Live & Learn
Joe Public Lyrics


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You've got to live and learn
You've got to live and learn
Before your bridges burn
You've got to live and learn

Here's a little story about life
Everybody that lives surely dies
A lot of people ask the questions why
Some people have to go through so much more
Before they really learn about life's score
The subject is not to be ignored
(Kick it to 'em, Joe)

I don't want to be the one
To tell you how it's gotta be
Livin' is the only way
You're ever really gonna see

You've got to live and learn
You've got to live and learn
Before your bridges burn
You've got to live and learn

Ah, yeah
Y'all, check it
Kick this one for the Public
Now break it down

There's so much wrong and negativity
Enough for the whole world to see
I know there's still a possibility
You raise a little kid, he turns out bold
It may be from the way you treat him cold
I guess that's how the story's told
(Tell 'em what it is)

I don't want to be the one
To tell you how it's gotta be
Livin' is the only way
You're ever really gonna see

You've got to live and learn
You've got to live and learn
Before your bridges burn
You've got to live and learn

You've got to live and learn
(I don't want to be the one)
You've got to live and learn
(To tell you how it's gotta be)
Before your bridges burn
(Livin' is the only way)
You've got to live and learn
(That you're ever gonna see)

(Large) If large is how ya livin'
Why you're livin' large, are you takin' what is given
To you, in the form of true experience
'Cause if you're not your whole life could be spent
Doin' time for a crime you say you didn't even do
The only fool that you're foolin' is the fool that is you
Didn't even turn around to check and see if your bridge is burnin'
I guess it's true what they say that without livin' there's no learnin'

And this is from the J, the O, and the E

Mary, Mary, Mary, it's quite contrary
Yo', how did you earn your dough
You didn't finish school, you ain't got no job
But to the human eye it's pretty simple
You're always talkin' about what you want is respect
But never thinkin' about the little boy you neglect
Spendin' his formative years in a livin' hell
Not realizin' one day he'd end up in jail
Now on the other hand, there's Dan my man
Who planned a scam and I'll be damned
It was the ultimate flim flam
He was sayin' that it was easy as pie
But little did Dan know he was about to die

You've got to live and learn
(I don't want to be the one)
You've got to live and learn
(To tell you how it's gotta be)
Before your bridges burn
(Livin' is the only way)
You've got to live and learn
(That you're ever gonna see)

You've got to live and learn
(I don't want to be the one)
You've got to live and learn
(To tell you how it's gotta be)
Before your bridges burn
(Livin' is the only way)
You've got to live and learn
(That you're ever gonna see)

You've got to live and learn
(I don't want to be the one)




You've got to live and learn
(To tell you how it's gotta be)

Overall Meaning

Joe Public's song "Live & Learn" is a motivational anthem that tells listeners the importance of gaining wisdom from our mistakes to avoid future regret. The lyrics praise life experience as a valuable teacher and urge people to learn from their experiences before it's too late. The song begins by stating that everyone will die eventually, and that is why one must live and learn. The subject is not to be ignored because people often overlook the value of experiences that have the potential to teach them a lot about life.


The song contains several stories that highlight the importance of living and learning. One story talks about how being treated coldly can lead to a child growing up as a bully, and another story talks about a man who planned a scam, and the plan ended up killing him. The song also talks about the negative aspects of life, but it emphasizes the importance of being positive and learning from negative experiences, rather than letting them overpower us.


The chorus repeats the line "You've got to live and learn," emphasizing the message of the song. Joe Public also advises against ignoring our problems and damaging our relationships, but instead, we need to take responsibility for our actions and learn from them.


Line by Line Meaning

You've got to live and learn
It's important to gain experience and knowledge through life's lessons.


You've got to live and learn
Reiterating the importance of learning through life experiences.


Before your bridges burn
Learn from mistakes before it's too late and relationships are destroyed.


You've got to live and learn
Final reminder of the importance of learning from life's lessons.


Here's a little story about life
An introduction to the idea of the song - learning lessons in life.


Everybody that lives surely dies
A statement on the inevitability of death.


A lot of people ask the questions why
The curiosity about the meaning of life is common.


Some people have to go through so much more
Intensity of life experiences vary between individuals.


Before they really learn about life's score
People often don't understand life's purpose until later in life.


The subject is not to be ignored
The importance of discussing the meaning of life is emphasized.


I don't want to be the one
The singer doesn't want to force his views on others.


To tell you how it's gotta be
He doesn't want to dictate how others should live their life.


Livin' is the only way
The only way to truly understand life is to live through experiences.


You're ever really gonna see
Only then can a person gain true insight into the world.


There's so much wrong and negativity
Negativity is pervasive in the world.


Enough for the whole world to see
It's evident to everyone.


I know there's still a possibility
Despite negativity, a positive change is still possible.


You raise a little kid, he turns out bold
Parents can have a big influence on their children's development.


It may be from the way you treat him cold
Children may react to negative or indifferent treatment.


I guess that's how the story's told
This common pattern is recognized.


If large is how ya livin'
If you're living extravagantly...


Why you're livin' large, are you takin' what is given
...Consider whether you're gaining wealth ethically or through exploitation.


To you, in the form of true experience
True experience is the most valuable form of wealth.


'Cause if you're not your whole life could be spent
Not gaining true experience risks a wasted life.


Doin' time for a crime you say you didn't even do
Not learning the consequences of actions can lead to regret.


The only fool that you're foolin' is the fool that is you
Failing to learn from experience is self-deception.


Didn't even turn around to check and see if your bridge is burnin'
Ignoring the consequences of actions can lead to lost relationships.


I guess it's true what they say that without livin' there's no learnin'
The singer agrees that true understanding only comes from experience.


Mary, Mary, Mary, it's quite contrary
A reference to the nursery rhyme character.


Yo', how did you earn your dough
How did you make your money?


You didn't finish school, you ain't got no job
A lack of traditional education and employment is apparent.


But to the human eye it's pretty simple
The situation seems straightforward.


You're always talkin' about what you want is respect
Mary values respect.


But never thinkin' about the little boy you neglect
But she neglects the needs of her child.


Spendin' his formative years in a livin' hell
Her child is suffering due to Mary's neglect.


Not realizin' one day he'd end up in jail
The negative effects of neglect can have long-lasting consequences.


Now on the other hand, there's Dan my man
Introducing another example.


Who planned a scam and I'll be damned
Dan has an illegal scheme.


It was the ultimate flim flam
The scheme was elaborate and deceitful.


He was sayin' that it was easy as pie
Dan thought it would be easy.


But little did Dan know he was about to die
Dan would soon experience the consequences of his actions.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CIARAN MARION BRENNAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ayeshiawyatt8654

My uncle Dwight is the drummer in this group! So happy to see all the positive comments about this song 🤗❤️ much love y'all

@jonmac2278

this song has taught me a lot. This is very strong but kids these days just don't care because there is no positive influences happening right now

@leesmits9573

Great Funk is timeless!!!

@stevedizzle007

This is a classic. They're from my home town of Buffalo, NY.

@ziweiyuan

It's absolutely one of the best new jack songs of the whole era, and it deserves a lot more airplay and credit than it gets.

@JenX_1973

Ayeshia Wyatt That is awesome! Many memories of jamming to this while cruising the strip in our city of Charleston, WV!! 1992, I was finishing up my 2nd year of college. This song always puts a smile on my face! Great song, great lyrics, these guys were the real deal! Please tell your uncle I said "Hey," and "Love this song!!!" Hope you both have a wonderful evening!

272 More Replies...

@HannibalHector714

This generation will never understand how DOPE the 90's were. ✌🏾😎

@HoldmyApplejuice

But crush 40's live and learn is epic

@chrisstrijbosch9318

you said it, oldskool not all this twerk bullshit and and how mtv has become nothing it pure world it was

@firstclass82ad79

They Never will

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