Sweet
Jay-Z Lyrics


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Sweet
And still there's pain (pain, pain)
If I would have grew up to be a doctor
My nephews would have grew up to do the same (same, same)
But since I grew up through the game
And my influence is the same
And my therapy is music
They ask are you ashamed (ashamed)
And though I wish I could separate the two things
I cannot so my answer to you remains
I can walk down the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles
And be so satisfied when I look myself in the eyes
No shame, no sir
Just big boats and tearing the coast up
Tight coupes like I'm wearing the roadster
For any coupe, bear hugging the holster

Hov, alright, alright
And it may not be what you call perfect but
But it's my life (uh)
The life (uh-uh)
The life (uh-uh)
The life
Once again it's the life

So I make no apologies, crooked policies
So a G a nigga gotta be
We playing for property, no Monopoly
So I'll pass go and let my nephews follow me
They say the child shall lead
So I take it far as I can and then we shall see
Shall we dance with the devil for a beat
I pray to God I ain't got two left feet
Do the hustle, put keys in the street
Then I'm ballroom dancing, ke-ke'ing in the suite
Sweet, BB's on the feet
TV's in the seat, enemies on the creep
It's so corrupt
Soak it up, it's a lesson every fuck up
One day you're up
Next day you're down
Long as you stay the same, it'll come back around

Hov, alright, alright
And it may not be what you call perfect but
But it's my life
The life
The life
The life
Once again it's the life

I'm even better
I'm eating better
Best thing about it is
My niggas eating together
With each endeavor, we reaching levels
Niggas ain't seen in like forever
I'm Hyman Roth, so made all my partners rich
I can vouch for you if you ain't a part of this
So pardon me as I pave my wrist, uh
As I parlay my chips
Hov, alright, alright
American gangster, gangster
Businesses like I'm white
But I'm not, I'm just bright
So fly with no fear of the flight, uh
So if y'all hear my plight
And if you think you can make it this far without fight
Couple mistakes here and there
Not always right
But I'm always real
That's how I sleep at night

Hov, alright, alright
And it may not be what you call perfect but
But it's my life
The life
The life
The life




Once again it's the life
Sweet

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jay-Z's song Sweet convey the idea that he has come to terms with the life he's chosen, despite the pain and scrutiny it has caused him. He speaks about how his influence comes from the fact that he grew up in the game and how his therapy is music. He wishes he could separate the two things, but he cannot. He then talks about how he can walk down the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and be satisfied with who he is. He explains that he has no shame when it comes to the life he leads and that he's doing the best he can with what he has.


Jay-Z goes on to talk about how he makes no apologies for the crooked policies and that it's just the life he has chosen. He states that they are playing for property and that he will let his nephews follow him. He mentions that the child shall lead, and he takes it as far as he can. He then speaks about how it's corrupt and that he soaks it up as a lesson. He finds that one day you're up, and the next day you're down, but as long as you stay the same, it will come back around.


In the last verse, Jay-Z mentions that he's eating better and that his niggas are eating together. He states that they are reaching levels that they haven't seen in forever. He feels like he's made all his partners rich, and he can vouch for those who aren't a part of the game. He mentions that he's always real, even though he's not always right, and that's how he sleeps at night. He concludes by saying that it may not be perfect, but it's his life.


Line by Line Meaning

And still there's pain (pain, pain)
Despite his success, Jay-Z continues to feel the pain of his past and the sacrifices he's had to make for his career.


If I would have grew up to be a doctor My nephews would have grew up to do the same (same, same)
Jay-Z acknowledges that, had he chosen a different path, his family might have followed in his footsteps and pursued more traditional careers, like medicine.


But since I grew up through the game And my influence is the same And my therapy is music They ask are you ashamed (ashamed)
Jay-Z recognizes the impact his upbringing in the drug trade has had on his music and his life. Some people question whether he's ashamed of his past, but he finds therapy in his music and the influence he wields as a successful artist.


And though I wish I could separate the two things I cannot so my answer to you remains
Jay-Z acknowledges that his music is influenced by his upbringing and the crime he witnessed and participated in. He wishes he could separate the two but recognizes that he can't, and that his music is a reflection of his experiences.


I can walk down the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles And be so satisfied when I look myself in the eyes No shame, no sir Just big boats and tearing the coast up Tight coupes like I'm wearing the roadster For any coupe, bear hugging the holster
Jay-Z revels in his success and wealth, feeling no shame or regret for his past. He enjoys expensive boats and cars, and is always ready to defend himself if necessary.


So I make no apologies, crooked policies So a G a nigga gotta be We playing for property, no Monopoly So I'll pass go and let my nephews follow me
Jay-Z makes no apologies for the way he's made his money, acknowledging that his success came from a world with its own set of rules. He sees himself as a role model for his family, particularly his nephews.


They say the child shall lead So I take it far as I can and then we shall see Shall we dance with the devil for a beat I pray to God I ain't got two left feet
Jay-Z sees himself as a leader and a trailblazer, paving the way for his family and others to succeed. He questions whether that success is worth the sacrifices he's made, and asks for guidance and strength from a higher power.


Sweet, BB's on the feet TV's in the seat, enemies on the creep It's so corrupt Soak it up, it's a lesson every fuck up One day you're up Next day you're down Long as you stay the same, it'll come back around
Jay-Z recognizes the corrupt nature of the world he lives in, with enemies always looking for a way to take him down. He advises that you learn from your mistakes and keep pushing forward, knowing that good times may turn bad but will eventually come back around.


I'm even better I'm eating better Best thing about it is My niggas eating together With each endeavor, we reaching levels Niggas ain't seen in like forever
Jay-Z celebrates his success and that of his friends, especially the fact that they can enjoy it together. They continue to push forward and aim for even higher levels of success.


I'm Hyman Roth, so made all my partners rich I can vouch for you if you ain't a part of this So pardon me as I pave my wrist, uh As I parlay my chips
Jay-Z compares himself to a character from the film The Godfather Part II, who made his partners rich and could vouch for them. He continues to build his wealth and success, securing his place at the top of the game.


American gangster, gangster Businesses like I'm white But I'm not, I'm just bright So fly with no fear of the flight, uh
Jay-Z acknowledges the privilege and opportunities that come with being white in America, but notes that his success is due not to his race but to his intelligence and drive. He's not afraid to take risks and strive for even greater success.


So if y'all hear my plight And if you think you can make it this far without fight Couple mistakes here and there Not always right But I'm always real That's how I sleep at night
Jay-Z challenges his listeners to take inspiration from his story and keep fighting for their own success. He acknowledges that he's made mistakes along the way, but remains true to himself and his values.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Iricom US Ltd, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Rudy Love, Robert B. Curington, Shawn Carter, Sean Combs, Deleno Sean Matthews, Levar Coppin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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