Do The Right Thing
Ludacris Common & Spike Lee Lyrics

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and agreement

Hip hop nation, this is Spiz-ike Lee
Introducing oneself as Spiz-ike Lee, a reference to the filmmaker Spike Lee

Been sleepin' for too long, wake up
Realizing that one has been unaware for too long and needs to become conscious

Wake up
Emphasizing the need to wake up and become aware

Wake up! I see the sunshine gazing through the window pane (yeah)
Noticing the beauty of the morning sunlight

Blazin' like indo flame, it's to wake up! Come to yo' senses manye
Comparing the brightness of the sunlight to a burning flame and urging others to become aware

Snow is all around you, but you don't play in the winter games!
Recognizing that there are challenges and dangers surrounding, but not engaging in harmful activities

Cartridges surround you, but you ain't playin' Nintendo games!
Acknowledging the presence of weapons around, but not engaging in violence

Load 'em up and fill 'em up, to the top before you cock and aim
Preparing oneself for potential conflicts and being mindful before acting aggressively

Tryna get from the bottom to the top like the stock exchange
Striving for success and upward mobility, comparing it to the stock market

Shower, shit and shave and hit the corner for a block exchange
Performing daily routines and engaging in street transactions

Amazing what my people'll do for some pocket change
Highlighting the desperation and willingness of people to do anything for money

But maybe this ain't the life that you chose (chose)
Acknowledging that individuals may not have chosen the circumstances they are in

This is the life where you stay strapped and pack a knife or end up with a blooded nose
Describing a dangerous environment where self-defense is necessary

Street survivor or survivor of the streets! (streets!)
Describing oneself as someone who has overcome the challenges and dangers of the streets

And only the strong survive, there's no survival for the weak! (weak!)
Emphasizing the importance of strength and resilience to survive in a tough environment

Catch a sneak peak of death if you ain't on ya P's and Q's
Warning that not being cautious and aware can lead to dangerous situations

They carry banana clips and niggas'll peel you for ya shoes
Highlighting the presence of dangerous individuals who are willing to harm others for material possessions

It's the blues, but not on Hill Street, you could call it 'kill or be killed' street
Describing the grim reality of the neighborhood, where violence is prevalent

'Lost a pint of blood, let it spill' street
Referring to the high level of violence and bloodshed in the area

Stop and wake up!
An urgent call to stop and become conscious

They say my folks'll do whatever for the fortune and the fame
Acknowledging the common belief that people will do anything to achieve wealth and fame

And it'll take a fortune to get rid of all the pain, but I'm sayin'
Expressing the idea that money is not the solution to all problems

Use your brain homie, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Encouraging logical thinking and making morally correct decisions

You say the only family that you got is in a gang
Exploring the idea that a gang may be the only support system for some individuals

And the only way to make it is by sellin cocaine, but I'm sayin'
Challenging the belief that illegal activities are the only path to success

Use your brain homie, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Stressing the importance of making wise choices and following a moral path

I've been in his ear since we were drinkin' beers
Implying a close friendship and influence on each other's actions

Years we've spent together, used to break up get-togethers
Recalling shared experiences and how they used to disrupt gatherings

With a fight every night gettin' cheddar, movin white
Engaging in illegal activities, such as selling drugs, to make money

Our thang, so we had to 'Do it Right' like Spike
Referring to Spike Lee's film 'Do the Right Thing' and the necessity of doing things correctly

Holdin 40s, gettin' green on acres, these broads were our mules
Drinking forties (beers) and making money by utilizing women as couriers

That's when we used to serve in front of Com'wealth School
Remembering selling drugs near Commonwealth School

Fuel for cars and jewels, chains and tools
Using the money earned to support a lavish lifestyle with cars, jewelry, and weapons

It was organized crime but we remained confused
Acknowledging involvement in organized crime while being unaware of the consequences

Mom in the pews, singin', 'Lord, protect 'em'
Recognizing the concern and prayers of a mother for protection and safety

You might not a-gree with our views, but you had to respect 'em
Understanding that others may not share the same values, but still commanding respect

Diamonds in the rough, but were we reflectin'
Acknowledging personal flaws and questioning the reflection of oneself

A system that's abrupt, the streets under pressure
Recognizing the harsh realities of the system and the pressure of the streets

One morning in the mirror, I seen my reflection
Having a moment of self-reflection and self-realization

A young man with good spirits but needed direction
Being a young individual with positivity but lacking guidance

I guess my man's death was my resurrection
Realizing that the death of a friend became a turning point for personal growth

'Cause now I hear him sayin' from heaven, 'Wake up!
Imagining the voice of the deceased friend urging them to become aware

Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
Repeating the imperative to wake up and be conscious

They say my folks'll do whatever for the fortune and the fame
Reiterating the belief that people will go to great lengths for wealth and fame

And it'll take a fortune to get rid of all the pain, but I'm sayin'
Stating that money alone cannot alleviate all suffering

Use your brain homie, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Encouraging rational decision-making and moral actions

You say the only family that you got is in a gang
Highlighting the sense of belonging and support within a gang

And the only way to make it is by sellin cocaine, but I'm sayin'
Challenging the belief that illegal activities are the only path to success

Use your brain homie, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Emphasizing the importance of making sound choices and following a moral path

I woke up this morning and got a call
Starting the day with a phone call

My partner said he had news about a girl named Baby Doll
Receiving information about someone named Baby Doll from a friend

She got four baby daddies, four kids by four different men
Learning about a woman who has multiple children from different fathers

And she just found out she's pregnant, I said, 'No, not again!'
Expressing surprise and disappointment upon discovering the woman's pregnancy

Man, when she gonna learn she don't wanna spend her life in court?
Questioning when the woman will realize the consequences of her actions and avoid legal issues

Lookin' for back payments and fightin' for that child supports
Referring to the financial struggles and legal battles associated with child support

Chasin' checks, chasin' her ounce of respect, chasin paper
Describing the woman's pursuit of money, respect, and financial security

Chasin' entertainers or rappers and ballplayers
Highlighting the woman's pursuit of relationships with individuals in the entertainment industry

Not carin about a condom, I say, 'Help her Lord, please'
Expressing concern for the woman's lack of protection and praying for her well-being

'Fore she stuck wit mo' babies or ends up fightin some disease
Wishing to prevent the woman from having more children or contracting an illness

You know that you a momma, and, mommas, we can't lose ya (no!)
Recognizing the importance of mothers and the need to protect them

Treat yourself better, you carry seeds to the future (who!)
Encouraging the woman to prioritize her own well-being as she is responsible for raising future generations

And the future looks dim if we don't get ourselves together
Noting that the prospects for the future are bleak if individuals don't improve their situation

We gotta sacrifice, some do whatver for the cheddar
Recognizing the need for personal sacrifices and the risks people take for money

So make the right decisions 'til you ready to give birth
Urging the woman to make wise choices until she is prepared to have a child

And know that you the most precious gift we have on this earth
Affirming the woman's value and importance

Babies, stop and wake up
Encouraging young individuals to become aware and conscious

Wake up
Reiterating the need to wake up and be conscious

They say my folks'll do whatever for the fortune and the fame
Reflecting on the notion that people will go to extreme lengths for wealth and fame

And it'll take a fortune to get rid of all the pain, but I'm sayin'
Challenging the belief that money is the solution to all problems

Use your brain baby, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Urging individuals to think logically and make morally correct decisions

You say the only family but it's hard without a man
Acknowledging the challenges of raising a family without the presence of a father figure

And the only way to make it get him for his chains but I'm sayin'
Challenging the idea that material possessions obtained through questionable means are the only path to success

Use your brain homie, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Encouraging individuals to make wise choices and follow a moral path

Wake up, wake up
Repeatedly urging to wake up and be aware

It's a new day! Come on brothers, wake up
Emphasizing that it is a fresh start and calling on men to become conscious

Come on sisters, wake up
Calling on women to also become aware

ATL, wake up, wake up, baby
Addressing Atlanta and urging the city to wake up and be conscious

Chi-Town, wake up wake up
Addressing Chicago and urging the city to wake up and be conscious

Brooklyn's in the house!
Acknowledging the presence of Brooklyn and calling on its residents to become conscious

Wake up, Brooklyn!
Reiterating the need for Brooklyn to become conscious

Ludacris! Common Sense and ME, Spike Lee!
Mentioning Ludacris, Common Sense, and Spike Lee as influential figures

Always do the right thing
Encouraging the listener to always make morally correct choices

I got it, I'm gone
Indicating an understanding and readiness to move forward