Their first album, "Straight Out the Jungle", was released on an independent label and featured a hip hop/house collaboration "I'll House You" produced by Todd Terry. In spite of the commercial failure of Straight Out the Jungle, Warner Brothers Records soon signed the group and released "Done By the Forces of Nature" in 1989. The album was a critical smash at the time, though it has since been largely ignored by hip hop critics, due to the similarly acclaimed fusion of jazz and rap "3 Feet High and Rising" by De La Soul being released the same year. Following a four year break, the Jungle Brothers returned in 1993 with "J Beez Wit the Remedy", another commercial disappointment. Their next album, "V.I.P." was produced by Alex Gifford of Propellerheads and, during production, they found time to add their vocal stylings to the Propellerheads tracks "Take California (And Party)" and "You Want It Back". In 2002 they released "All That We Do". In 2005, the Jungle Brothers released a "greatest hits" and "classic remixes & rarities" double-CD entitled "This Is…", which included remixes by The Wiseguys, Urban Takeover, Natural Born Chillers and Stereo MCs.
Done by the Forces of Nature
Jungle Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A man cooped up in a rubber room
Time's changin' time flies
Caterpillars turn into butterflies
A kitten grows up to be a tiger
I grows up to be a writer
Children grow through puberty
And then they reach maturity Metamorphasizms
The Force of Nature has gotten in them
In my book that comes first
Controls the soul and the universe
It's the Nature...
Blackman, Blackheart, Blacksoul
I was born to roll
Roll, like water in an open stream
Smooth as I can be
Tick Tock goes the hands of time
Time puts meanin' to my rhymes
Rhyme lets you know what's goin' on
What's goin' right and what's goin' wrong
Power, poor, rich, and weak
There is some science to what I speak
And if there wasn't, I could not face ya
'Cause this was brung...
By The Forces Of Nature
Take 5:
The Pharoah blows...
Tickle-tickle, trickle-trickle
You can't buy nature with a nickle
"Excuse me for a minute" (The Pharoah wipes his mouth)
"Can I get some of that saxophone"
- Mother Nature plays, the Pharoah likes -
Rainbows, Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Native Calls
Avalanches, tree with branches,
B. boys in their favorites stances
Ejaculation, menstruation
A prayer to GOD is a confrontation
Dirt and soil, gas and oil
Gold, copper, silver, tin foil
Love ya momma Mother Nature
But some act through as if they hate ya
Artificials, man-mades
They don't use lemon to make lemonades
Everything I see is 1/2 real
Zipped-locked, rapped up, signed and sealed
Gettin' ready to return back to the source
About to get Done By the Force...of Nature
Recess
Boy, girl, sister, brother
Wife, husband, friend, lover
You can't change what's meant to be
You can't hit what you can't see
IT'S EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO WALK THROUGH
THE EYE OF A NEEDLE
THAN FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER THE GATES OF HEAVEN
Treble, BASS, haste makes waste
Nature puts things in the right place
Hot, baked, carrot cake
In life there's many things at stake
Roads, places, avenues, streets
I'll walk a mile for a FUNK-E BEAT
I put these words in a special order
Because I was overcome by the FORCES OF NATURE
The Jungle Brothers' song "Done By the Forces of Nature" is a lyrical reflection on the cyclical nature of life and the role that nature plays in shaping our world. The opening lines of the song speak to the idea of birth and transformation, with the singer reflecting on their own growth from a helpless newborn to an accomplished writer. The song continues to touch on themes of change and metamorphosis, with lines like "Caterpillars turn into butterflies" and "Children grow through puberty and then they reach maturity."
The chorus of the song highlights the idea that the forces of nature are what control our world, with the singer proclaiming, "It's the Nature." There is a spiritual quality to the song as well, with references to God and prayer, and the idea that there is some higher power at work in the universe. There is also a sense of urgency to the lyrics, with the singer pointing out the ways in which humans have disrupted the natural world, and emphasizing the need to return "back to the source" before we are "Done By the Force...of Nature."
Overall, "Done By the Forces of Nature" is a thought-provoking and introspective song that encourages the listener to consider their place in the world and the impact that they have on it. It is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all things, and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Born buck-naked out my mother's womb
I came into the world with nothing, completely vulnerable and exposed.
A man cooped up in a rubber room
The world can be a restrictive and confining place, like being trapped in a mental institution.
Time's changin' time flies
The passing of time brings about changes and life moves quickly.
Caterpillars turn into butterflies
Transformation is a natural part of life and even the most unimpressive creatures have the potential to become beautiful.
A kitten grows up to be a tiger
Even small and innocent creatures can become powerful and imposing.
I grows up to be a writer
Just as animals grow and develop, people can also grow and fulfill their potential by using their talents and skills.
Children grow through puberty
The process of growing up is a natural and biological phenomenon that everyone experiences.
And then they reach maturity
Eventually, people grow and develop into adults who have learned life's lessons and possess wisdom.
Metamorphasizms
Changes and transformations are a part of nature and life.
The Force of Nature has gotten in them
Nature has a powerful impact on all living things and influences how they grow and change.
In my book that comes first
Nature is the most important force in the world and guides all living things.
Controls the soul and the universe
Nature has a powerful influence over everything in existence, from human emotions to celestial bodies.
It's the Nature...
Nature is a force to be reckoned with and deserves respect and admiration.
Blackman, Blackheart, Blacksoul
Regardless of skin color or background, everyone is affected by the power of nature and has the potential to grow and develop.
I was born to roll
My destiny is to continue to grow and evolve just like everything else in nature.
Roll, like water in an open stream
I will flow and adapt to the changes in life, just like water flows and adjusts to its surroundings.
Smooth as I can be
I will navigate life's challenges as seamlessly as possible.
Tick Tock goes the hands of time
Time is constantly ticking away and life is fleeting.
Time puts meanin' to my rhymes
The passage of time helps me to find purpose and meaning in my art and my life.
Rhyme lets you know what's goin' on
Through my art and my words, I hope to inform and educate others about the world around them.
What's goin' right and what's goin' wrong
I aim to highlight both the positive and negative aspects of the world and inspire others to work towards making it a better place.
Power, poor, rich, and weak
Nature and life affect everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status or power.
There is some science to what I speak
My words and ideas are grounded in real-world observations and experiences.
And if there wasn't, I could not face ya
I believe in honesty and authenticity, and wouldn't be able to express myself if I didn't feel that what I was saying was true.
'Cause this was brung...
These ideas and messages were brought to me by the power of nature and the world around me.
The Pharoah blows...
A new, mystical experience is about to take place.
Tickle-tickle, trickle-trickle
The sensation of the experience is unfamiliar and peculiar.
You can't buy nature with a nickle
The power and beauty of nature are priceless and cannot be bought or sold.
"Excuse me for a minute" (The Pharoah wipes his mouth)
The artist takes a moment to reflect on the unusual and powerful experience they are having.
"Can I get some of that saxophone"
The singer is moved by the music and wants to be a part of it.
- Mother Nature plays, the Pharoah likes -
The power and beauty of nature is on full display and the singer is drawn to it.
Rainbows, Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Native Calls
The natural world is filled with stunning beauty and awe-inspiring displays of power and force.
Avalanches, tree with branches, B. boys in their favorites stances
Nature affects all aspects of life, from the physical world to human expression and creativity.
Ejaculation, menstruation
Even the most intimate and personal aspects of human existence are influenced by the power of nature.
A prayer to GOD is a confrontation
Connecting with a higher power and acknowledging the power of the world around us can be a humbling and transformative experience.
Dirt and soil, gas and oil
Everything we consume and use in our lives ultimately comes from the earth and its natural resources.
Gold, copper, silver, tin foil
Even precious metals and items that we covet have their origins in the natural world.
Love ya momma Mother Nature
Nature is the source of all life and deserves our love and respect.
But some act through as if they hate ya
Despite the power and beauty of nature, some people act recklessly and irresponsibly, causing harm to the environment and the world around them.
Artificials, man-mades
Human creations often come at the cost of natural resources and can have negative impacts on the environment.
They don't use lemon to make lemonades
Human creations are often made with artificial materials and processes, rather than using natural ingredients as nature intended.
Everything I see is 1/2 real
Even man-made objects and creations are ultimately interconnected with the natural world and have a degree of natural influence and impact.
Zipped-locked, rapped up, signed and sealed
Even objects that seem independent and closed off are ultimately affected by and influenced by the natural world in some way.
Gettin' ready to return back to the source
Everything in existence ultimately returns to the natural world and becomes a part of the cycle of life.
About to get Done By the Force...of Nature
The ultimate power and force in the world is the power of nature, and all things are ultimately influenced and shaped by it.
Boy, girl, sister, brother, Wife, husband, friend, lover
All people, regardless of gender or relationship, are a part of the natural world and are influenced by its power and beauty.
You can't change what's meant to be
Some things in life are predetermined or influenced by forces beyond our control.
You can't hit what you can't see
Sometimes, we cannot anticipate or prepare for things that are beyond our understanding or perception.
IT'S EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO WALK THROUGH
It can be difficult or impossible to accomplish something that seems unlikely or impossible.
THE EYE OF A NEEDLE
A tiny, narrow opening that requires precision and skill to navigate.
THAN FOR A RICH MAN TO ENTER THE GATES OF HEAVEN
Achieving true goodness and fulfillment in life is not something that can be bought or purchased with riches.
Treble, BASS, haste makes waste
Even in the world of music and sound, nature has a powerful impact and influence.
Nature puts things in the right place
Ultimately, nature has a way of working things out and putting things in their proper place and balance.
Hot, baked, carrot cake
Nature provides us with sustenance and nourishment that is both delicious and healthy.
In life there's many things at stake
Every action and decision we make can have important and lasting consequences.
Roads, places, avenues, streets
Everything we build and create is ultimately a reflection of the natural world and its influence on us.
I'll walk a mile for a FUNK-E BEAT
Music has the power to move us and inspire us, connecting us to something deeper and greater than ourselves.
I put these words in a special order
The words and ideas expressed are carefully crafted and placed in order to convey a powerful and meaningful message.
Because I was overcome by the FORCES OF NATURE
Ultimately, everything we do and say is influenced by the power and beauty of the natural world around us.
Contributed by Adrian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.