Gaga's five succeeding studio albums all debuted atop the US Billboard 200. Her second full-length album, Born This Way (2011), explored electronic rock and techno-pop and sold more than one million copies in its first week. The title track became the fastest-selling song on the iTunes Store, with over one million downloads in less than a week. Following her EDM-influenced third album, Artpop (2013), and its lead single "Applause", Gaga released the jazz album Cheek to Cheek (2014) with Tony Bennett, and the soft rock album Joanne (2016). She ventured into acting, winning awards for her leading roles in the miniseries American Horror Story: Hotel (2015β2016) and the musical film A Star Is Born (2018). Her contributions to the latter's soundtrack, which spawned the chart-topping single "Shallow", made her the first woman to win an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award and Grammy Award in one year. Gaga returned to dance-pop with her sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020), which yielded the number-one single "Rain on Me". She followed this with her second collaborative album with Bennett, Love for Sale, and a starring role in the biopic House of Gucci, both in 2021.
Having sold an estimated 170 million records, Gaga is one of the world's best-selling music artists and the only female artist to achieve four singles that each sold at least 10 million copies globally. Her accolades include 13 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, 18 MTV Video Music Awards, awards from the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and recognition as Billboard's Artist of the Year (2010) and Woman of the Year (2015). She has also been included in several Forbes' power rankings and ranked fourth on VH1's Greatest Women in Music (2012). Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2010 and 2019 and placed her on their All-Time 100 Fashion Icons list. Her philanthropy and activism focus on mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights; she has her own non-profit organization, the Born This Way Foundation, which supports the wellness of young people. Gaga's business ventures include Haus Labs, a vegan cosmetics brand launched in 2019.
Jewels N' *****
Lady Gaga Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time ta take off partna, alright
Hustle Gang, uh huh, G-D-O-G
Get your doe or die partna
Yup, let's go
Still Bankhead, shawty, yeah you know what it is
Pockets full of number of rubber bands and bills
Was finna do a deal about 60 mill
You ain't live that life, you perpetrating
You wasn't really trapping circling birds of prey
You ain't have to beat no murder case
Man, you probably couldn't get a ho any day
'Round my way can't get murder planned
Ain't no hoop, play dirty, man
Put some through your jersey, man
If your partner want some we can do it again
Okay, H-U-S-T-L-E G-A-N-G, yeah wait
Yeah, pull up, pull up, hop out, hop out
All about the dollar, better go ahead, Gaga
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
I admit that my habit's expensive
And you may find it, quite offensive
But I won't die at the hands of another
I'm your mother, sister, your father, brother
This family is stupid attractive
If you've surveyed the way we've acted
Keep it coming, I'm coming around like your friend now
I think you should shut up and sit down
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
E'verbody want that money what you want
High as hell trying to have some fucking fun
You don't need 'em but the diamonds make it shine
Tried to kick it just can't find the time
It's the middle of the week, this ain't even the weekend
Red carpet events, every time you see pimps
It's good pussy in the passenger seat
My lil' homies hang with me, I be passing 'em freaks
Jewels n' drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em, if you wanna be bad
Slap honey on a young pancake
We know how to make that money
Jewels n' drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em, if you wanna be bad
Ain't nothin' if it ain't family
We know how to make that money
Come and show me the gateway into your love
I feel like the money could never do it like the club
I feel like a diamond can never do it like a drug
And I want it so come on and take it with me so that I can hit it
I can admit it, I'm influenced by desire when I approach her
I try to provoke her by giving money and jewelry and accessories
Instead of the recipe with a legacy of taking her to another place when I get it
Hold up
Twista going in warp speed breaking atoms
Blowing O.G. has got me creating anti matter
Let her pop it and smoke on it with me now
I got her because she ready to party and then move to the club
Because you know the way I think is an anomaly
And I'ma be strange as Lady Gaga
Probably
A dollar be the business
But I'd rather be in an outer dimension when I be talking about jewels n' drugs
Jewels n' drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em, if you wanna be bad
Slap honey on a young pancake
We know how to make that money
Jewels n' drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em, if you wanna be bad
Ain't nothin' if it ain't family
We know how to make that money
Lady Gaga's song Jewels N' Drugs is a hip hop track that delves into the world of hustling, drugs and the desire for love. The beginning of the song sets the tone for the entire theme, as it speaks of the importance of hustling hard and making money to survive in the game, coming from a background of hard circumstances or poverty. The lyrics, βStill Bankhead, shawty, yeah you know what it is/Pockets full of number of rubber bands and billsβ, shows how the persona of the song has vast amounts of cash and can afford luxurious items such as diamonds, drugs, and jewelry. The singer talks about how she wants drugs rather than money or jewels, illustrating the intense desire for a high that only drugs can provide at that point in time. She explains she won't let anyone else have power over her or her life, as βI won't die at the hands of another/I'm your mother, sister, your father, brother.β
The chorus repeats multiple times throughout the song, as it has a simple and catchy melody. The message behind the chorus can be interpreted as the persona of the song desiring love and the euphoria that comes with escaping reality, wanting to be lost in the moment by using drugs to achieve it. Twista's rap brings a more fast-paced and upbeat vibe to the track, as he talks about his love for marijuana and the need to vibe with the people around him. Overall, the song showcases a different side of Lady Gaga's musical style, as she collaborates with various hip hop artists to produce a single that combines catchy hooks, beats, and lyrics that explore the world of hustling and counterculture.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, it's about that time, yeah
It's time to get down to business
Time ta take off partna, alright
Get ready to hustle and make some money
Hustle Gang, uh huh, G-D-O-G
Referring to their group of business partners and associates
Get your doe or die partna
The imperative to succeed in business in order to survive
Yup, let's go
Let's get started on making money
Still Bankhead, shawty, yeah you know what it is
Referring to their rough neighborhood and its reputation
Pockets full of number of rubber bands and bills
Having large sums of cash on hand
Came up around that standard wheel
Growing up around criminal activity and poverty
Was finna do a deal about 60 mill
Planning to make a deal for millions of dollars
You ain't live that life, you perpetrating
Accusing someone of pretending to be something they're not
You wasn't really trapping circling birds of prey
Not having been involved in drug dealing and its dangers
You ain't have to beat no murder case
Not having been involved in criminal activity and its legal consequences
Man, you probably couldn't get a ho any day
Insulting someone's attractiveness and lack of success with women
'Round my way can't get murder planned
Reminding people that murder is not something to be taken lightly
Ain't no hoop, play dirty, man
In this dangerous environment, you have to be ruthless to survive
Put some through your jersey, man
Threatening to harm someone
If your partner want some we can do it again
Encouraging one's associates to retaliate against their enemies
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Suggesting that illicit substances are worth more than expensive jewelry
Don't want your money, want your love
The desire for genuine human connection in the midst of all this criminal activity
I admit that my habit's expensive
Acknowledging that drug addiction can be financially ruinous
And you may find it, quite offensive
Admitting that this lifestyle may not be attractive to everyone
But I won't die at the hands of another
Choosing to take responsibility for one's own life and decisions
I'm your mother, sister, your father, brother
Expressing unity with one's fellow humans
This family is stupid attractive
Despite the flaws of this lifestyle, there is a sense of community and loyalty among its members
If you've surveyed the way we've acted
Inviting others to observe and learn from their actions
Keep it coming, I'm coming around like your friend now
Encouraging others to keep the money flowing and suggesting the singer is a trustworthy ally
I think you should shut up and sit down
Asserting dominance over others
E'verbody want that money what you want
Noticing that everyone is after money, including themselves
High as hell trying to have some fucking fun
Choosing to indulge in drugs as a way to have a good time
You don't need 'em but the diamonds make it shine
Acknowledging that expensive jewelry can be a status symbol
Tried to kick it just can't find the time
Finding it difficult to step away from this lifestyle
It's the middle of the week, this ain't even the weekend
Acknowledging that there is no real difference between work and play
Red carpet events, every time you see pimps
Describing the flashy and ostentatious aspects of the lifestyle
It's good pussy in the passenger seat
Boasting about one's sexual conquests
My lil' homies hang with me, I be passing 'em freaks
Sharing one's wealth and power with their associates
Come and show me the gateway into your love
Desiring genuine love from another person
I feel like the money could never do it like the club
Suggesting that material wealth cannot compare to the excitement of the nightlife
I feel like a diamond can never do it like a drug
Suggesting that illicit substances are more pleasurable than expensive jewelry
And I want it so come on and take it with me so that I can hit it
Asking another person to indulge in drugs with them
I can admit it, I'm influenced by desire when I approach her
Acknowledging the role of desire in one's behavior
I try to provoke her by giving money and jewelry and accessories
Using wealth to try and impress and seduce someone
Instead of the recipe with a legacy of taking her to another place when I get it
Choosing not to engage in meaningful experiences with others, instead focusing on material goods
Hold up
Taking a pause
Twista going in warp speed breaking atoms
Referring to the fast-paced lifestyle, with drugs and money flowing quickly
Blowing O.G. has got me creating anti matter
Using drugs to fuel one's creativity and ambition
Let her pop it and smoke on it with me now
Asking someone to indulge in drugs with them
I got her because she ready to party and then move to the club
Boasting about one's sexual prowess and access to desirable women
Because you know the way I think is an anomaly
Being aware that their lifestyle and way of thinking is unconventional
And I'ma be strange as Lady Gaga
Embracing one's uniqueness and individuality
Probably
Acknowledging uncertainty
A dollar be the business
Money is the main focus and motivation
But I'd rather be in an outer dimension when I be talking about jewels n' drugs
Imagining a different reality where life is not all about drugs and wealth
Jewels n' drugs, play that hustle
Referring to the drug trade and the need to make money
Smother 'em, if you wanna be bad
Suggesting that one must be willing to be forceful and ruthless to succeed
Slap honey on a young pancake
Flaunting one's sexual conquests and sexual prowess
We know how to make that money
Boasting about one's ability to make a lot of money
Ain't nothin' if it ain't family
Emphasizing the importance of their group of associates and partners
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stefani Germanotta, Clifford Harris, Carl Mitchell, Todd Shaw, Paul Blair, Nick Monson, Dino Zisis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nicholas
"Jewels N' Drugs"
Lady Gaga (Live at iTunes Festival 2013) ft. T.I., Too $hort, Twista
[Intro: T.I.]
Yeah
It's about that time, yeah, haha
Time to take off, partner, alright?
Hustle Gang, uh-huh, G-D-O-D
Get your doe or die, partner
Yup, leggo (Ayy)
[Verse 1: T.I.]
Still Bankhead, shawty, yeah, you know what it is
Pockets full of numbers, rubber bands, and bills
Came up from 'round, that's a Dandiville
They finna do a deal, about 60 mil'
You ain't lived that life, you perpetrate
You wasn't really trappin', servin' birds of yay
You ain't have to beat no murder case
Man, you probably couldn't get a O of every day
'Round my way, cats get murder planned
Ain't no rules, play dirty, man
Put somethin' through your jersey, man
If your partner want some, we can do it again
Okay, H-U-S-T-L-E
G-G-G-A-N-G, yeah, that way
Just pull up, pull up, hop out, hop out
All about the dollar, better go and ask Gaga
[Chorus: Lady Gaga]
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
[Verse 2: Lady Gaga]
I admit that my habit's expensive
And you may find it quite offensive
But I won't die at the hands of another
I'm your mother, sister, your father, brother
This family is stupid attractive
If you've surveyed the way we've acted
Keep it comin', I'm comin' around like your friend now
I think you should shut up and sit down
[Chorus: Lady Gaga]
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
Don't want your jewels, I want your drugs
Want your jewels, I want your drugs
Don't want your money, want your love
[Verse 3: Too $hort]
Everybody want that money, what you want?
High as hell, tryna have some fuckin' fun
I don't need 'em, but the diamonds make it shine (Shine)
Tried to kick it, just can't find the time
It's the middle of the week, this ain't even the weekend
Red carpet events, every time you see pimps
It's good pussy in the passenger seat
My lil' homies hang with me, I be passin' 'em freaks (Bitch)
[Bridge: Lady Gaga]
Jewels and drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em if you wanna be bad
Slap honey on a young pancake
We know how to make that money
Jewels and drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em if you wanna be bad
Ain't nothin' if it ain't family
We know how to make that money
[Verse 4: Twista]
Come and show me the gateway into your love
I feel like the money can never do it like the club
And I feel like a diamond can never do it like a drug
And I want it so come on and take it with me so that I can hit it
I can admit it, I'm influenced by desire when I approach her
I try to provoke her by givin' money and jewelry and accessories
Instead of the recipe of a legacy of takin' her to another place when I get it
Hold up
Twista be goin' in warp speed, breakin' atoms
Blowin' O.G. has got me creating antimatter
Let her pop it and smoke on it with me, now I got her
Because she be ready to party and then move to the club (Yes)
Because you know the way I think is an anomaly
And I'ma be strange as Lady Gaga
Probably a dollar be the business
But I'd rather be in an outer dimension when I be talkin' about jewels and drugs
[Outro: Lady Gaga]
Jewels and drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em if you wanna be bad
Slap honey on a young pancake
We know how to make that money
Jewels and drugs, play that hustle
Smother 'em if you wanna be bad
Ain't nothin; if it ain't family
We know how to make that money
The Butterfly Vault
this performance is so ICONIC π© i hope thereβs a way yβall can find the backdrops they used for this sometime
Curtis J. Barkhouse
Swine and sexxx dreams ones have been out for a while
Lindsey Carribean
Great collabo. She's comfortable in any style and she's good at it. She's not afraid to do something different.
Jonah Edward
This is the best version of the song, the DJ white shadow track is much stronger here and even has its own segment, I feel as though the itunes festival was the true ArtPop
TΓΊlio SΓ‘
Taking in consideration that almost all the demos she performed here got leaked, I think this is the real ARTPOP.
I feel like she performed demo versions to at least give us the real album sneak peek. Idk.
Seelehbratee
Pretty much the energy hear is strong even if youβre not in the crowd
Mayron Albino
Jewels n' Drugs it's an amazing song! I love it.
Chino Santos Jr.
From across the pond, T.I. They wouldn't let him into the country, poor thing.
Haus of Babylon
OMG I just read this when she said lol
Bo Peep
LMAOO