was fried to a fricassee, can't lie
At the time it never bothered me, at the bar
Getting my thug on properly, my squad and me
Lack of respect for authority, laughing hard
Happy to be escaping poverty, however brief
I know this game got valleys and peaks, expectation
For dips, four precipitation we stack chips, hardly
The youth I used to be, soon to see a mill'in
No more, Big Willie my game has grown prefer you call me William
Illin' for revenues, Rayful Edmonds like
Channel 7 news, 'round seven jewels, hand getting the mic
Forgetting all I ever knew, convenient amnesia
I suggest you call my lawyer, I know the procedure
Lock my body, can't trap my mind, easily
Explain why we adapt to crime
I'd rather die enormous than live dormant that's how we on it
Live at the main event, I bet a trip to Maui on it
Presidential suites my residential for the weekend
Confidentially speaking in codes since I sense you peeking
The INXS rental, don't be fooled my game is mental
We both out of town dog, what you trying to get into?
Viva, Las Vegas, see ya, later at the crap tables
Meet me by the one that starts a G up
This way no fraud Willie's present gambling they re-up
And we can have a pleasant time, sipping margaritas

Yeah, can I live?
Can I live?

My mind is infested, with sick thoughts that circle
Like a Lexus, if driven wrong it's sure to hurt you
Dual level like duplexes, in unity, my crew and me
Commit atrocities like we got immunity
You guessed it, manifest it in tangible goods
Platinum Rolexed it, we don't lease
We buy the whole car, as you should
My confederation, dead a nation, explode!
On detonation, overload the mind of a said patient
When it balls to steam, it comes to it
We all fiends gotta do it, even righteous minds go through this
True this, the streets school us to spend our money foolish
Bond with jewelers and, watch for intruders
I stepped it up another level, meditated like a Buddhist
Recruited lieutenants with ludicrous, dreams of
Getting cream let's do this, it gets tedious
So I keep one eye open like, C-B-S, ya see me
Stressed right? Can I live?

Can I live?
Can I live?




Can I live?
Roc-A-Fella y'all

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jay-Z/Blackstreet's song "Can I" depict the inner conflict and pain of being in love with someone who has broken their trust. The singer is torn apart by the fact that he gave his trust to this person, only to have them take him for granted and play games on him. Despite all the hurt he's been through because of this person, he can't seem to let go of his love for them. The chorus repeats the phrase "I can't get you out of my mind" as if to symbolize the torment the singer is going through. He recognizes that the love he has for this person is unique and hard to find, and he doesn't want anyone else but them.


The second verse of the song introduces the element of jealousy and betrayal, as the singer accuses his lover's friend of "playa hating" on her. He also admits to having been with another woman but maintains that she meant nothing to him. The singer is frustrated with his current situation and desperately wants to start over with his lover, promising to make things better this time.


Overall, the lyrics of the song "Can I" speak to the universal theme of love and heartbreak. The song's soulful melody and heartfelt message resonated with audiences and launched it to the top of the charts across the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe love what can I do you're killing the trust that I gave to you and took me for granted
My love, despite my efforts to trust you, you have taken me for granted and betrayed my trust.


so sad to see you're running around town playing games on me every day and night
It pains me deeply to observe that you are playing games with me, incessantly, all day and night.


I'm thinking of you call me a fool just so confused after all that I been through
Although I am deeply in love with you, I am conflicted and my thoughts towards you fluctuate, leaving me feeling disoriented and foolish.


I'm still in love with you and I can't
Despite everything that has happened, I still am deeply in love with you and cannot stop feeling this way.


I can't get you out of my mind, (just can't get you out of my mind)
My love for you is inescapable; I cannot get you out of my mind, no matter how hard I try.


your love is one of a kind, (your love is so hard to find) you've givin so much of yourself (don't want nobody else baby, no) I swear don't want nobody else
Your love is unique and hard to come by, and you have given so much of yourself to me; I do not desire anyone else, I swear it.


Baby girl, what could I do, I told you once before your girl playa hatin on you, she played me close once to many times, I had to put it on her, she was so darn fine
My love, I had to confront your friend who was trying to cause issues between us; she had approached me multiple times and I eventually had to take a stand, despite her beauty.


I don't know what she told you, ut I bounced upon a love one time, i took het to my house, laid her on my couch, standing afraid, and threw her a$$ out
I am unsure what your friend told you about me, but know that I had slept with someone after we broke up, but it meant nothing; I brought her to my house, and then angrily threw her out.


(So what about the girl in the 64) she didn't mean a darn thang to me baby, she needed a ride from the jam and being the man that I am I said you can
The girl in the car meant nothing to me; she just needed a ride, and I offered to give her one because I am a gentleman.


(And what about the girl in the drop top, with the lollypop at the light by the bus stop) you must have been fooled then to think and the kid was siked, girl I feel my pain when I go to bed at night, girl I,
The girl in the convertible with the lollipop did not trick me; I feel pain at night when I think about the pain our relationship has caused me.


darn it's been a long time I've found someone since the time you left me, up until this moment I just couldn't get you off of my mind, I know if we can start all over again, I know things won't be the same (can't get you off of my mind) I'll make it better, I swear, I swear
It has been a long time since we broke up and I haven't found anyone since then. I can't stop thinking about you, and I believe that if we try again, things will not be the same, but I promise to make it better.


(chorus) repeat 2x's
Repeating the chorus two more times


I ei, I ei I ei, I ei until fade
Continuing to vocalize the sound 'I ei' until the song fades out




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Irving Lorenzo, Hal David, Burt F Bacharach, Shawn Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@LATIGRE

"[Intro: Jay-Z]
Uh-uhh-uh, ge-ge-geyeah

[Chorus: Blackstreet and (Jay-Z)]
You belong to the city (uh-uhh-uh, what what)
You belong to the night (uh-uhh-uh, ge-ge-geyeah)
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night

[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
What the deal playboy, just rest your soul
I be holding it down yo, still love the dough
Got these ladies on the cock now you know how we go
Got the whole world on lock down you know how we flow
Don't worry about Brooklyn, I continue to flame
Therefore a world with amnesia won't forget your name
You held it down long enough, let me take those reigns
And just like your spirit the Commission remains
Niggas can cross the T's and, dots the I's
Now that I got too popular to cop them pies
I'm taking this rap shit serious, to my demise
Jay shit's like cake mix, watch me rise
Basics in the basement, wasted
Asking my dog for advice so when he can't say shit
My hatred is, fueled just give me a sign
And I let the world know that the city is mine, what?

[Chorus: Blackstreet and (Jay-Z)]
You belong to the city (the city is mine, what-what-what)
You belong to the night (ge-ge-geyeah, uh-uhh-uh, pa-pau)
In the river of darkness
He's a man of the night (the city is mine, that's right...)

[Verse 2: Jay-Z]
Y'all wanna know how I flow just seek and you find
I'm like a brain in the voice box, I speak my mind
About to redefine rap mami, either I'm
The illest nigga doing it or these niggas is losing it
I read a article that said I was ruining shit
But every time I look, I'm moving units in quick
So I'ma hit y'all, with these last two and split
And leave niggas with nothing but my influences-es
Students of Jigga, I ain't mad yeah, bite my shit
Sell half of what I sell because it's not quite my shit
I'm the type to buy a Rollie and just ice my shit
On the spot, fuck coming back twice to shit
How real is that? My floss game, still intact
Boss game, you lame dudes can't feel that
Like the first dude to cop the 850 in '89
And drove it up to 55th, the city is mine, what?

[Chorus: Blackstreet and (Jay-Z)]
You belong to the city (the city is mine)
You belong to the night (yeah, uhh, the city is mine)
In the river of darkness (pa-pause, feel me)
He's a man of the night (yeah, yeah, bounce, bounce)

[Verse 3: Jay-Z]
I snatch your girl 'cause your arm ain't strong enough
Plus y'all don't stay in the studio long enough
I make hits while y'all stay hating and take bricks
Had it locked 'til I came in the club, Take 6
Got your chick 'cause you swore she was innocent
Got her a Chinese manicure, hair done by Dominicans, all for what
So I could be in a dark corner, all in her butt
At the bar alchoholing her up
I represent the lifestyle of those who thirst cream
A buck fifty a shot, Louis the Thirteenth
Jay-Z, Roc-A-Fella yo, know the name
I ain't a player, get it right, I'm controlling the game
From now until they blow holes in my frame
I'ma stand firm, holding my aim, feel me?
I'm the focal, point like Biggie in his prime
On the low though - shhhhh, the city is mine!

[Chorus: Blackstreet and (Jay-Z)]
You belong to the city (uh-huh, yeah, the city is mine)
You belong to the night (ah ah, the city is mine)
In the river of darkness (feel me, the city is mine)
He's the man of the night (the city is mine, is mine, is mine, is mine)
You belong to the city
You belong to the night
In the river of darkness
He's the man of the night

[Outro: Blackstreet]
You belong
You belong
In the river of darkness
He's the man of the night "



All comments from YouTube:

@Griswaldization

16 years old driving a 1992 oldsmobile cutlass playing this on cassette via bootleg mixed tape!! 1997 Lord take me back🙌

@BobbyLondon-uq6gq

That cut supreme💯💥

@runninzz

A lot of people say it's not his best but I remember when this tune came out, blew me away! One of Jay-Z's best!

@doktastrange911

Totally agree fam..and this is 1 of his best to me..blown away when it dropped..will never forget

@JESUS_Is_KING573

Yeah cool track to roll up the highway in

@abbyrose8448

This beat would slam my 12s

@Bwwe82090

I heard this in my brother's car, I love that chrous and I didn't know it was on this cd.

@saracarr3962

I woke up wanting to hear this. I love the sample from the 80s.

5 More Replies...

@randmiller88

That's Chad Hugo from Neptunes playing the sax. Legend

@Fernandosantanajr83

No lie, this is the album that got me into hip-hop. Listened to this when i was 14 in Dr when i didnt even understand the language lol

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