Night Life
When Lonnie Liston Smith made the transition from sideman to leader in 1973… Read Full Bio ↴When Lonnie Liston Smith made the transition from sideman to leader in 1973, it was the beginning of a fusion/crossover/post-bop band he dubbed Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes. The acoustic pianist/electric keyboardist, who was born in Richmond, VA, on December 28, 1940, should not be confused with soul-jazz/hard bop organist Lonnie Smith. This Smith would have had an impressive resumé even if he had never formed a band of his own. In the '60s or early '70s, he had been a sidemen for, among others, Pharoah Sanders, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gato Barbieri, singer Betty Carter, and trumpeter Miles Davis. In fact, Smith was still in Davis' employ when he signed with producer Bob Thiele's RCA-distributed Flying Dutchman label and recorded his first album as a leader, Astral Traveling (which Thiele produced). Nonetheless, the Cosmic Echoes were a major step forward for Smith -- the improviser had a lot more time to devote to his own compositions and he was free to concentrate on a very spiritual type of fusion that had a variety of influences. The post-bop of model explorers like Coltrane, Sanders, Kirk, Yusef Lateef, McCoy Tyner, and Charles Lloyd was a heavy influence on Smith's composing since all of those artists shared the Cosmic Echoes' spiritual concerns. But the Cosmic Echoes were hardly jazz purists. Their instrumental fusion combined those post-bop influences with funk, pop, and rock, and some of their best-known vocal numbers (which include 1979's "Space Princess" and 1983's "Never Too Late") were outright R&B. It was on April 24, 1973, that Smith recorded Astral Traveling and led his first Cosmic Echoes lineup, which included George Barron (soprano and tenor sax), Joe Beck (guitar), Cecil McBee (bass), David Lee, Jr. (drums), James Mtume (percussion), Sonny Morgan (percussion), Badal Roy (tabla drums), and Geeta Vashi (tamboura). Astral Traveling was entirely instrumental, but it wasn't long before Smith added a vocalist to the Cosmic Echoes: his brother Donald Smith. Although Donald Smith had helped his brother put together the Cosmic Echoes' first lineup, he isn't actually employed on Astral Traveling -- 1974's Thiele-produced Cosmic Funk was the first Cosmic Echoes album that featured him on vocals. From 1974 on, the Cosmic Echoes' albums were typically about 80 percent instrumental, but included a few vocal offerings. Subsequent Cosmic Echoes projects included 1975's Expansions, 1975's Visions of a New World, 1976's Reflections of a Golden Dream, and 1977's Renaissance, all of which were on either Flying Dutchman or RCA proper. Along the way, the Cosmic Echoes had more than their share of personnel changes. When the group recorded a live album for RCA in 1977, the lineup included Smith on piano and keyboards, his brother Donald on vocals, Dave Hubbard on tenor and soprano sax, Al Anderson on electric bass, Ronald Miller on electric guitar, and Hollywood Barker on drums -- a lineup that, except for Lonnie Liston Smith himself, is totally different from the Cosmic Echoes lineup heard on 1973's Astral Traveling. It was in 1978 that Smith and his Cosmic Echoes left RCA and moved to Columbia to record Loveland, which was a respectable seller (at least by jazz standards) and fared well among fusion, crossover, and quiet storm fans. Smith's next Columbia album, Exotic Mysteries, gave us the single, "Space Princess," which featured Donald on lead vocals and became a minor hit. Although Exotic Mysteries was primarily an instrumental fusion album, "Space Princess" wasn't jazz at all -- the tune is funk-disco but still has that mystic Cosmic Echoes vibe. Some people felt that when Smith and his Cosmic Echoes were recording for Columbia in the late '70s and early '80s, they became too slick and commercial -- nonetheless, the group still had integrity and was still enjoyable and interesting during its Columbia period. Donald Smith temporarily left the Cosmic Echoes after Exotic Mysteries and on 1979's Song for the Children, he was replaced by singer James "Crabbe" Robinson (who is also employed on 1980s Love Is the Answer). And Robinson wasn't the only person who passed through the Cosmic Echoes in the late '70s or early '80s. Others who came on board during Smith's Columbia period included guitarist Abdul Wali, bassist Pee Wee Ford, drummer Lino Reyes, and percussionist Lawrence Killian -- like Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes could be a revolving door. Donald Smith ended up returning to the fold in the early '80s, which is also when the Cosmic Echoes were reunited with Thiele (who signed Smith to his new Doctor Jazz label). One of songs that Smith's Cosmic Echoes recorded for Doctor Jazz was the urban/quiet storm vocal number "Never Too Late," which was released as a single and became a minor hit. In the mid-'80s, the Cosmic Echoes unofficially called it quits and Smith moved on to other things. But the pianist/keyboardist (who turned 60 in 2000) returned to a Cosmic Echoes-minded approach in 1998, when he was reunited with his brother Donald and featured him on the album Transformation (which came out on Smith's own label Loveland Records). In 2002, Sony's reissue-oriented Legacy Recordings looked back on the Cosmic Echoes' late '70s and early '80s output with a two-CD retrospective titled Explorations: The Columbia Years.

Night Life
Lonnie Liston Smith Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

"We be hangin' on the block 'til dawn"
Outsidaz' Night Life
"Stayin' spaced out like Dr. Octagon"
Outsidaz' Night Life

This rap hell has got skells and mac twelves
Over past gels, crack sales, and blackmails
When your people get clocked it hurts
They quit thuggin, run and join a baptist church
We pushin white see-3's with five TV's
The Outsidaz, its on the Night Life EP

See, Axe the trife type, live the Night Life
Amongst dark alleys and bright lights
A heist might, end it all for the right price
Guess who's back in the house, Axe and the Outs
The wack crap you yappin about get you cracked in the mouth
Want to be president, put me in office
My old ??? ran for European horses
Skiing off cliffs, G'ing off this
Rob banks, clearin Porsches
Me and Nawshis, y'all shoulda been being cautious

My Night Life'in, make cats get liars
When Axe pass the striker, I rapid fire
Nauseous, I'm main coursin', no appetizer
The emcee sacraficer, like a rap messiah
Run up on you, 'specially if that balls sellin
Catch him on stage, get put in a full nelson
This the O-you-T flow, for rappers finito
But'cha girl could get the EP tho'

Outsidaz' Night Life
"We be hangin' on the block 'til dawn"
Outsidaz' Night Life
"Stayin' spaced out like Dr. Octagon"
Outsidaz' Night Life
"We be hangin' on the block 'til dawn"
Outsidaz' Night Life
"What'choo want, what'choo want, what'choo want, what'choo want?"

You corn like the cereal Pops
Get ripped torn over my stereo box
Ya'oufits on like stretch and pops weapons cocked
Get skipped like records, then I'm stretchin ya drop
Out's, we love cream, guns, and bitches
Don't trust fiends, nuns, and snitches
Want funds and riches, bombin sisses
Plus we out for fame like Bonnie and the Pointer sisters

You could feel it
The floors is shakin, wars is wagin'
Across the northern nations
All before daylight savings
The Night Life on location
Gun and smoke risin' like undertoe lake reservations
Under y'all faces, its hip hop John Wayne ?Gaisees?
With laced weed and bass beats
We got grow six, explosives, and overdoses
For you and your associates
While we sweep the coast'es's
Outsidaz transendin
The hip hop world as you know it, is now at an endin'

This rap hell has got skells and mac twelves
Over past gels, crack sales, and blackmails
When your people get clocked it hurts
They quit thuggin, run and join a baptist church
We pushin white see-3's with five TV's
The Outsidaz, its on the Night Life EP

Roll up the crime crime, organized crime dime
Between love and hate there's a fine line
Some people hate how we gettin it, some people ride mine
Cheer for me like they got pom-poms in the nine-nine
We straight rockin it, two G, we lockin shit
Outsidaz' Night Life a gift to the provocative

Where I'm from we miss Biggie
Flip keys, so if you stick with me
Its strictly bright lights and big cities
No dough, its a lotta caffeine, gotta have cream
That's why we run this rap scene like a Carl Lewis track team
D-you'a, representin New Jay-ruz
Pump six holes in you like pool tay-bles

Yeah, we stack dough get wet like tadpoles
Y'all fags though nigga, all pussy like black gold
With the mack fold, punk you ain't gon' do shit
Don't pull it out if you ain't gon' use it
These are the last days before I get cast weight
Its a must, I have to Rock Hard like Cafe
Mother

Outsidaz, Night Life, urban brew
Why try, we murda you
Drive by's in convertible
Lex, stretched like your grandmothers chest
Yes sir, plus higher than your pops blood pressure
Outsidaz, Night Life, urban brew
Why try, we murda you
Drive by's in convertible




Lex, stretched like your grandmothers chest
Yes sir, plus higher than your pops blood pressure

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lonnie Liston Smith's "Night Life" are not provided in the given text. However, the text does contain the lyrics to Outsidaz's "Night Life" song. The song is typical of rap music that centers on living in urban environments. Rappers speak to the roughness of the streets, the dangers of living in the wrong side of town, and the experiences that come with the lifestyle. The line "We be hangin' on the block 'til dawn" is a reference to how young people hang out outside on the street late into the night.


The lyrics also refer to gang violence and criminal activities such as "past gels, crack sales, and blackmails." The line "Stayin' spaced out like Dr. Octagon" likely refers to the dangers of drug abuse and its effects. The lyrics are a reflection of the culture in which the artists live and are trying to capture in their music.


Line by Line Meaning

We be hangin' on the block 'til dawn
Spending all night on the streets


Stayin' spaced out like Dr. Octagon
Being under the influence for a long time


This rap hell has got skells and mac twelves
Rap music has a dark side with violence


Over past gels, crack sales, and blackmails
Illegal activities and crime are prevalent in this scene


When your people get clocked it hurts
Getting caught has negative consequences for the group


They quit thuggin, run and join a baptist church
People may turn to religion to escape the violent lifestyle


We pushin white see-3's with five TV's
Driving fancy cars with multiple TVs


Axe the trife type, live the Night Life
Get rid of negativity and embrace the night life


Amongst dark alleys and bright lights
Living among contrasts of city life


A heist might, end it all for the right price
Desperation may lead to criminal activity


Guess who's back in the house, Axe and the Outs
The Outsidaz are making a comeback


The wack crap you yappin about get you cracked in the mouth
Talking nonsense could get you hurt


Want to be president, put me in office
Confident in leadership abilities


My old ??? ran for European horses
Family member had success with horse racing in Europe


Skiing off cliffs, G'ing off this
Living dangerously and taking risks


Rob banks, clearin Porsches
Engaging in illegal and extravagant activities


Me and Nawshis, y'all shoulda been being cautious
Being wary of the Outsidaz crew


My Night Life'in, make cats get liars
Night life activities can cause people to act foolish


When Axe pass the striker, I rapid fire
Quickly spitting out rhymes when given the opportunity


Nauseous, I'm main coursin', no appetizer
Being the main act and not a supporting act


The emcee sacraficer, like a rap messiah
Sacrificing for the art of rap


Run up on you, 'specially if that balls sellin
Ready to confront those who are selling drugs


Catch him on stage, get put in a full nelson
Physically restraining someone on stage


Roll up the crime crime, organized crime dime
Planning and executing successful criminal activity


Between love and hate there's a fine line
The line between good and bad is thin


Some people hate how we gettin it, some people ride mine
People either envy or support the Outsidaz' success


Cheer for me like they got pom-poms in the nine-nine
Having a loyal fanbase


We straight rockin it, two G, we lockin shit
Doing well and dominating the scene


Outsidaz' Night Life a gift to the provocative
The Night Life EP is something that will provoke listeners


You could feel it
The energy is palpable


The floors is shakin, wars is wagin'
Creating intense and powerful music


Across the northern nations
Reaching a wide audience


All before daylight savings
Working hard and making music up until the time changes


Gun and smoke risin' like undertoe lake reservations
Imagery of violence and danger in a secluded area


Under y'all faces, its hip hop John Wayne ?Gaisees?
Outsidaz taking on a tough and fearless persona


With laced weed and bass beats
Creating music with an edge


We got grow six, explosives, and overdoses
Having access to dangerous weapons


For you and your associates
Using weapons against enemies and rivals


While we sweep the coast'es's
Making moves and taking control


Outsidaz transendin
Outsidaz taking their music to the next level


The hip hop world as you know it, is now at an endin'
Outsidaz are changing the game and influencing the genre


Where I'm from we miss Biggie
Paying homage to a rap legend


Flip keys, so if you stick with me
Getting rich off illegal activities


Its strictly bright lights and big cities
Pursuing success in urban areas


No dough, its a lotta caffeine, gotta have cream
Working hard for a better life


That's why we run this rap scene like a Carl Lewis track team
Running the rap game strategically and efficiently


D-you'a, representin New Jay-ruz
Being proud of their New Jersey roots


Pump six holes in you like pool tay-bles
Being violent and ruthless if crossed


Yeah, we stack dough get wet like tadpoles
Making a lot of money and living lavish lifestyles


Y'all fags though nigga, all pussy like black gold
Insulting those who are weak and cowardly


With the mack fold, punk you ain't gon' do shit
Threatening those who try to challenge them


Don't pull it out if you ain't gon' use it
Don't make threats if you can't follow through


These are the last days before I get cast weight
Making the most of their time before things change


Its a must, I have to Rock Hard like Cafe
Determined to succeed and make a name for themselves


Outsidaz, Night Life, urban brew
Promoting their Night Life EP


Why try, we murda you
Threatening rivals


Drive by's in convertible
Using violence to establish dominance


Lex, stretched like your grandmothers chest
Driving high-end cars


Yes sir, plus higher than your pops blood pressure
Living life to the fullest and taking risks




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALINA SMITH, CHAD RAYMON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@treeZon1

so fucking dope!

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