You Are
L.L.C. Lyrics

(I reminisce, I reminisce-nisce)
I take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the past

(I reminisce)
I dwell on the memories and experiences I cherish

I reminisce for a spell, or shall I say think back (yeah)
I take a moment to think back and reflect on the past

Twenty-two years ago to keep it on track (uh-huh)
Exactly twenty-two years ago, to be precise

The birth of a child on the eighth of October (it's like that)
A child was born on October 8th, an important event

A toast but my granddaddy came sober (crazy facts)
We celebrated, but surprisingly, my grandfather was sober

Countin' all the fingers and the toes
Making sure the baby is healthy and complete

Now I suppose (uh), you hope the little black boy grows, huh (yeah)
I assume you have hopes and dreams for this young black boy's future

Eighteen years younger than my mama (mama)
I am eighteen years younger than my mother

But I really got beatings 'cause the girl loved drama (yeah)
I often got punishment for my mischievous behavior due to my mother's love for drama

In single parenthood there I stood (uh)
I found myself in the situation of being raised by a single parent

By the time she was twenty-one, had another one (yeah)
When my mother turned twenty-one, she had another child

This one's a girl (what?), Let's name her Pam
The second child was a girl, and her name is Pamela

Same father as the first but you don't give a damn (alright)
She has the same father as me, but you don't seem to care

Irresponsible, plain not thinking (yeah)
He is reckless and doesn't think about the consequences

Papa said, 'Chill' but the brother keep winking (uh-huh)
My father advised him to calm down, but he keeps flirting

Still he won't down you or tear out your hide (right)
He won't criticize you or cause harm

On your side while the baby maker slide (slide)
He supports you while engaging in promiscuous activities

But mama got wise to the game (uh)
But my mother became aware of his actions

The youngest of five kids, hon' here it is (yeah)
I am the youngest of five children, here's the situation

After ten years without no spouse (yeah)
After ten years of being single

Momma's gettin' married in the house (word?), Listen
Mom is planning to get married, pay attention

Positive over negative for the women to master
Choosing positivity over negativity for women to thrive

Mother queen's risin' a chapter (yeah)
The mother figure is progressing in her life

Déjà vu, tell you what I'm gonna do (do it)
I have a feeling of déjà vu, let me tell you what I plan to do

When they reminisce over you, my God
When people remember and talk about you, it's a heartfelt feeling

It's so
It's incredibly

Yeah, so lovely
Yeah, it's absolutely beautiful

That's how we like to do it in the 90s
This is the way we enjoy things in the 90s

Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth comin' atcha
Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth are presenting this to you

When I date back I recall a man off the family tree
As I look back, I remember a man from my family history

My right hand Poppa doc I see (woo)
I see my trusted and reliable friend, Poppa Doc

Took me from a boy to a man so I always had a father
He played a significant role in my life, guiding me from childhood to adulthood

When my biological didn't bother (yeah)
When my biological father wasn't present or concerned

Taking care of this, so who am I to bicker? (bicker)
He took care of me, so I have no reason to argue or complain

Not a bad ticker but I'm clocking Pop's liver (yeah)
I don't have a bad heart, but I'm monitoring my father's liver

But you can never say that his life is through (uh-huh)
But you can never claim that his life is over

Five kids at twenty-one, believe he got a right to (that's right)
Having five children by the age of twenty-one, he certainly has the right to

Here we go while I check the scene
Now let's move forward as I assess the situation

With the Portuguese lover at the age of fourteen (tell 'em)
Being involved with a Portuguese lover when I was just fourteen years old

The same age, front page, no fuss
We were both the same age, making headlines without any trouble

But I bet you all your dough, they live longer than us (that's right)
I bet you all your money that they have a longer lifespan than us

Never been senile, that's where you're wrong (uh-huh)
They have never shown signs of mental decline, that's a misconception

But give the man a taste and he's gone
But if you give the man a sip of alcohol, he will be immediately intoxicated

Noddin' off, sleep to a jazz tune
Falling asleep while listening to a jazz song

I can hear his head banging on the wall in the next room
I can hear him banging his head against the wall in the adjacent room

I get the pillow and hope I don't wake him (yeah)
I grab a pillow and hope I don't disturb his sleep

For this man to cuss, hear it all in verbatim (uh-huh)
For this man to start cursing, I can hear every word clearly

Telling me how to raise my boy unless he's taking over
He tells me how to raise my son, acting as if he's taking full control

I said, 'Pop maybe when you're older' (older)
I tell him, 'Dad, maybe when you're older'

We laughed all night about the hookers at the party (ahh)
We laughed throughout the entire night, reminiscing about the prostitutes at the party

My old man standing yelling, 'Good God, Almighty' (uh-huh)
My father, standing and shouting, exclaiming 'Good God, Almighty'

Use your condom, take sips of the brew (that's right)
He advises me to use protection and drink alcohol responsibly

When they reminisce over you, for real
When people remember and talk about you with deep sincerity

For real, baby
Truly, my dear

Like that
Exactly like that

We for real
We are genuinely serious

Comin' atcha
Presenting it to you

In '92
In the year 1992

Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Pete Rock and CL Smooth, the artists behind this song

Yeah, c'mon, hit me
Yes, come on, give me your attention

I reminisce so you never forget this
I reflect on the past so that you never forget these memories

The days of way-back, so many bear witness the fitness (yeah)
The good old days that many witnessed and experienced

Take the first letter out of each word in this joint
Remove the first letter from each word in this song

Listen close as I prove my point (my point)
Pay close attention as I demonstrate and support my argument

T to the R the-O-Y, how did you and I meet?
T-R-O-Y, how did you and I meet?

In front of Big Lou's, fighting in the street (street)
We met in front of Big Lou's, engaging in a fight on the street

But only you saw what took many time to see
But only you witnessed what took others a longer time to realize

I dedicate this to you for believing in me (uh)
I dedicate this song to you for having faith in me

Rain or shine, yes, in any weather (yeah)
Through all conditions and circumstances

My Grandma Pam holds the family together (uh-huh)
My grandmother Pam is the glue that keeps the family united

My Uncle Doc's the greatest, better yet the latest
My uncle Doc is the greatest, always up to date

If we're talking 'bout a car, Uncle Sterling got the latest (yeah)
If we're discussing cars, my Uncle Sterling always has the newest one

I strive to be live 'cause I got no choice
I strive to live life to the fullest because I have no other option

And run my own business like my Aunt Joyce (yeah)
And manage my own business, just like my Aunt Joyce

So Pete Rock hit me, nuff respect due (uh-huh)
So Pete Rock contacted me, showing the utmost respect

When they reminisce over you, listen
When people remember and talk about you, pay attention

Listen, just listen
Listen carefully, only listen

To the funky song as I rock on
To the groovy song as I continue to perform

And that's word is bond
And that's a promise, it's true

I'm not playin'
I'm not joking

Everybody, just coolin'
Everybody, just relaxing and enjoying themselves

This song we dedicate
We dedicate this song

To the one and only
To the unique and irreplaceable

Never be another
There will never be someone else like them

He was my brother
He was like a brother to me

Trouble T-Roy
Referencing the late Trouble T-Roy, who is being honored

It's like that y'all
That's just how it is, everybody

And you don't stop
And the music continues

Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth for '92
Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth in 1992

And we out, later
And we're done, farewell