Lying From You
Linkin Park/Jay - Z Lyrics
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Where's my fucking frappuccino
All right let's do this
When I pretend, everything is what I want it to be
I looked exactly like what you always wanted to see
When I pretend, I can't forget about the criminal I am
Stealing second after second just 'cause I know I can, but
I can't pretend of who you want me to be so I'm (lying my way from)
If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
I probably owe it to y'all, probably be locked by the force
Tryin' to hustle some things, that go with the Porsche
Feelin' no remorse, feelin' like my hand was forced
Middle finger to the law, nigga grippin' my balls
Said the ladies they love me, from the bleachers they screamin'
All the ballers is bouncin they like the way I be leanin
All the rappers be hatin, off the track that I'm makin'
But all the hustlers they love it just to see one of us make it
Came from the bottom the bottom, to the top of the pops
Nigga London, Japan and I'm straight off the block
Like a running back, get it man, I'm straight off the block
I can run it back, nigga 'cause I'm straight with the Roc
If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yes sir
Keep the Heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin
Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin
With a boss bitch of course S.C. On the sleeve
At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real, chill
Yeah, I remember what they taught to me
Remember condescending took for who I ought to be
Remember listenin' to all of that and this again
So I pretended up a person who was fitting in
And now you think this person really is me and I'm (trying to bend the truth)
But the more I push the more I'm pulling away 'cause I'm (lying my way from)
You (Nah, no turning back now)
I wanna be pushed aside so let me go
(Nah, no turning back now)
Let me take me back my life
I'd rather be all alone (No turning back now)
And anywhere on my own, 'cause I can see (Nah, no turning back now)
The very worst part of you
The very worst part of you, it's me!
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
This isn't what I wanted to be
I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this
You (Nah, no turning back now)
I wanna be pushed aside so let me go
(Nah, no turning back now)
Let me take me back my life
I'd rather be all alone (No turning back now)
And anywhere on my own, 'cause I can see (Nah, no turning back now)
The very worst part of you
The very worst part of you, it's me!
Biatch!
The opening lyrics of "Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You” use a clever approach of juxtaposing the mundane to the gritty to establish the theme of the song. With Jay-Z bragging in the song about leaving his criminal past behind and Linkin Park reaching out to a part of themselves that is harder and more raw, both the characters in this song constantly try to bend the truth about who they are. The lines “When I pretend, everything is what I want it to be. I looked exactly like what you always wanted to see” and “I can't pretend of who you want me to be so I'm (lying my way from)” are examples of how we tend to try to conform to ideas of who others want us to be, hiding our true selves.
The chorus “If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off” speaks of self-confidence and self-worth. It suggests not getting bogged down by negative experiences or setting any limitations in life. Instead, the song encourages taking charge of one’s life, shaking off the dirt, and navigating rough terrain without giving up. The end of the song highlights this, with Linkin Park’s lyrics: “This isn't what I wanted to be, I never thought that what I said would have you running from me, like this”. The idea here is to be honest about who we are and make no apologies, while also not letting negative experiences define us.
Line by Line Meaning
When I pretend, everything is what I want it to be
I deceive myself into thinking that my life is perfect the way it is
I looked exactly like what you always wanted to see
I present myself as the person you want me to be
When I pretend, I can't forget about the criminal I am
Even though I try to ignore it, I know deep down that I have done wrong
Stealing second after second just 'cause I know I can, but
I take advantage of every little opportunity to benefit myself, regardless of the cost
I can't pretend that this is they way it'll stay, I'm just (trying to bend the truth)
I know that my life is not sustainable the way it is, and I try to manipulate reality to make it seem okay
I can't pretend of who you want me to be so I'm (lying my way from)
I can't live up to the image you have of me, so instead I fabricate a false persona
If you feelin' like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
If you are confident and successful, don't let anyone bring you down
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off
Women are also strong and successful, and should feel proud of themselves
Niggas is crazy baby, don't forget that boy told you
People can be unpredictable and dangerous, so remember to be cautious
Get, that, dirt off your shoulder
Don't let negativity or criticism get to you - shake it off and move on
You gotta get, that, dirt off your shoulder
You have to let go of the things that bring you down and focus on the positive
Your homey Hov' in position, in the kitchen with soda
Jay-Z is an experienced drug dealer, who is cooking up cocaine in the kitchen
I just whipped up a watch, tryin' to get me a Rover
Jay-Z is so wealthy that he can create luxury items out of thin air, in pursuit of material possessions like a Range Rover
Tryin' to stretch out the coca, like a wrestler, yes sir
Jay-Z is trying to make as much profit as possible from the cocaine trade, by diluting the product to make it go further
Keep the Heckler close, you know them smokers'll test ya
Jay-Z carries a gun to protect himself from customers who may try to rip him off or harm him
But like, fifty-two cards when I'm, I'm through dealin
Jay-Z is comparing the drug trade to a deck of cards, saying that he has played his hand and done all he can
Now fifty-two bars come out, now you feel 'em
Jay-Z has switched from talking about the drug trade to rapping about his skills as a lyricist
Now, fifty-two cars roll out, remove ceiling
Jay-Z is so successful that he can afford to buy 52 cars and customize them to his liking
In case fifty-two broads come out, now you chillin
Jay-Z has a lot of women who are interested in him, and he doesn't have to work hard to attract them
With a boss bitch of course S.C. On the sleeve
Jay-Z is wearing a shirt from his clothing line (Sean Carter) that showcases his wealth and status
At the 40/40 club, ESPN on the screen
Jay-Z is at one of his nightclubs (40/40) and is watching sports on the TV
I paid a grip for the jeans, plus the slippers is clean
Jay-Z spent a lot of money on his outfit, including the jeans and shoes
No chrome on the wheels, I'm a grown-up for real, chill
Jay-Z doesn't need flashy accessories (like chrome wheels) to prove himself, he is confident in his adult status
Yeah, I remember what they taught to me
Jay-Z is reflecting on the lessons he learned as a child
Remember condescending took for who I ought to be
Jay-Z was told who he should strive to become, in a patronizing way
Remember listenin' to all of that and this again
Jay-Z heard these opinions from multiple people
So I pretended up a person who was fitting in
Jay-Z tried to conform to other people's expectations, even if it wasn't authentic to himself
And now you think this person really is me and I'm (trying to bend the truth)
People believe that Jay-Z's persona is genuine, but in reality it is a facade
But the more I push the more I'm pulling away 'cause I'm (lying my way from)
Jay-Z is pushing people away by trying to create a false image of himself
I wanna be pushed aside so let me go
The singer wants to be left alone, despite the influence others might have had in their life
Let me take back my life
The singer wants to regain control of their own life and not be influenced by others
I'd rather be all alone
The artist values their independence and doesn't want to rely on anyone else
And anywhere on my own, 'cause I can see
The artist is confident in their ability to survive without other people's help
The very worst part of you
The artist acknowledges that there are negative parts of themselves
The very worst part of you, it's me!
The singer understands that they are responsible for their own mistakes and negative traits
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brad Delson, Chester Bennington, Mike Shinoda, Rob Bourdon, Joseph Hahn, David Farrell, Shawn C. Carter, Timothy Z. Mosley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind