Language Arts Crew is a five-piece hip-hop group formed in the San Francisc… Read Full Bio ↴Language Arts Crew is a five-piece hip-hop group formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2001. Based in San Jose with a frontline of four MC’s and two heavy weight producers. Their style exhibits a lyrical depth, technique, and stage presence that has them on the cutting edge of the Bay Area underground hip-hop scene for the past three years. Their seven-inch single “Lazy Daze in California,” and full-length release ”Applied Knowledge” have both kept a stronghold in local record sales for several months despite the absence of label support. They have helped create a focal point for hip-hop fans along with a few other groups within San Jose’s relatively small music scene, giving an ever-growing head-count to a presently neglected circuit. They have also shared the stage with hip-hop Talents such as The Living Legends, The Visionaries, Sage Francis, Zion I, Aceylone, Ugly Duckling, Sacred Hoop, Hieroglyphics, Cali Agents, 2 Mex and The Earthlings. Their follow-up full-length album is expected to be released early 2008 and is predicted to meet fans with exponential success to its already well-received predecessor. Language Arts Crew continues to win the affection of crowds in their home town of San Jose and all across the west coast, bringing showmanship and a positive message to an increasingly supersaturated and mediocre hip-hop culture.

http://www.myspace.com/languageartscrew

9 To 5
Language Arts Crew Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, um, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life
What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Yeah
Wow, that's messed up

I tried slinging crack rock and I never had a jump shot. I got to find a job…

Pockets hanging out. I walk around this earth with the same smile

In and out of seven bucks, I wished I stayed around
Washed the taste out. Heard about this intellect survive
Paid to surface and deflect the hits or economy slides
Narrow death group. It's 7: 50 now. Shitty town
Watch me sit around all day and still ain't got it figured out
Bitter mouth from slaving the sweaty hour
Never taking a shower and stacking a fucking penny tower
Many tell us that's hard work but apart from the fact
That it takes money to make money—it's hard to get back
We're charging the trap, plus in large in our part of the map
Dabbling, magic making through music, depart from the past
Scraping bottom—the change in the couch will pay for the fallen
Blaming all of them blatantly and ballin'. Save us the comments
Uh, the days of the honest have came and gone, singin' the same song
Bringing the [?], the game is made as a pawn

I hate this job! I hate this goddamn job and I don't need it!

Yo, is this what I'm gonna have to take to the grave?
Or is this punishment for the mistakes that I made?
Yo, it's not, but if you stop, you get stuck in disgrace
And ripped off. It happens often—from dust to your coffin

Fuck the alarm clock—cheap shot to my job
While [?], large eyes, sporting morning hard cock
Swollen tongue. Dried saliva tastes like [?] rum
No deodorant as I step out into the molten sun
Caught in the idiot race. Lost in the infinite days
With pitiful slaves that piss on your grave for minimum wage
I wish I could scrape just a little of change
Take a fistful of fates to bang in exchange to break the chains, get rid of my reins
I hate my day job. I need a raise God dammit, these lil' fakers got my big toe in the trigger
This is the way west where pay checks can break necks
Sway belated state debts, space cadets, and trains wrecks
Age of Aquarius—save the kids and bury this
Fuck a terrorist—I'll give away into some scary shit
Swelling in a hellhole, it feels so bad
No helping hand, they sold my soul to the repo man

Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately
I wouldn't say I've been missing it

Yo, is this what I'm gonna have to take to the grave?
Or is this punishment for the mistakes that I made?
Yo, it's not, but if you stop, you get stuck in disgrace
And ripped off. It happens often—from dust to your coffin

Yo, raging torment. Money fails me. Work is all I see too often
These walls, I hear them speak, they say, "Get blocked in."
All contained inside this life. Drawn this comic drama series
Top competing amateurs, it seems so into Charlie's theories
There ain't no better half. There ain't no greener grass
There ain't no such thing as luck or even being fast
But you can see it's rad, but below the surface
Is it's underground—support beneath the floor is what its purpose is
I spent my time wrong. I'll spend my bucks worse
Tell me something's wrong with me, but call me up with pills at first
Yeah, there's a gift for that: it's time off and raises
This business is hatred. Jaw-deep in this matrix, though
Helping grow or let go
Ain't no bankroll in Mexico
So take both your bags and your hopes
But keep the death blow—a minimum wage and some max taxes
Clip that by burning the bridge with your last matchstick

We don't have a lot of time on this Earth. We weren't meant to spend it this way

It goes: lazy days in San Jo
I exercise my right
To walk the block broke, screaming, "Fuck a 9 to 5!"
Maybe I can stack some spare change by the weekend
Until then, I'll be known as the cheap friend who needs ends
I tend to panhandle—I got quarters to make
So I stand outside of businesses and buck corporate snakes
My portion of pay goes directly to my drinking habits
The other half falls out my pockets while I'm leaning back
Word's I wasn't put on this Earth to serve customers
Unless it's slinging my team's product (we were customers…)
Juggling money and music. Catch me bumbling stupid
Scribbling blueprints and plans to jumpstart this movement
None of us are slackers, man, that's the wrong term
We're all earning our spot, making this job long-term
I'll walk these busy streets as long as Earth exists
Sporting ripped plaid, faded blue jeans, and dirty kicks

Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day

Yo, is this what I'm gonna have to take to the grave?
Or is this punishment for the mistakes that I made?
Yo, it's not, but if you stop, you get stuck in disgrace
And ripped off. It happens often—from dust to your coffin

Look at me, jerking off in the shower. This will be the highlight of my day. It's all downhill from here

Overall Meaning

The song "9 To 5" by Language Arts Crew is a commentary on the dissatisfaction and suffocation experienced by people in the corporate world. The opening lines express the singer's despair at the repetitive and unfulfilling nature of their job. They feel like every day is worse than the one before, which is a feeling shared by many working individuals. The lyrics then delve into the options the singer feels they have - slinging crack rock or getting a job - both of which are unappealing but necessary choices for survival.

The verses alternate between the mundanity of the singer's everyday life, their struggles to make ends meet, and their desperation to break free from their dreary existence. The lyrics express a sense of hopelessness and frustration at the system and how it has failed them. The bridge quotes a famous line from the movie Office Space, "We weren't meant to spend it this way," emphasizing the waste of human potential in the corporate world.

Overall, the song manages to capture the reality of the struggle of the working-class, the feeling of being trapped in a system which provides little room for creative and personal growth. The song is a critique of capitalism and its inability to provide for the people it is supposed to serve.

Line by Line Meaning

So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, um, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life
As I sat in my cubicle, it dawned on me that each day of my working life has been more dreadful than the one before. Therefore, whenever you see me, it is during the absolute lowest point of my existence.

What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?
Could today possibly be the absolute nadir of your life?

Yeah
Yes, indeed

Wow, that's messed up
That is truly disturbing

I tried slinging crack rock and I never had a jump shot. I got to find a job...
I attempted to sell illegal drugs and failed to excel at basketball. Now I must look for legitimate employment...

Pockets hanging out. I walk around this earth with the same smile
My pockets are empty and I continue to traverse this world with a forced grin on my face

In and out of seven bucks, I wished I stayed around
I frequently experience financial instability, regretting not remaining in a more prosperous situation

Washed the taste out. Heard about this intellect survive
I washed away the bitter taste of dissatisfaction. I've heard stories of intelligent individuals who manage to thrive

Paid to surface and deflect the hits or economy slides
I receive payment to conceal my struggles and deflect blame when the economy declines

Narrow death group. It's 7: 50 now. Shitty town
We are part of a limited group of individuals whose lives are filled with despair. The current time is 7:50, within this horrible town

Watch me sit around all day and still ain't got it figured out
Observe as I spend my days sitting idle and yet remain clueless about the solutions

Bitter mouth from slaving the sweaty hour
My mouth is filled with bitterness from toiling exhaustingly

Never taking a shower and stacking a fucking penny tower
I neglect personal hygiene, and despite my efforts, I am only able to accumulate a minuscule amount of money

Many tell us that's hard work but apart from the fact That it takes money to make money—it's hard to get back
Many people claim that our struggles are the result of not working hard enough. However, the reality is that without access to initial funds, it's extremely difficult to recover financially

We're charging the trap, plus in large in our part of the map
We are actively trying to escape our oppressive circumstances within this location

Dabbling, magic making through music, depart from the past
We engage in music as a form of creative expression, hoping to break free from our previous experiences

Scraping bottom—the change in the couch will pay for the fallen
We are at the lowest point, relying on spare change found in the couch to cover our expenses

Blaming all of them blatantly and ballin'. Save us the comments
We openly accuse others of being responsible for our misfortunes, and we don't need any further remarks or criticisms

Uh, the days of the honest have came and gone, singin' the same song
The era of honesty and integrity has faded away, and we are left repeating the same lament

Bringing the [?], the game is made as a pawn
We expose the hidden truths, revealing that the system is designed to manipulate and exploit us

I hate this job! I hate this goddamn job and I don't need it!
I detest my current occupation! I despise this infuriating job, and I have no need for it!

Yo, is this what I'm gonna have to take to the grave? Or is this punishment for the mistakes that I made?
Am I destined to endure this misery until my death? Or is this suffering a consequence of the errors I've made in the past?

Yo, it's not, but if you stop, you get stuck in disgrace And ripped off. It happens often—from dust to your coffin
No, it's not the case, but if you give up, you become trapped in a state of shame and vulnerability. Being taken advantage of is a common occurrence, from the moment you're born until the day you die

Fuck the alarm clock—cheap shot to my job While [?], large eyes, sporting morning hard cock
I despise the alarm clock, as it is a cruel reminder of my work. In the morning, with tired, bloodshot eyes, I reluctantly begin the day

Swollen tongue. Dried saliva tastes like [?] rum No deodorant as I step out into the molten sun
My tongue feels swollen, and the taste of dried saliva resembles cheap rum. Without deodorant, I venture into the scorching sun

Caught in the idiot race. Lost in the infinite days With pitiful slaves that piss on your grave for minimum wage
I am trapped in an absurd, futile race, lost within an endless stream of days. Surrounded by fellow miserable workers who disrespect and exploit me for a meager wage

I wish I could scrape just a little of change Take a fistful of fates to bang in exchange to break the chains, get rid of my reins
I desperately desire to gather even the tiniest amount of money. If only I could seize a handful of favorable opportunities in order to free myself from my burdens and eliminate the constraints that hold me back

I hate my day job. I need a raise God dammit, these lil' fakers got my big toe in the trigger
I despise my mundane occupation. I urgently require a salary increase! These insincere individuals infuriate me, pushing me closer to the edge of my tolerance

This is the way west where pay checks can break necks Sway belated state debts, space cadets, and trains wrecks
In this western region, the pressure to earn a sufficient income can cause extreme stress. We find ourselves burdened with overdue governmental debts, lost in a daze, and navigating through chaotic situations

Age of Aquarius—save the kids and bury this Fuck a terrorist—I'll give away into some scary shit
In the era of the Age of Aquarius, let's protect the younger generation and put an end to this corrupt system. To hell with terrorists—I'll venture into even more terrifying situations

Swelling in a hellhole, it feels so bad No helping hand, they sold my soul to the repo man
I am trapped in a wretched and desolate place, overwhelmed with misery. There is no one to offer assistance, and it seems that my soul has been sold to the cruel repossessor

Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately I wouldn't say I've been missing it
It appears that you have been absent from work frequently. I wouldn't exactly say I have been longing for it

Yo, raging torment. Money fails me. Work is all I see too often
I am consumed by intense anguish. Financial resources constantly disappoint me. Work dominates my existence far too frequently

These walls, I hear them speak, they say, "Get blocked in."
The walls around me seem to communicate, proclaiming that I am confined and restricted

All contained inside this life. Drawn this comic drama series
We are trapped within the boundaries of our existence. Our lives resemble a sequential, exaggerated drama portrayed in comic book form

Top competing amateurs, it seems so into Charlie's theories
We, as aspiring individuals, find ourselves constantly striving for success, deeply immersed in the teachings and philosophies of Charlie

There ain't no better half. There ain't no greener grass
There is no ideal or superior alternative. There is no more favorable situation to pursue

There ain't no such thing as luck or even being fast
Luck does not exist, nor does the notion of achieving success quickly

But you can see it's rad, but below the surface Is it's underground—support beneath the floor is what its purpose is
Although it may appear appealing on the surface, its true essence lies in the underground realm. It serves to offer support beneath the very foundation

I spent my time wrong. I'll spend my bucks worse Tell me something's wrong with me, but call me up with pills at first
I have squandered my time in an unproductive manner. I will waste my money even more recklessly. People claim that something is inherently wrong with me, yet they are quick to offer pills as a remedy

Yeah, there's a gift for that: it's time off and raises This business is hatred. Jaw-deep in this matrix, though
Well, there is a supposed solution: granting me time away from work and salary increases. This business breeds animosity. I am completely immersed in this oppressive system

Helping grow or let go Ain't no bankroll in Mexico
Decide whether to support growth or abandon it completely. There is no significant amount of money waiting in Mexico

So take both your bags and your hopes But keep the death blow—a minimum wage and some max taxes
Take both your belongings and aspirations and depart from this place. However, endure the fatal blow of receiving only a minimum wage while facing exorbitant taxes

Clip that by burning the bridge with your last matchstick
Put an end to it all by severing ties and burning the metaphorical bridge using your final matchstick

We don't have a lot of time on this Earth. We weren't meant to spend it this way
Our time on this planet is limited. It was never intended for us to squander it in this manner

Look at me, jerking off in the shower. This will be the highlight of my day. It's all downhill from here
Observe me engaging in a solitary act of pleasure while in the shower. This will be the most exciting moment of my entire day. Everything afterward will be progressively disappointing

Contributed by Adalyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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