Big Pimpin'/Papercut
Jay-Z (Feat. Linkin Park) Lyrics


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Hahaha
You're wasting your talent, Randy

It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
It's like the face inside is right
Why does it feel like night today?
Something in here's not right today
Why am I so uptight today?
Paranoia's all I got left
I don't know what stressed me first
Or how the pressure was fed
But I know just what it feels like
To have a voice in the back of my head
It's like a face that I hold inside
A face that awakes when I close my eyes
A face watches every time I lie
A face that laughs every time I fall
And watches everything

So I know that when it's time to sink or swim
That the face inside is hearing me
Right beneath my skin

It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
It's like the face inside is right

You know I - thug em, fuck em, love em, leave em
Cause I don't fuckin' need em
Take em out the hood, keep em lookin' good
But I don't fuckin' feed em
First time they fuss I'm breezin'
Talkin' bout, "What's the reasons?"
I'm a pimp in every sense of the word, bitch
Better trust than believe em
In the cut where I keep em
Til I need a nut, til I need to beat the guts
Then it's, beep beep and I'm pickin' em up
Let em play with the dick in the truck
Many chicks wanna put Jigga fist in cuffs
Divorce him and split his bucks
Just because you got good head, I'ma break bread
So you can be livin' it up? Shit I
Parts with nothin', y'all be frontin'
Me give my heart to a woman?
Not for nothin', never happen
I'll be forever mackin'
Heart cold as assassins, I got no passion
I got no patience
And I hate waitin
Hoe get yo' ass in

And let's ri-i-i-i-i-ide check em out now
Ri-i-i-i-i-ide, yeah
And let's ri-i-i-i-i-ide check em out now
Ri-i-i-i-i-ide, yeah

We doin, big pimpin', we spendin' G's
Check em out now
Big pimpin', on B.L.A.D.'s
We doin big pimpin' up in N.Y.C.
It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N-B
Yo yo yo, big pimpin', spendin G's
We doin, big pimpin', on B.L.A.D.'s




We doin, big pimpin' up in N.Y.C.
It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N-B

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Big Pimpin'/Papercut" by Jay-Z feat. Linkin Park are a juxtaposition of two different themes that are being blended together. In the portion sung by Linkin Park, the lyrics express feelings of paranoia and insecurity. The lines, "Why does it feel like night today? Something in here's not right today" capture the sense of unease that one feels when they can't quite put a finger on what exactly is making them feel off. The face inside that they speak of represents an inner voice that is constantly criticizing and belittling them. The constant repetition of, "It's like I'm paranoid looking over my back" underscores just how much this paranoia has consumed their mind.


On the other hand, Jay-Z's portion of the song is a classic portrayal of the Big Pimpin' lifestyle. He is boasting about his sexism and how he objectifies women. The lines, "I'm a pimp in every sense of the word, bitch. Better trust than believe him" are a direct reference to his manipulative power over the women he is dealing with. He talks about how he uses women for his own pleasure, and then discards them without a second thought. This part of the song is meant to convey power and machismo, in contrast to the vulnerability expressed in Linkin Park's lyrics.


The fusion of these two themes speaks to the contradictions that exist in our modern society. On one hand, we have individuals who are deeply insecure and paranoid, while on the other hand, we have individuals who are unapologetically over-the-top and confident. The harsh juxtaposition between these two themes represents the incongruities and complexities that exist in our world today.


Line by Line Meaning

Hahaha
An expression of amusement or derision


You're wasting your talent, Randy
You are not using your abilities to their full potential, Randy


It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back
I feel like someone is watching or following me


It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
There are many chaotic thoughts swirling around in my mind


It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
I cannot control the thoughts and voices in my head


It's like the face inside is right
The voice in my head feels like it knows what is best for me


Why does it feel like night today?
Why does it feel dark and unsettling today?


Something in here's not right today
Something doesn't feel normal or comfortable today


Why am I so uptight today?
Why am I anxious or tense today?


Paranoia's all I got left
All I have left is a feeling of distrust and suspicion


I don't know what stressed me first
I am not sure what caused me to feel stressed


Or how the pressure was fed
I don't know how I started to feel the pressure I am under


But I know just what it feels like
I am very familiar with the feeling of stress and pressure


To have a voice in the back of my head
To have a persistent nagging feeling or thought in my mind


It's like a face that I hold inside
It's like a figure or persona that lives within me


A face that awakes when I close my eyes
A figure that comes alive in my dreams or subconscious


A face watches every time I lie
A figure that is aware of every lie I tell


A face that laughs every time I fall
A figure that takes pleasure in watching me fail


And watches everything
And observes and monitors my every move


So I know that when it's time to sink or swim
So I am aware that I must make important decisions and take action


That the face inside is hearing me
That the figure within me is aware of what I am thinking and feeling


Right beneath my skin
Deep inside of me, close to my emotions


You know I - thug em, fuck em, love em, leave em
I treat women with disrespect, using them for my own pleasure and then leaving them


Cause I don't fuckin' need em
Because I do not need women in my life


Take em out the hood, keep em lookin' good
I bring women out of difficult situations and take care of their appearances


But I don't fuckin' feed em
But I do not provide for them financially or emotionally


First time they fuss I'm breezin'
As soon as a woman complains or causes trouble, I am gone


Talkin' bout, "What's the reasons?"
When a woman questions my actions, I respond dismissively


I'm a pimp in every sense of the word, bitch
I am a manipulative and controlling man who exploits women for my own gain


Better trust than believe em
Women should trust me, but not believe everything I say


In the cut where I keep em
I keep women hidden away in secret places


Til I need a nut, til I need to beat the guts
Until I need sexual release or to show my dominance over a woman


Then it's, beep beep and I'm pickin' em up
Then I call the woman to come see me


Let em play with the dick in the truck
I let the woman play with my genitals in the car


Many chicks wanna put Jigga fist in cuffs
Many women would like to control or restrain me


Divorce him and split his bucks
Women marry me only for my money and then take it all in a divorce settlement


Just because you got good head, I'ma break bread
Just because a woman is good at performing oral sex, I will give her money


So you can be livin' it up? Shit I
So you can live a lavish lifestyle? I don't care


Parts with nothin', y'all be frontin'
I am willing to give up nothing, but other people pretend to live extravagantly


Me give my heart to a woman?
Me, give my emotions and vulnerability to a woman? Never.


Not for nothin', never happen
Not for any reason, it will never happen


I'll be forever mackin'
I will always be flirting and manipulating women


Heart cold as assassins, I got no passion
I am emotionally detached and have no genuine feelings or desires


I got no patience
I am easily irritated and do not have tolerance for delays


And I hate waitin
And I despise having to wait


Hoe get yo' ass in
Woman, come over here


And let's ri-i-i-i-i-ide check em out now
And let's go for a ride, check it out now


We doin, big pimpin', we spendin' G's
We are living a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle


Big pimpin', on B.L.A.D.'s
Living large, driving expensive cars


We doin big pimpin' up in N.Y.C.
We are living the extravagant life in New York City


It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N-B
It's just myself (Jigga Man) and my collaborators Pimp C and B-U-N-B




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Timothy Z Mosley, Kyambo Joshua, Chester C Bennington, Bradford Philip Delson, Joseph Hahn, Mike Shinoda, Robert G Bourdon, Shawn Corey Carter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Xavier Vega

Jay Z, Mike Shinoda,and Chester are all amazing live.

LeFraud James

The best collab album ever. All the songs on it are good. Dirt on your shoulders/lying from you, points of authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer, all of them lol

mitch edison

mike absolutely makes all this possible.

Thomas

so true.... he is the true (musical) genius

Tio Joao

@Thomas he, not Chester.

Thomas

@Tio Joao yes. The main comment talks about Mike right.

Mookie Stewart

@Thomas exactly

Scott

he has amazing stage presence

Naveen Magapu

I wish they would go on tour together once again to celebrate a decade of this fire collab album.

ShreyIyer14

You wish

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