The song calls for giving and caring as that is the best way to get respect and love from others, willingness to give is the key to happiness.
Take A Minute
K'naan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday
When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way
How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all
Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall
It's to give; I guess I'll pass it on
Mother thinks it'll lift the stress of Babylon
Mother knows, my mother she suffered blows
I don't know how we survived such violent episodes
I was so worried, and hurt to see you bleed
But as soon as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets
Yeah, they try to take you from me
But you still only gave 'em some prayers and sympathy
Dear mama, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
All I can say is the worst is over now
We can serve the hard times, divorce is over now
They try to keep us out, but they doors is open now
My nigga Akon is getting awards for covers now
This is K'naan, and still reppin' the S
Comin' out of Mogadishu and still draped in the mess
And no matter how we strong, homie
It ain't easy coming out of where we from, homie
And that's the reason why, I could never play for me
Tell 'em the truth, is what my dead homies told me
Oh yeah, I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations
Creating medication out my own tribulations
Dear Africa, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
Nothing is perfect man, that's what the world is
All I know is
I'm enjoying today
You know, 'cause it isn't everybody that you get to give
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
In K'naan's song "Take A Minute," he reflects on the struggles and hardships he has faced in his life and how he found inspiration in those experiences. He recognizes that he doesn't know everything, but he knows that giving and helping others is priceless. He pays tribute to great leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Gandhi, who overcame injustice and suffering through their commitment to giving back rather than seeking power or money. K'naan also reflects on his own experiences growing up in Mogadishu and the challenges he faced, but he remains hopeful for the future.
The lyrics of this song speak to the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. K'naan acknowledges that life is far from perfect, but he chooses to focus on the positive and the moments of joy he can find. The chorus, "I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride, I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze," suggests that he is taking a moment to pause and appreciate the good things in life, in contrast to the hurt he has felt in the past.
Ultimately, "Take A Minute" is a call to action to make a difference in the world through giving and helping others, and to find inspiration in the most difficult of circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
Just because a man thinks he knows something, it doesn't mean he knows everything.
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
Whenever I am feeling hopeless and giving up, I remind myself of the pain I have felt in the past and use it to push myself forward.
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I just need a moment to relax and not worry about everything going on.
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I am going to take a break and enjoy the peacefulness of the moment.
All I can say is the worst is over now
I am grateful that I have overcome the worst of my troubles.
They try to keep us out, but they doors is open now
People have tried to prevent us from succeeding, but now we have opportunities to achieve our goals.
This is K'naan, and still reppin' the S
I am still proudly representing my hometown, Somalia.
And no matter how we strong, homie
No matter how tough we may seem, it is not easy to overcome the hardships of our lives.
It ain't easy coming out of where we from, homie
Growing up in difficult circumstances has made it challenging to succeed in life.
Nothing is perfect man, that's what the world is
The world is not perfect, and that is just how it is.
All I know is I'm enjoying today
I am grateful for this moment and focusing on enjoying it.
You know, 'cause it isn't everybody that you get to give
I know that not everyone has the chance to give in the way that I do, and that makes it even more special.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: BRIAN WEST, GERALD EATON, KEINAN WARSAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alfieproctor2026
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday
When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way
How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all
Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall
It's to give; I guess I'll pass it on
Mother thinks it'll lift the stress of Babylon
Mother knows, my mother she suffered blows
I don't know how we survived such violent episodes
I was so worried, and hurt to see you bleed
But as soon as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets
Yeah, they try to take you from me
But you still only gave 'em some prayers and sympathy
Dear mama, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
All I can say is the worst is over now
We can serve the hard times, divorce is over now
They try to keep us out, but they doors is open now
My nigga Akon is getting awards for covers now
This is K'naan, and still reppin' the S
Comin' out of Mogadishu and still draped in the mess
And no matter how we strong, homie
It ain't easy coming out of where we from, homie
And that's the reason why, I could never play for me
Tell 'em the truth, is what my dead homies told me
Oh yeah, I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations
Creating medication out my own tribulations
Dear Africa, you helped me write this, by showing me to give is priceless
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
Nothing is perfect man, that's what the world is
All I know is
I'm enjoying today
You know, 'cause it isn't everybody that you get to give
And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt and I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
@giauhuynhj263
Can we get K'naan to sing the 2022 World's Cup? No one has come close to what he did!🤗
@Psychedelicacy_Thefairydragon
if we make it there lol jk
@Happygrowercbris420
I agree ❤️
@audioprism1524
@@Psychedelicacy_Thefairydragon we will :)
@damirpan18
@@Psychedelicacy_Thefairydragon hahahahaha ture that
@roy3271
Dani Tranquility be positive bro ..we will make it
@NighmareRS
I love all my Somali brothers and sisters. Sending love straight from Palestine. One love 🇵🇸🇸🇴
@aidygooner
Sending my love to the Palestinian people. One day, maybe one day in our lives the Palestinians will be liberated from these scummy, spoilt, land thieves.
@i.simply9225
Somalis love Palestinians so much, we pray for your independence and freedom and peace inshallah❤️
@sharmaadheere446
Love you too brother ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼