This Way
Kanye West/Dilated Peoples Feat. Kanye West Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now turn it up, turn it up (a little louder)
Turn it uup, turn it up (little louder)
Now turn it up (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
Now turn it up, turn it up

(Yeah) Yo, I can't live my I, I can't live my
Life this way, continuously get high
Instead of runnin 'round, lock one bird down
It's a new day gotta do it big just to get right
Show no respect can't live that way
You hold my check can't live that way
Without my chick on deck, can't live that way
They say what they like, but I've been that way
Our moves calculated through the lens, almost here
Success will be the best revenge
Man, from Clint East' to Kanye West (whut up, whut up!)
The sun can't chill but everyday it sets (everyday!)

This time I made up my mind
This time I'm back on my prime
I know there's things in my life
That I'ma let go startin' tonight
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way

My favorite girl wanna leave me just because I got a girlfriend
My freak girl told me now, she a christian
My white girl wanna move back to Michigan
I'm pullin' girls off the bench like a sixth man
I'm in the club doin' the same ol' two step
While Omegas doin' the same ol' "Q" step
I have my money on my mind I was thinkin' green
She a pledge A.K.A. She was pink and green
I wanna a good girl she want a gentleman
We sayin' the same thing like a synonym
I wasn't really spittin' game I was scrimmaging
My penmanship's so hard it needs censorship
I'ma Chicagoan till Chicago ends
Till we blow like Chicago wind
I don't know what's better, gettin' laid or gettin' paid
I just know when I'm gettin one, the other's gettin' away
This way

This time I made up my mind
This time I'm back on my prime
I know there's things in my life
That I'ma let go startin' tonight
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way

Go 'head, flip a coin so the game don't stop
Believe I know the drama, kid name the part
I learnt before the hot flame came the spark
It's like before the pop fame came the park
But this industry'll play with yo' life man
They playin with yo' rent, food, water and lights man (yeah)
That's why Rakaa brings it like that ol' "Tidy T" jam
The battleram, then I'm off to Amsterdam
To rest up for strength to deal with this weight
To deal with these deals to deal with this hate
I dedicate this Jam Master Jay
Run-D.M.C. Showed me how to walk, this way

This time I made up my mind
This time I'm back on my prime
I know there's things in my life
That I'ma let go startin' tonight
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
(I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way (can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way (I can't live my, I, I can't live my)
This way, I can't live my, I, I can't live my
I can't live my life this way

This way
This way
This way, ay
This way
This way




This way
This way, ay

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kanye West's song This Way are about the search for happiness or fulfillment in life. The repetition of the phrase "I can't live my life this way" emphasizes the theme of dissatisfaction with the current state of life. Kanye talks about prioritizing his needs and wants, and making intentional decisions about who he surrounds himself with. He wants to let go of things that are holding him back and move forward with a clear mind. The reference to Jam Master Jay and Run-D.M.C. is a nod to the old-school hip-hop and the influence of these artists on Kanye's own music.


The chorus of the song is catchy and memorable, with a simple melody and rhythmic repetition. The verses are more wordy and contain numerous clever rhymes and metaphors, showing off Kanye's skilled wordplay. The use of different characters - the favorite girl, freak girl, and white girl - adds a layer of complexity to the song, as Kanye explores his relationships and desires.


Overall, This Way is a reflective and introspective song that encourages listeners to evaluate their own lives and make changes to find happiness and fulfillment.


Line by Line Meaning

Now turn it up, turn it up (a little louder)
Increase the volume (please)


(Yeah) Yo, I can't live my I, I can't live my
I cannot continue to exist in my current lifestyle


Life this way, continuously get high
I am constantly getting intoxicated and it's not sustainable


Instead of runnin 'round, lock one bird down
I should settle down with one woman rather than fooling around


It's a new day gotta do it big just to get right
I need to achieve great success to be happy


Show no respect can't live that way
I cannot tolerate disrespect from others


You hold my check can't live that way
I cannot let others control my finances


Without my chick on deck, can't live that way
I depend on my significant other for support in life


They say what they like, but I've been that way
People can say whatever they want, but I am who I am


Our moves calculated through the lens, almost here
Our decisions are being intelligently scrutinized and we are close to achieving our objectives


Success will be the best revenge
I will show my detractors by achieving success


Man, from Clint East' to Kanye West (whut up, whut up!)
My name is on par with that of legendary actor Clint Eastwood


The sun can't chill but everyday it sets (everyday!)
The sun is constantly busy and productive, but it still sets every day


My favorite girl wanna leave me just because I got a girlfriend
My lover wants to leave me because I have another girlfriend


My freak girl told me now, she a christian
My unconventional girlfriend is now devoted to her faith


My white girl wanna move back to Michigan
My Caucasian girlfriend wants to return to Michigan


I'm pullin' girls off the bench like a sixth man
I have many women at my disposal and can easily attract more


I have my money on my mind I was thinkin' green
I am focused on financial success and wealth


She a pledge A.K.A. She was pink and green
My girlfriend is a member of a sorority with pink and green colors


I wanna a good girl she want a gentleman
I seek a virtuous partner while she wants a chivalrous man


We sayin' the same thing like a synonym
We are expressing identical ideas like synonyms


I wasn't really spittin' game I was scrimmaging
I was practicing my flirting skills rather than actually trying to seduce someone


My penmanship's so hard it needs censorship
My writing is explicit and needs to be censored


I'ma Chicagoan till Chicago ends
I am loyal to my hometown until the end of time


Till we blow like Chicago wind
Until we achieve massive success like a Chicago windstorm


I don't know what's better, gettin' laid or gettin' paid
I cannot decide whether sex or money is more satisfying


I just know when I'm gettin one, the other's gettin' away
When I am successful in one aspect of life, I tend to neglect the other


Go 'head, flip a coin so the game don't stop
Go ahead and make a decision so we can move forward


Believe I know the drama, kid name the part
I am experienced in dealing with drama and can identify different roles


It's like before the pop fame came the park
Before achieving widespread fame, I had humble beginnings in a park


But this industry'll play with yo' life man
The entertainment industry can have a negative impact on a person's life


They playin with yo' rent, food, water and lights man (yeah)
The industry can manipulate a person's financial stability, basic needs, and sanity


That's why Rakaa brings it like that ol' "Tidy T" jam
That's why Rakaa delivers his music with the same passion as Tidy T's hit song.


The battleram, then I'm off to Amsterdam
After putting in hard work, I'm going to Amsterdam to relax


To rest up for strength to deal with this weight
I need to rest and prepare myself to deal with the pressure and responsibility of my career


To deal with these deals to deal with this hate
I need to navigate the industry's deals and negativity with resilience


I dedicate this Jam Master Jay
This song is dedicated to the late Jam Master Jay of Run-D.M.C.


Run-D.M.C. Showed me how to walk, this way
I was inspired by Run-D.M.C.'s music and learned from their example


This time I made up my mind
I have finally made a decision


This time I'm back on my prime
I am in my prime again


I know there's things in my life
I am aware there are areas of my life that need improvement


That I'ma let go startin' tonight
I am making a commitment to let go of those areas starting tonight


This way
I want to live my life differently


This way, ay
I am emphasizing the significance of my intended changes




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMIE CAMERON, VELLA CAMERON, MICHAEL PERRETTA, RAKAA TAYLOR, KANYE WEST, CHRISTOPHER OROC, RAKAA W TAYLOR

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

PaperChaserDotCom

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The Fight Gods Show

Such a freaking classic. This track still hits hard in 2021.

Westbound Promo

Use to be on BET all the fkn time #classic vibes

Cg 2much

This is an old school hit 👍🏿

Dave Vargas

This song helped me get through a rough patch...much love fellas see you April 15 on my Bday!

Sirineu Antonio

Love this joint good memories when music was helping my mum giving me good advices.... Dilated Peoples drop another album please!...

BLAQK !

Straight CLASSIC.

Jim R

Wow...all these years later and I never knew it was John Legend on this track. Such a classic.

Alexander Agadzhanov

This is a masterpiece 🔥😭

Bergy TC24

Kanye always been ahead of his time

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