Somewhere in America
Jay Z (@LaBombaMusical1) Lyrics


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Shout out to old Jews and old rules
New blacks with new stacks
I already been the king
Retro act, I'm just bringing it back like Jordan Packs
New money, they looking down on me
Blue bloods they trying to clown on me
You can turn up your nose high society
Never gone turn down the homie
Knock knock I'm at your neighbor house
Straight cash I bought ya neighbor out
You should come to the housewarming
Come and see what your new neighbor 'bout
Yellow Lambo in the driveway
A buck thirty-five, I'm on the highway
Frank Sinatra on my Sonos
Loud as fuck, I did it my way
A million sold before the album dropped
White Lexus before I had a deal
Ask Bun B about me
This ain't no snap back, a nigga been trill
By the way, fuck your math
You ain't gotta count it my nigga I can add
1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 20 million
Oh, I'm so good at math
Might crash ya Internet
And I ain't even into that
When I was talking Instagram
Last thing you wanted was your picture snapped
Feds still lurking
They see I'm still putting work in
'Cause somewhere in America
Miley Cyrus is still twerkin'

Twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk
Twerk, Miley, Miley, twerk
Twerk
Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley, twerk
Twerk, yeah, ugh-huh




Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley
Only in America

Overall Meaning

In "Somewhere In America," Jay Z begins the song by referencing both the old and the new: "Old Jews and old rules / New blacks with new stacks." He then establishes his own position as a dominant force in the music industry, proclaiming: "I already been the king / Retro act, I'm just bringing it back like Jordan Packs." However, he acknowledges that some may still look down on him despite his success, stating, "New money, they looking down on me / Blue bloods they trying to clown on me." Despite this, Jay Z remains confident in his own success, rapping "1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 20 million / Oh, I'm so good at math."


The chorus of the song takes a brief interlude to reference Miley Cyrus and her infamous twerking performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards: "Twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk / Twerk, Miley, Miley, twerk / Twerk / Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley, twerk / Twerk, yeah, ugh-huh / Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley / Only in America."


Overall, "Somewhere In America" is a confident, braggadocious track in which Jay Z celebrates his own success and references both the old and the new. The song also takes a moment to reference a pop culture moment of the time, cementing its place as a time capsule of sorts.


Line by Line Meaning

Shout out to old Jews and old rules
Acknowledging the respect and admiration for senior members of the Jewish community and the traditions/cultures they uphold.


New blacks with new stacks
Celebrating the success of new generations of African Americans who have come into power and wealth through various means.


I already been the king
Asserting his dominance and authority over the rap game through his previous achievements.


Retro act, I'm just bringing it back like Jordan Packs
Comparing his music style to the old-school charm of the Jordan Pack sneakers, while also indicating that he is trying to recapture a certain stylishness or swagger that makes his music transcendent, appealing to future generations.


New money, they looking down on me
Feeling frustrated and alienated by members of the upper class who are born into wealth and judge him based on his newfound success for what they perceive to be a lack of refinement.


Blue bloods they trying to clown on me
Members of the elite or upper class are mocking his past and present lifestyle choices, showing a classism and an unwillingness to respect his status as an equal.


You can turn up your nose high society
Referring to the prejudice and snobbery he experiences from well-to-do individuals who would never associate themselves with a self-made success story like himself.


Never gone turn down the homie
Despite negative attitudes and comments from others, Jay Z will always remain loyal to and support his friends and family who have been there for him throughout his career.


Knock knock I'm at your neighbor house
Boasting that he is going to the homes of wealthy neighbors which he may or may not know personally.


Straight cash I bought ya neighbor out
Implying that he either purchased his neighbor's house or is simply referring and showing off his wealth and purchasing power.


You should come to the housewarming
Inviting his neighbors over to celebrate his success in buying property of his own and creating a new lifestyle for himself.


Come and see what your new neighbor 'bout
Encouraging his wealthy neighbors to understand and respect him as a new neighbor with his own unique successes and similar experiences to them.


Yellow Lambo in the driveway
Showing off his personal Lamborghini and all its symbolic and material value as an aspiration for listeners.


A buck thirty-five, I'm on the highway
Boasting his lifestyle, free of concern of the law or consequences, and showing his power and freedom that comes with wealth.


Frank Sinatra on my Sonos
Subtly trolling his wealthier counterparts who would likely share a passion for Frank Sinatra, and also celebrating his own diverse and well-rounded taste in music.


Loud as fuck, I did it my way
Asserting his own individuality and control over his life and music career; he is living life to the fullest and making music the way he sees fit. He is making a reference to the famous Frank Sinatra song, My Way, which exalts that same individuality.


A million sold before the album dropped
Boasting about the massive amount of pre-release sales on his records.


White Lexus before I had a deal
Referencing his successful career before signing a major record deal with a major music label. A white Lexus is being used as a metaphor for his wealth and status.


Ask Bun B about me
Proving his credibility as an artist by calling out fellow rapper Bun B, a Texas music artist, who Jay Z has worked with in the past, and through whose endorsement he gained a lot of respect in the music industry.


This ain't no snap back, a nigga been trill
This line is hard to interpret, but it may refer to the authenticity of his music and lifestyle, as opposed to new trends and sudden changes. ‘Trill’ is a southern slang word meaning a combination of ‘true’ and ‘real’.


By the way, fuck your math
Disregarding any negative assumptions about his finances and suggesting that his success should not be solely measured in monetary terms.


You ain't gotta count it my nigga I can add
Asserting his own control over his finances and success, showing he does not need external validation or acknowledgement of his achievements.


1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 20 million
Boasting about the magnitude and rapid growth of his wealth.


Oh, I'm so good at math
Poking fun at those who underestimate his intelligence and natural talent since he is concrete evidence of his intellectual and business acumen by being gloriously wealthy.


Might crash ya Internet
Implying that his popularity and the virality of his content has the power to break even the internet if not properly regulated or controlled.


And I ain't even into that
Denying that his sole motivation is to damage any aspect of the public spaces that support him or his music.


When I was talking Instagram
Citing his ability to influence the way in which fans consumed social media content by acting as an influential force on par with popular photo-sharing app Instagram.


Last thing you wanted was your picture snapped
Considering his influence and high level of popularity, people would not want to be captured by his lens in case an implied controversy or negative perception of them was embedded in the photo.


Feds still lurking
Referring to his previous run-ins with the Federal Officers, and cautioning that he remains vigilant against similar legal troubles in the future.


They see I'm still putting work in
Emphasizing the persistence and determination he places into his music and brand, showing a work ethic and creativity that is constantly propelling him forward.


'Cause somewhere in America
Transitioning into the chorus of the song, suggesting that no matter where one may be, Jay Z’s influence and impact are felt and appreciated.


Miley Cyrus is still twerkin'
Referencing the pop culture obsession with Miley Cyrus' relatively new style of dance, using her as an extended metaphor of the importance of evolving with the times and staying relevant in the music industry as well as in society.


Twerk, twerk, twerk, twerk
An energetic call to action by repeating the state-of-the-art dance trend, encouraging listeners to shake their hips and dance to the rhythm.


Twerk, Miley, Miley, twerk
Citing the most popular representation of the current dance phenomenon for listeners, and indicating that Miley’s own authenticity and relevance are not to be ignored or underestimated.


Twerk
Encouraging the listener to join in and appreciate the beauty of the timeless human dance gesture that is twerking, seen as ubiquitous and across-the-board iconic.


Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley, twerk
Repeating the name of the popstar Miley Cyrus, to reinforce the importance of keeping a newly emerging trend, fresh and vibrant, bold and exciting.


Twerk, yeah, ugh-huh
An assertive response to the energy of the previous lines, establishing positively an inner harmony with the listener, and recommending pushing themself to become more involved and invested in the culture and staying relevant.


Twerk, Miley, Miley, Miley
Re-emphasizing what has already been said, and the relevance of this young superstar in the context of the dance phenomenon.


Only in America
Bringing the song back to a final conclusion, the phrase embodies the concept of chasing the American Dream and letting individuality, creativity, and competition be one of the many engines driving the country forward.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, MIKE DEAN, CHAUNCEY ALEXANDER HOLLIS, DARHYL JR. CAMPER, JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON

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

@LionTheSpaniard

Intro]
See what you made me do?

[Verse]
Shout out to old Jews and old rules
New blacks with new stacks
I already been the king
Retro act, I'm just bringing it back like Jordan Packs
New money, they looking down on me
Blue bloods they trying to clown on me
You can turn up your nose high society
Never gone turn down the homie
Knock knock I'm at your neighbor house
Straight cash I bought ya neighbor out
You should come to the housewarming
Come and see what your new neighbor 'bout (SKIRRRRR!)
Yellow Lambo in the driveway
A buck thirty-five, I'm on the highway
Frank Sinatra on my Sonos
Loud as fuck, I did it my way
A million sold before the album dropped
White Lexus before I had a deal
Ask Bun B about me
This ain't no snap back, a nigga been trill
By the way, fuck your mag
You ain't gotta count it my nigga I can add
1 million, 2 million, 3 million, 20 million
Oh, I'm so good at math
Might crash ya Internet
And I ain't even into that
When I was talking Instagram
Last thing you wanted was your picture snapped
Feds still lurking
They see I'm still putting work in
Cause somewhere in America
Miley Cyrus is still twerkin'

[Outro]
Twerk, twerk (Miley, Miley)
Only in America



All comments from YouTube:

@TheMack-km5lz

That piano and that bass line!🔥

@xliennature

💎

@TheMack-km5lz

@@xliennature 🔥🔥🔥

@squiliamfancyson3702

With the glorious strings at the end added! Masterpiece!

@TheMack-km5lz

@@squiliamfancyson3702 yes indeed🏆

@laneschwartz7919

Right on !!!!!!

1 More Replies...

@BunnyJosuke

This is honestly one of my favorites of the album. It needs more views. The piano ties in well with it.

@DonovanLongdlong314

Love it classic

@BunnyJosuke

Indeed. c:

@DonovanLongdlong314

classic

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