The album reached #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart that year and #15 on the UK Albums Chart. The album's first single "Numb/Encore" ended up winning a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and has become part of the theme tune for the hit 2006 film re-make "Miami Vice".
Dirt Off Your Shoulder / Lying From You
Jay-Z and Linkin Park Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's my fucking frappuccino
All right let's do this
When I pretend, everything is what I want it to be
I looked exactly like what you always wanted to see
When I pretend, I can't forget about the criminal I am
Stealing second after second just 'cause I know I can, but
I can't pretend of who you want me to be so I'm (lying my way from)
If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
I probably owe it to y'all, probably be locked by the force
Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
Middle finger to the law, nigga grippin' my balls
Said the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
All the ballers is bouncin they like the way I be leanin
All the rappers be hatin, off the track that I'm makin'
But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pops
Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I can run it back, nigga 'cause I'm straight with the Roc
If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yes sir
Keep the Heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin
Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin
With a boss bitch of course S.C. On the sleeve
At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real, chill
Yeah, I remember what they taught to me
Remember condescending took for who I ought to be
Remember listenin' to all of that and this again
So I pretended up a person who was fitting in
And now you think this person really is me and I'm (trying to bend the truth)
But the more I push the more I'm pulling away 'cause I'm (lying my way from)
You (Nah, no turning back now)
I wanna be pushed aside so let me go
(Nah, no turning back now)
Let me take me back my life
I'd rather be all alone (No turning back now)
And anywhere on my own, 'cause I can see (Nah, no turning back now)
The very worst part of you
The very worst part of you, it's me!
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
You (Nah, no turning back now)
I wanna be pushed aside so let me go
(Nah, no turning back now)
Let me take me back my life
I'd rather be all alone (No turning back now)
And anywhere on my own, 'cause I can see (Nah, no turning back now)
The very worst part of you
The very worst part of you, it's me!
Biatch!
In a unique mash-up, Jay-Z and Linkin Park combined two of their hit songs into "Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You." The rap/rock blend creates a powerful energy that empowers listeners to brush off their haters and be confident in their true selves. The lyrics express the challenge of trying to fit into the mold of what others want while struggling to remain authentic. Through the lyricist's personal experiences, the song deals with the inner turmoil of trying to please others while hiding one's true identity. The message of the song is ultimately to be confident in who you are and to brush off any negativity that comes your way.
The first verse emphasizes the idea of pretending to be something you're not by doing things for the sake of doing them. It expresses the feeling of stealing time because you know you're capable of doing so. The second verse follows the theme of brushing off haters, with the rhyme "get, that, dirt off your shoulder." In this verse, Jay-Z raps about his success despite the negativity from others and how he has garnered love from his fans.
The third verse is a continuation of Jay-Z's success but also refers to the illegal activities he was involved in to attain it. He raps about his love for the hustle and feeling no remorse while flipping off the authorities. The bridge reveals the inner turmoil experienced when trying to fit in, pretending to be someone else, and the fear of being found out.
The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the need to brush off negativity, followed by an outro "Biatch!" that serves as the final punch of empowered confidence.
Line by Line Meaning
When I pretend, everything is what I want it to be
I create a façade to match what you want me to be
I looked exactly like what you always wanted to see
I project an image that is meant to please you
When I pretend, I can't forget about the criminal I am
I am aware of my wrongdoings, even when putting on a front
Stealing second after second just 'cause I know I can, but
I commit crimes out of desire, not necessity
I can't pretend that this is they way it'll stay, I'm just (trying to bend the truth)
I know that my lies can't sustain forever, but I continue to deceive
I can't pretend of who you want me to be so I'm (lying my way from)
I must lie about who you want me to be in order to avoid the truth
If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
If you're feeling confident and assertive, show it off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Women can be strong and assertive as well, so don't hold back
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
People can be unpredictable and dangerous, so be aware
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Shake off negativity and move on confidently
Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
Jay-Z is in control, making moves in the drug trade
I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
Jay-Z is successful and able to buy expensive things
Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
Jay-Z is unapologetic for his actions and feels he has no choice
Middle finger to the law, nigga grippin' my balls
Jay-Z is rebellious and defies authority
Said the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
Jay-Z is popular and attracts female attention
All the ballers is bouncin they like the way I be leanin
Jay-Z's movements and style are admired by others
All the rappers be hatin, off the track that I'm makin'
Jay-Z's success is resented by other rappers
But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Fellow hustlers respect Jay-Z's success and root for him
Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pops
Jay-Z started from nothing and became a successful artist
Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
Jay-Z has achieved international fame from his humble beginnings
Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
Jay-Z is quick and successful in his endeavors
I can run it back, nigga 'cause I'm straight with the Roc
Jay-Z is connected to The Roc music label, which supports him
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Don't let negativity hold you down
Yeah, I remember what they taught to me
I recall the things I was taught while growing up
Remember condescending took for who I ought to be
I was pressured to be someone others wanted me to be
Remember listenin' to all of that and this again
I kept hearing the same messages from others
So I pretended up a person who was fitting in
I put on an act and tried to blend in with others' expectations
But the more I push the more I'm pulling away 'cause I'm (lying my way from)
The more I try to fit in, the more I feel like I'm being dishonest
You (Nah, no turning back now)
There's no going back or changing what has already happened
I wanna be pushed aside so let me go
I want to leave and be left alone
Let me take me back my life
I want to regain control and live my own life
I'd rather be all alone (No turning back now)
I prefer solitude to being in a situation that isn't right for me
And anywhere on my own, 'cause I can see (Nah, no turning back now)
I'll go anywhere by myself because I can see that I need to move on
The very worst part of you
The negative aspects of who you are
The very worst part of you, it's me!
I realize that I am my own worst enemy
Biatch!
Vulgarity used to accentuate the preceding lyrics
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brad Delson, Chester Bennington, Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, Joseph Hahn, David Farrell, Shawn C. Carter, Timothy Z. Mosley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind