15 Minutes Away
K´naan Lyrics
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I'm sending this one out to anyone who's had to wait on a money transfer,
Yea its kinda whack when they charge you like 10 percent on the dollar
But you know how good it feels when they say
[Chorus]
You can pick it up today, its 15 minutes away.
You can pick it up today, its 15 minutes away.
You can pick it up today, its 15 minutes away.
The worst thing is the waiting man,
Its spiritually draining,
I guess I could repaint it, but don't think I'm complaining,
I'm in my small apartment,
This month has been the hardest
I couldn't afford some omelets,
I'm broke like an empty promise
Sometimes when im in a meeting, and everyone else is eating,
I feel so awkward asking, so I pretend like I am fasting,
My girl had paid my payments,
She wants to save my anus,
She says my loves contagious but my pride is so outrageous
She sent me Western Union, so I can make it doin'
It felt so good when she said write down this eleven digits
I go out to receive it, I'm desperate and I need it,
Feels like an angel's speaking, I can hardly believe it
[Chorus]
You finally got a cola, you met him in sarpola
A tourist with a dollar, he's some kind of a baller
Two babies in a stroller, and still he wants to hollar
He likes your Pepsi-Cola, but you ain't runnin' Lola
Brazil ain't nothin' easy, for Velez or fa sheezy
The sun would make you dizzy,
Workin' for something measly
These girls would make you trust em,
And sweetness is the custom,
But everyday they hustlin', everyday they hustlin',
John calls her with the number,
Home with her local lover,
Who was it that picked up the phone,
Oh that was just my brother
She goes out to receive it she's desperate and she needs it
Its like an angel speaking, she can barely believe it
[Chorus]
I got my confirmation,
The western union agent,
Said grandmas destination,
Had violent inclination
But now I'm proud and pacing,
And walking to the station,
Heavy precipitation,
But you cant me anything,
I got my bills in order,
I made it cross the border,
Such dazzles such a horror,
His life was like an Oprah,
Grandma I never forget you,
Worry I never let you,
Soon as I leave the venue,
This money I will send you,
I still haven't gone astray,
Don't drink or smoke and sway,
Though sometimes I don't pray,
It feels so good to say,
Go out and receive it,
Cause I just know you need it,
Your boy has grown up decent,
Grandma can you believe it?
[Chorus]
Yo let the beat ride out for a minute ima say somethin right quick to people.
I dont really do shout outs
But I'm gonna do a quick shout out to the people that helped me
When I was in need you know what I'm sayin',
The people who sent me things on Western Union what have you.
You know Mahama Yuisef takin care of us numerous times
When me and rezac stuck on the road somewhere.
Mr Jarvis Church who didnt even know about Western Union til he met me.
My wife Dedna helpin' out when we needed her, thank you baby.
Mr. solgai helpin out with my brothers bail money
Even before we been working together,
Thank you very much, orregato I appreciate it,
And now I'm sending money to people.
Generosity is the key, generosity is the key.
Thank you very much, it's K'Naan
In "15 Minutes Away," K'naan reflects on the experience of waiting for a money transfer through Western Union. He raps about the hardship and stress of not having enough money to even afford a meal, and the shame he feels when he must refuse food in social situations. The song also touches on themes of trust, family, and hope. Western Union becomes a kind of savior, representing help from loved ones and the possibility of meeting one's financial needs in a time of crisis.
As the song progresses, K'naan shifts the perspective to a woman receiving a transfer in Brazil, adding layers of complexity to the story. He emphasizes the struggle and uncertainty of living in a country with a notoriously unstable economy, but also brings in elements of humor with a man hitting on her in broken Portuguese. Finally, K'naan returns to his own situation, sharing his excitement and gratitude for finally receiving the transfer and being able to help his grandmother.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, I'm sending this one out to anyone who's had to wait on a money transfer,
The song is dedicated to anyone who has ever waited for a money transfer to go through.
Yea its kinda whack when they charge you like 10 percent on the dollar
It is frustrating when the money transfer company charges such a high percentage of the amount being transferred.
But you know how good it feels when they say / You can pick it up today, its 15 minutes away.
Despite the frustration, the feeling of receiving the transferred money within 15 minutes is a great relief.
The worst thing is the waiting man, / Its spiritually draining, / I guess I could repaint it, but don't think I'm complaining,
Waiting for the money transfer to go through can be a spiritually draining experience, but K'naan is not complaining about it.
I'm in my small apartment, / This month has been the hardest / I couldn't afford some omelets, / I'm broke like an empty promise
K'naan is struggling financially, unable to afford even basic necessities like omelets.
Sometimes when im in a meeting, and everyone else is eating, / I feel so awkward asking, so I pretend like I am fasting,
K'naan feels awkward when he cannot afford to eat with others and pretends to fast to avoid embarrassment.
My girl had paid my payments, / She wants to save my anus, / She says my loves contagious but my pride is so outrageous
K'naan's girlfriend has been supporting him financially, but he struggles with his pride and accepting help.
She sent me Western Union, so I can make it doin' / It felt so good when she said write down this eleven digits
K'naan's girlfriend sent him money via Western Union, and he feels relieved and grateful to receive it.
I got my confirmation, / The western union agent, / Said grandmas destination, / Had violent inclination
K'naan receives confirmation of the money transfer and is informed that it is for his grandmother, whose situation is difficult due to violence in her area.
Grandma I never forget you, / Worry I never let you, / Soon as I leave the venue, / This money I will send you,
K'naan promises to never forget his grandmother and will send her the money as soon as possible.
Yo let the beat ride out for a minute ima say somethin right quick to people. / I don't really do shout outs But I'm gonna do a quick shout out to the people that helped me
K'naan thanks the people who have helped him out in the past, including his wife, friends, and supporters.
Generosity is the key, generosity is the key.
K'naan emphasizes the importance of generosity toward others.
Thank you very much, it's K'Naan
K'naan signs off the song with a grateful message to his listeners.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN WEST, GERALD EATON, KEINAN WARSAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind