Brush Your Bitter Sweet Shoulders Off
Jay Z vs. The Verve Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimpsβ too
β go and brushβ your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy babyβ don't forget
That boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Proud to be locked by the force
Tryinβ to hustle some things that
Go with the Porsche feelinβ no remorse
Feelinβ like my hand was forced
Middle finger to the law nigga
Grippinβ my balls
Said the ladies they love me
From the bleachers they screaminβ
All the ballers is bouncinβ they like
The way I be leaninβ
All the rappers be hatinβ
Off the track that I'm makinβ
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 βcause
I'm straight with the Roc
'Cause it's a bittersweetβ¦symphony this life
(If you feelin like a pimp nigga
Go and brush your shoulders off)
(Ladies is pimps too
Go and brush your shoulders off)
Trying to make ends meet
Youβre a slave to money then you die
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Your homey Hov' in position
In the kitchen with soda
I just whipped up a watch
Tryinβ to get me a Rover
Tryinβ 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 dealinβ, 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 chillinβ
With a boss bitch of course SC 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
You know I canβt change, I can't change
I can't change
But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold
But I'm a million different people from
One day to the next
I can't change my mold, no
No, no, no, no, no, no
Your boy back in the building
Brooklyn we back on the map
Me and my beautiful beeeeeeeitch in
The back of that 'Bach
I'm the realest that run it
I just happen to rap
I ain't gotta clap at 'em
Niggas scared of that black
I drop that Blackβ¦Album then I backβ¦out it
As the best rapper alive, nigga ask about me
From Bricks to Billboards, grams to Grammyβs
The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
You gotta pardon Jay
For sellinβ out the Garden in a day
I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
Got some, dirt on my shoulder
Could you brush it off for me?
You know I canβt change, I
Can't change, I can't change, i can't change
But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold
And I'm a million different people from
One day to the next
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no
The lyrics to "Brush Your Bitter Sweet Shoulders Off" by Jay Z vs. The Verve are a juxtaposition of two songs - Jay Z's "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" and The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony." The lyrics primarily revolve around themes of confidence, success, and resilience.
The opening lines, "If you feelin like a pimp nigga, Go and brush your shoulders off," suggest a sense of empowerment. Jay Z encourages the listener to brush off any negativity or challenges they may be facing and maintain a confident attitude. He emphasizes that both men and women should embrace their inner strength and overcome any obstacles.
The lyrics then transition to Jay Z reflecting on his own journey to success. He mentions his hustle, both legally and illegally, and how he feels no remorse for his actions. He boasts about his popularity with women and his ability to make catchy tracks that resonate with hustlers. He highlights his rise from humble beginnings to becoming a global sensation, mentioning various locations such as London and Japan. Jay Z takes pride in his association with Roc-A-Fella Records and his position as a successful rapper.
Interwoven with Jay Z's verses are the lyrics from The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony." This adds another layer of meaning to the song. The Verve's lyrics touch upon the bittersweet nature of life, the pursuit of money, and the idea that one can become a slave to material wealth. It suggests that despite the success and confidence Jay Z portrays, there is an underlying sense that he is confined or trapped in his own mold.
Line by Line Meaning
If you feelin like a pimp nigga
If you're feeling confident and in control
Go and brush your shoulders off
Show off your confidence and dismiss any negativity
Ladies is pimps too
Women can also be confident and in control
go and brush your shoulders off
They should also dismiss any negativity
Niggas is crazy baby don't forget
People can be irrational and unpredictable, so be cautious
That boy told you
Someone warned you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Let go of any negativity and move on
I probably owe it to y'all
I'm likely indebted to all of you
Proud to be locked by the force
I'm honored to be restrained by authority
Tryinβ to hustle some things that
Attempting to make money through various means
Go with the Porsche feelinβ no remorse
Associated with luxury and not feeling guilty
Feelinβ like my hand was forced
Feeling compelled to act under pressure
Middle finger to the law nigga
Defiance towards authority
Grippinβ my balls
Asserting dominance and confidence
Said the ladies they love me
Women have a strong affection for me
From the bleachers they screaminβ
Supporters are loudly cheering for me
All the ballers is bouncinβ they like
Other successful individuals admire me
The way I be leaninβ
They appreciate my style and attitude
All the rappers be hatinβ
Other artists are envious
Off the track that I'm makinβ
Jealous of the success of my music
But all the hustlers they love it
But those who work hard admire and appreciate it
Just to see one of us make it
They find inspiration in our success
Came from the bottom the bottom
Started from a disadvantaged position
To the top of the pops nigga London
Now achieving success and recognition on a global scale
Japan and I'm straight off the block
Even reaching audiences in Japan, coming from humble beginnings
Like a running back, get it man
Quickly progressing and achieving success, just like a football player
I'm straight off the block
Still connected to my roots and where I came from
I can run it back nigga βcause
I can relive my success because
I'm straight with the Roc
I have a solid foundation with my record label
'Cause it's a bittersweetβ¦symphony this life
This life is a combination of both happiness and sadness
(If you feelin like a pimp nigga
If you're feeling confident and in control
Go and brush your shoulders off)
Show off your confidence and dismiss any negativity
(Ladies is pimps too
Women can also be confident and in control
Go and brush your shoulders off)
They should also dismiss any negativity
Trying to make ends meet
Struggling to earn enough money to cover expenses
You're a slave to money then you die
If you're only focused on money, your life becomes meaningless
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Let go of any negativity and move on
Your homey Hov' in position
Your friend, Jay Z, is in a advantageous position
In the kitchen with soda
Preparing illicit substances
I just whipped up a watch
I recently acquired an expensive watch
Tryinβ to get me a Rover
Striving to purchase a luxurious car
Tryinβ to stretch out the
Attempting to expand my reach or profit
Coca, like a wrestler, yes sir
Handling drugs like a skilled athlete
Keep the heckler close you know
Always be prepared for dangerous situations
Them smokers'll test ya
Drug users may try to take advantage of or challenge you
but like
Similar to
Fifty-two cards when I'm
Just like a deck of cards when I'm
I'm through dealinβ
I'm done with my business transactions
now
now
Fifty-two bars come out
Now I'm delivering my lyrics
now you feel 'em
And now you can really understand and appreciate them
Now fifty-two cars roll out
Now there are many luxury cars associated with me
Remove ceiling in case
Open up the roof in case
Fifty-two broads come out
Now there are many women accompanying me
now you chillinβ
Now you're relaxed and enjoying yourself
With a boss bitch of course
With a powerful and confident woman, without a doubt
SC on the sleeve
Representing my record label, Roc-A-Fella Records
At the 40 40 club
At my exclusive nightclub, The 40/40 Club
ESPN on the screen
Watching sports on television
I paid a grip for the jeans
I spent a lot of money on my designer jeans
Plus the slippers is clean
Even my footwear is stylish and in perfect condition
No chrome on the wheels
My car doesn't have shiny chrome wheels
I'm a grown-up for real
I'm a mature adult
You know I canβt change, I can't change
I am who I am, I can't change
But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold
But I embrace my identity and stay true to myself
But I'm a million different people from
But I have various facets to my personality
One day to the next
I can be different from one day to another
I can't change my mold, no
I can't alter my core self
Your boy back in the building
I have returned and I'm back in the game
Brooklyn we back on the map
Representing our city and achieving success once again
Me and my beautiful beeeeeeeitch in
My attractive and beloved partner by my side in
The back of that 'Bach
In the rear of my luxury Mercedes-Benz
I'm the realest that run it
I am the most authentic and genuine in my field
I just happen to rap
And it so happens that I express myself through music
I ain't gotta clap at 'em
I don't need to resort to violence against them
Niggas scared of that black
People are intimidated by my success as a black man
I drop that Blackβ¦Album then I backβ¦out it
I released my successful album, then stepped back from the spotlight
As the best rapper alive, nigga ask about me
Acknowledging my status as the best rapper and encouraging others to inquire about it
From Bricks to Billboards, grams to Grammyβs
From selling drugs to achieving massive fame, from small-time success to winning Grammy Awards
The O's to opposite, Orphan Annie
From being in poverty to completely transforming my life, like the character Orphan Annie
You gotta pardon Jay
You have to forgive and understand my actions
For sellinβ out the Garden in a day
For selling out Madison Square Garden in just one day
I'm like a young Marvin in his hey'
I am comparable to a young Marvin Gaye in his prime
I'm a hustler homey, you a customer crony
I am a hardworking entrepreneur, while you are merely a consumer
Got some, dirt on my shoulder
I have some negativity or issues that I need to brush off
Could you brush it off for me?
Can you help me overcome these challenges?
You know I canβt change, I
I am who I am, I can't change
Can't change, I can't change, i can't change
I cannot alter myself
But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold
But I embrace my identity and stay true to myself
And I'm a million different people from
And I possess many different aspects and characteristics
One day to the next
I can be different from one day to another
I can't change my mold, no, no, no, no, no, no
I cannot change my fundamental self
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BlackSeranna
I believe the original DJ who mashed this up was DJ Crazy J Rodriguez. I first heard this song in 2006, when I stepped into the worst s&%t show of my life. I was trying to survive, and everywhere I turned, my life was crumbling and whatever security I thought I had was being pulled out from under me. Wouldn't have been bad if it was just about me, but the agent of chaos was threatening to undo any future my kids could have. Every day I went to the worst job of my life, where the boss yelled at all of us so much that one of the ladies admitted to me in private that she broke out into tears every day in the shower before she came to work. I hung on, and every day before and after work, I listened to this song. This song got me through the worst thing I ever went through. I don't feel like I will ever be the naΓ―ve person I was before that; I learned the depths of evil that people are capable of, and I also learned how adept I was at digging in and holding on, surviving to the next day, day after day. This song absolutely brings a tear to my eye - it saved me. I made it.
@charliecoppinger
You're a legend, thanks for sharing that. I feel a very similar way about this song, it's been a rock for me every now and then for well over a decade.
@christonacouch5550
All the hustlers love it, just to see one of us make it ππππππππ
@Jonathan-Creator-Tips
Good old Youtube ππΎ
@Hernamewaslola
I was just transported to my Jeep Grand Cherokee in β06 with alllll the windows down and cigs out the window
@masteraether4789
Whoever originally made this mashy up,...SALUTE....it still ROCKS OUT ..π€ππΌππΌrichard Ashcroft π€ππΌππΌπ―π₯π«πππππππ§
@DesertRainReads
Jeepers, amazing how a mash-up manages to capture the essence of both songs perfectly. I am not even a Jay-Z fan at all, but I can acknowledge when he hit gold, this was one of those times he did with his lyrics. Plus the combo of him with The Verve meshed naturally. Props to the guy who made this mash-up originally.
@jkibudde
This is beautiful. surprised it doesn't have more views
@76Ruijorge
But unbelievable how they mix together... The sound and the rap π
@channelfred8694
Now that's old school rap