The song is an ode to dressing better and losing throwback jerseys, a message so powerful that it actually had NBA commissioner David Stern himself begging Hov to tell people to “change clothes back” after a decline in jersey sales.
Change Clothes
Jay-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell the whole world the truth is back
You ain't got to argue about who could rap
Cause the proof is back just go through my rap
New York New York yeah where my troopers at
Where my hustlers where my boosters at
I don't care what you do for stacks
I know the world glued you back to the wall
You gotta brawl to that
I been through that, been shot at shoot back
Gotta keep it peace like a Buddhist
I ain't a New Jack nobody goin' Wesley Snipe me
It's less than likely, move back
Let I breathe Jedi Knight
The more space I get the better I write
(Oh) Never I write, but, if, ever I write
I need the space to say whatever I like, now just
(Change clothes and go) You know I stay, fresh to death
I brought you from the projects
And I'm a take you to the top of the globe so let's go (change numbers and go)
Uh huh yeah, uh (now girl I promise you, no substitute)
It's just me
And I goin' tell you again let's get ghost in the phantom
You could bring your friend we could make this a tandem
You could come by yourself and you could stand him
Best believe I sweat out weaves, give Afro puffs like R.A.g.e.
You get if you could move it
Back it on up like a you Haul truck
Then run and tell them thugs you heard HOV knew
He and the boy for real make beautiful music
He is to the east coast what Snoop is, to the west coast what Face is to Houston
Young HOV in the house it's so necessary
No bra with the blouse it's so necessary
No panties and jeans that's so necessary
Now why you fronting on me is that necessary
Do I to you look like a lame
Who don't understand a bra with a mean shoe game
Whose up on Dot Dot Dot and Vera Wang
Ma are you insane, let's just
(What you want me to do?)
(Change clothes and go) You know I stay, fresh to death
I brought you from the projects
And I'm a take you to the top of the globe so let's go (change numbers and go)
Uh huh yeah, uh (now girl I promise you, no substitute)
It's just me
Uh, uh (sexy sexy) Woo!
Uh huh (sexy sexy) It's so necessary right)
Uh huh, woo! (Sexy sexy) that's right it's a groove
Uh huh, it's a groove (sexy sexy) bring it back
Young HOV in the house it's so necessary
No bra with that blouse it's so necessary
No panties and jeans it's so necessary
Why you fronting on me?
Let's go to my hotel cause this don't go well
With those S Dots, gotta to stay fresh ma
Ma, I don't shop what the rest by
Oh no ma please respect ma
Jiggy this is probably purple label
Or that BBC or it's probably tailored
But y'all niggas acting way to tough
Throw on a suit get it tapered up, and let's just
(Change clothes and go) You know I stay, fresh to death
I brought you from the projects
And I'm a take you to the top of the globe so let's go (change numbers and go)
Uh huh yeah, uh (now girl I promise you, no substitute)
It's just me
Uh uh (sexy sexy) sing along
Yeah, uh (sexy sexy) turn your radio up
Woo! (sexy sexy) Put your hands in the air if your in the car
Uh! Snap your fingers now (sexy sexy) woo, uh
Uh, uh, your boy is back
Uh huh, uh, uh, uh, the bounce is back
Uh, uh, woo, uh HOV is back, peace!
In Jay-Z's song Change Clothes, he talks about his wealth and status as a successful rapper. He asserts that he has proven himself as a talented rapper, and there is no need for arguments about who can rap. He mentions the city of New York, where he is from, and where his fans and supporters are. Jay-Z also speaks about his experiences with violence and the need to keep the peace. He emphasizes his desire to be able to express himself freely, without any limitations or constraints.
At its core, Change Clothes is a song about Jay-Z's identity and status as a wealthy and successful rapper. He takes pride in his accomplishments and talks about how he can afford to buy expensive clothing and live a lavish lifestyle. The song also touches on themes of masculinity, power, and control.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah ma, your dude is back, made back roof is back
I'm back and with style
Tell the whole world the truth is back
I'm the real deal
You ain't got to argue about who could rap
There's no question about my skill as a rapper
Cause the proof is back just go through my rap
My rapping stands proof of my talent
New York New York yeah where my troopers at
I'm from New York and I represent the city
Where my hustlers where my boosters at
I'm looking for the hustlers and the people who help them out
I don't care what you do for stacks
I don't care how you make your money
I know the world glued you back to the wall
I know you're having a tough time
You gotta brawl to that
You have to fight to survive
I been through that, been shot at shoot back
I've been through tough times and I know how to defend myself
Gotta keep it peace like a Buddhist
I prefer to stay calm and avoid conflicts
I ain't a New Jack nobody goin' Wesley Snipe me
I'm not a rookie and I won't be taken down easily
It's less than likely, move back
It's unlikely that you can take me down, so move back
Let I breathe Jedi Knight
I need space to be creative
The more space I get the better I write
Creativity needs space
(Oh) Never I write, but, if, ever I write
I don't write very often, but if I did, I would need space
I need the space to say whatever I like, now just
I need space to say whatever's on my mind
(Change clothes and go) You know I stay, fresh to death
I always dress well
I brought you from the projects
I came from humble beginnings
And I'm a take you to the top of the globe so let's go (change numbers and go)
I'm going to take you with me to the top
Uh huh yeah, uh (now girl I promise you, no substitute)
I'll be the real thing and nothing less
It's just me
I'll be the only one you need
And I goin' tell you again let's get ghost in the phantom
Let's leave in a fancy car without anyone noticing
You could bring your friend we could make this a tandem
Bring a friend to make this a double date
You could come by yourself and you could stand him
Or come alone and stand up to him
Best believe I sweat out weaves, give Afro puffs like R.A.g.e.
I'll make you sweat and give you a good time
You get if you could move it
You'll get it if you can keep up
Back it on up like a you Haul truck
Move your body like a truck
Then run and tell them thugs you heard HOV knew
Go and tell people you know me
He and the boy for real make beautiful music
I make great music with my friends
He is to the east coast what Snoop is, to the west coast what Face is to Houston
I'm an important figure in the East Coast music scene
Young HOV in the house it's so necessary
It's important that people know I'm in the house
No bra with the blouse it's so necessary
It's fashionable to not wear a bra with a blouse
No panties and jeans that's so necessary
It's fashionable to not wear panties with jeans
Now why you fronting on me is that necessary
Why are you pretending not to like me when it's unnecessary?
Do I to you look like a lame
Do I look like someone who's not cool?
Who don't understand a bra with a mean shoe game
I know fashion and what looks good
Whose up on Dot Dot Dot and Vera Wang
I know about fashion designers
Ma are you insane, let's just
Come on, let's
(What you want me to do?)
What do you want me to do?
Uh uh (sexy sexy) Woo!
It's time to get sexy
Uh huh (sexy sexy) It's so necessary right)
Being sexy is important
Uh huh, woo! (Sexy sexy) that's right it's a groove
Being sexy is fun
Uh huh, it's a groove (sexy sexy) bring it back
Let's keep the groove going
No bra with that blouse it's so necessary
I prefer not to wear a bra with a blouse
No panties and jeans it's so necessary
I prefer not to wear panties with jeans
Why you fronting on me?
Why are you pretending not to like me?
Let's go to my hotel cause this don't go well
Let's go somewhere private
With those S Dots, gotta to stay fresh ma
I have to keep looking good
Ma, I don't shop what the rest by
I don't follow fashion trends
Oh no ma please respect ma
Please respect me
Jiggy this is probably purple label
I'm probably wearing a purple label
Or that BBC or it's probably tailored
Or maybe the outfit is custom tailored
But y'all niggas acting way to tough
But you guys are acting too tough
Throw on a suit get it tapered up, and let's just
Put on a suit and let's go
(Change clothes and go) You know I stay, fresh to death
I always keep looking good
I brought you from the projects
I came from humble beginnings
And I'm a take you to the top of the globe so let's go (change numbers and go)
I'm going to take you with me to the top
Uh huh yeah, uh (now girl I promise you, no substitute)
I'll be the real thing and nothing less
It's just me
I'll be the only one you need
Uh uh (sexy sexy) sing along
Sing along if you feel sexy
Yeah, uh (sexy sexy) turn your radio up
Turn up the radio if you feel sexy
Woo! (sexy sexy) Put your hands in the air if your in the car
Put your hands up if you feel sexy and you're in the car
Uh! Snap your fingers now (sexy sexy) woo, uh
Snap your fingers if you're feeling sexy
Uh, uh, your boy is back
I'm back
Uh huh, uh, uh, uh, the bounce is back
My style is back
Uh, uh, woo, uh HOV is back, peace!
I'm back and it feels good!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pharrell Williams, Shawn Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@streetfighter531
Pharrell's production will stand the test of time he was so ahead of his time truly a remarkable talent
@hibbshibbs43
Can’t forget Chad Hugo tho
@pedrogates3189
Pharrell actually prod who is it for Michael Jackson in 92 but teddy riley got the credit for it if you go back and listen shit sounds just like a Neptune’s best
@AudioInklined
@pedro gates and BEEN working in hip hop a long time. Casual fans though don't know that.
@pedrogates3189
- Oiduakni - word !
@Lioness_Es
Pedro
Now I know you blowing smoke! Are you for real? I thought that was Michael's alone, because he's beat boxing!
@hiphoprates6255
20 years later still sounds so fresh😭 timeless music
@dusatriplife6993
I’m bringing this sound back g! 8/25 Kingz Kastle
@kingrichards101
Great point. So clean and irrelevant.
@damonecooper4556
Doggpound