The Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free) Songfacts reports that Fiasco’s first single off his fourth studio album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 debuted on May 21, 2012. On "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)," he spits rhymes about aspects of modern American life he doesn’t like such as "Suicide bombers and prosperity gospels, emaciated models, with cocaine and blood pouring out their nostrils” as well as socio-political problems in Ghana and the invasion of Iraq.
Lupe released his fifth studio album Tetsuo & Youth on January 20, 2015.
Lupe's 8th Studio Album DRILL MUSIC IN ZION was released on June 23rd 2022
Lupe has previously been on label Epic with his group Da Pak and then signed a solo deal with Arista. His years at Arista only led to the 2003 promo single "Pop Pop" as well as guest appearances on singles from Tha' Rayne (2002's "Kiss Me" and 2003's "Didn't You Know") and K Fox (2003's "This Life"), then Arista folded in 2004 and Lupe was signed to Atlantic Records.
Cold War
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tears stained sunglasses
A Salat with no bows
Pallbearer carry you to the car now
Chilly day, Mosque on 96 and 3rd
New York City way, me and Jay never left my side
Rest like that picture with your pride
Who look just like
Brooklyn looking less special
Don't carry the same weight
As when you were on this level
You, work in progress from 40 projects, God bless
An inspiration and a king
They won't know what I mean but this one 'bout to spring
Protect it with every feather on the wings
So even when it hurts, you'll never feel a thing
Said it's a cold cold war
Ain't nobody wins like the government
In the U.S.S.R
Cause this is all for shares
Nobody cares
Who you think you are
And you can fight it, but there's no defense
For what things are
Baby grab a jacket
It's a cold, cold
Let me clarify the chorus
And what my cold war is
'Cause the complexity is enormous
Using one of my greatest losses with eyes like faucets
To reinforce every single word that I talk with
Something about losing things, human beings
That reduces things to their most elementary
Find yourself where you never meant to be
With the energy of memories
That's the soul force of what's behind killing me
Finding pleasure in the pains
Like finding desert in the rain
Twisted, how this world can drive you masochistic
Question if I'm over it
Or if I'm numb because I'm closureless
Or my closure's that we all gotta go and shit
Rendered emotionless but moving at the speed of running over it
Still happy that I opened it
Said it's a cold cold war
Ain't nobody wins like the government
In the U.S.S.R
'Cause this is all for shares
Nobody cares
Who you think you are
And you can fight it, but there's no defense
For what things are
Baby grab a jacket
It's a cold, cold
In the studio writing these words, one after another
In memorial of my brother
As you listen to the album with
Nothing on the cover
I imagine that he hovers
In the back of his chair
Floating right there in the air
Nodding his head to the music, I slightly lose it
Ask why do I put myself through this
Crack a smile, look up at the file
The waveforms on the screen of me tryna tell you what I mean
But I feel that it's all lost, or maybe that it's all gotta cross
He's happy with his dedicated song
But now he's all gone
But he was never there, 'cause
He was everywhere, nowhere and down here
Maybe on that judgement day, rise up
We'll both open our eyes up, climb up
Hoping God forgives us for our tendencies
Wipes away our cool young histories
Said it's a cold cold war
Ain't nobody wins like the government
In the U.S.S.R
'Cause this is all for shares
Nobody cares
Who you think you are
And you can fight it, but there's no defense
For what things are
Baby grab a jacket
It's a cold, cold
Ride around, you know what I'm saying
All over the world right? I mean, everywhere
I mean we just disappear and just come back
I feel like we can just put him anywhere
He'd find his way back home, namsyin' saying
Another random thing's that consequence to me
But maybe to you, not much
But with that said, the reason behind me
Why I do what I does, love
Just riding around bumping that, uh
Either Jay or Nas, or me
I used to tell him like "yeah you alright"
But you ain't fucking with my man you namsayin'
It was always like that, so
Drop a little for you, let it bump
This that Esco music, it's that Esco music
Bumping with my Esco music, that raw
See you on the other side, As-Salamu Alaykum
The lyrics to Lupe Fiasco's song "Cold War" touch upon themes of loss, grief, and the complexities of human emotions. The opening lines depict a somber scene at a funeral ("At my brother's Janazah"), with the singer wearing sunglasses stained with tears. The mention of a mosque in New York City, alongside references to Brooklyn and Jay-Z, paints a picture of a funeral procession in the city. The lyrics express a sense of sadness and nostalgia, as the city now feels less bright and special without the presence of the deceased.
The chorus of the song introduces the concept of a "cold war," symbolizing the battle and struggles we face in life. The lyrics suggest that nobody wins in this cold war, drawing a parallel to the power dynamics and self-interests of governments. It is a commentary on how society often focuses on material gains and personal success, disregarding the cares and struggles of others.
Lupe Fiasco then delves into a personal reflection on his own experiences of loss and grief. He uses the metaphor of eyes like faucets to describe the extent of his sorrow. The loss he endured serves as a catalyst for his introspection, causing him to examine the complexities of human existence and the fleeting nature of life. He questions whether he has truly moved on or if he has become emotionally numb. The lyrics reveal his internal struggle to find closure while acknowledging the inevitability of mortality.
In the final verse, Lupe Fiasco addresses his late brother directly, expressing his admiration and love. He imagines his brother's presence during the process of creating the album and feels a connection to him through the music. He reflects on the bittersweet nature of seeing his brother's legacy preserved through a dedicated song but realizing that he is no longer physically there. The lyrics conclude with a hopeful belief in judgment day, where they can both be reunited and find forgiveness.
In summary, "Cold War" by Lupe Fiasco touches upon themes of loss, grief, and the complexities of human emotions. It explores the impact of personal loss on an individual's perspective and highlights the struggles and battles faced in life.
Line by Line Meaning
At my brother's Janazah
During the funeral of my brother
Tears stained sunglasses
Crying so much that tears stained the sunglasses
A Salat with no bows
A prayer without the customary bows
Pallbearer carry you to the car now
Carrying the casket to the car
Chilly day, Mosque on 96 and 3rd
A cold day at the Mosque located on 96th and 3rd
New York City way, me and Jay never left my side
In the New York City style, Jay and I have always been together
Rest like that picture with your pride
Rest in peace like the picture that reflects your pride
Who look just like
Who resemble each other
Now the city looks less bright
Now the city appears dimmer and less vibrant
Brooklyn looking less special
Brooklyn appears less unique and extraordinary
Don't carry the same weight
Does not hold the same significance
As when you were on this level
As when you were alive or at this stage
You, work in progress from 40 projects, God bless
You were a work in progress with 40 ongoing projects, may God bless you
An inspiration and a king
Someone who inspired others and was influential
They won't know what I mean but this one 'bout to spring
Others may not understand the significance, but this song is about to be released
Protect it with every feather on the wings
Protect it with every ounce of effort and care
So even when it hurts, you'll never feel a thing
So even when it's painful, you won't feel the pain
Said it's a cold cold war
Referring to a metaphorical cold war
Ain't nobody wins like the government
No one wins in a power struggle like the government
In the U.S.S.R
Referring to the Soviet Union
Cause this is all for shares
The actions are driven by selfish motives and the desire for personal gain
Nobody cares
No one cares
Who you think you are
Doesn't matter who you think you are
And you can fight it, but there's no defense
You can resist it, but there's no way to protect yourself
For what things are
For the way things are
Baby grab a jacket
Metaphorically, prepare yourself for the coldness and harshness of reality
Let me clarify the chorus
Allow me to explain the meaning behind the chorus
And what my cold war is
And what my metaphorical cold war represents
'Cause the complexity is enormous
Because it holds immense complexity
Using one of my greatest losses with eyes like faucets
Referencing a significant personal loss, crying uncontrollably
To reinforce every single word that I talk with
To strengthen and emphasize the meaning behind each word I speak
Something about losing things, human beings
Addressing the experience of losing loved ones
That reduces things to their most elementary
That simplifies and breaks things down to their basic form
Find yourself where you never meant to be
Ending up in a situation you never intended to be in
With the energy of memories
With the emotional impact of memories
That's the soul force of what's behind killing me
That's the profound effect causing great pain and distress
Finding pleasure in the pains
Finding solace or satisfaction in the midst of suffering
Like finding desert in the rain
Finding something unexpected and positive in a difficult situation
Twisted, how this world can drive you masochistic
How this world can push you to derive pleasure from pain
Question if I'm over it
Wondering if I'm completely healed from the loss
Or if I'm numb because I'm closureless
Or if I feel numb because I haven't found closure
Or my closure's that we all gotta go and shit
Or maybe closure means accepting that we all have to die
Rendered emotionless but moving at the speed of running over it
Feeling devoid of emotions but still progressing forward
Still happy that I opened it
Still glad that I allowed myself to experience it
In the studio writing these words, one after another
Writing these lyrics in the recording studio
In memorial of my brother
As a way to honor and remember my brother
As you listen to the album with
As you listen to the album, accompanied by
Nothing on the cover
With no visual artwork on the album cover
I imagine that he hovers
I imagine that he is present in a spiritual sense
In the back of his chair
Behind his empty seat
Floating right there in the air
Suspended in the air
Nodding his head to the music, I slightly lose it
Moving his head in rhythm to the music, it overwhelms me
Ask why do I put myself through this
Questioning why I subject myself to this emotional process
Crack a smile, look up at the file
Force a smile, glance up at the recording project
The waveforms on the screen of me tryna tell you what I mean
The visual representation of the audio, attempting to convey my message
But I feel that it's all lost, or maybe that it's all gotta cross
But I feel that it's all meaningless, or perhaps it's all interconnected
He's happy with his dedicated song
He would be pleased with this song dedicated to him
But now he's all gone
But now he's no longer here
But he was never there, 'cause
But he was never physically present, because
He was everywhere, nowhere and down here
He existed everywhere, yet nowhere, and now he's gone
Maybe on that judgement day, rise up
Perhaps on the day of judgement, he will rise
We'll both open our eyes up, climb up
We will both awaken, ascend
Hoping God forgives us for our tendencies
Hoping for God's forgiveness for our innate inclinations
Wipes away our cool young histories
Erases our youthful actions and pasts
Ride around, you know what I'm saying
Traveling around, you understand what I mean
All over the world right? I mean, everywhere
In various locations worldwide, I mean, literally everywhere
I mean we just disappear and just come back
We vanish and then reappear
I feel like we can just put him anywhere
I feel like we can place him anywhere
He'd find his way back home, namsyin' saying
He would always find his way back home, you know what I'm saying
Another random thing's that consequence to me
Another insignificant thing holds meaning for me
But maybe to you, not much
But maybe it doesn't mean much to you
But with that said, the reason behind me
However, the reason why I am
Why I do what I does, love
The motivation behind my actions, love
Just riding around bumping that, uh
Just driving around, listening to that, uh
Either Jay or Nas, or me
Either Jay-Z or Nas, or my own music
I used to tell him like 'yeah you alright'
I used to tell him 'yeah, you're good'
But you ain't fucking with my man you namsayin'
But you can't compare to my friend, you know what I mean
It was always like that, so
It was always like that, so
Drop a little for you, let it bump
Dedicating a small portion to you, let it play loudly
This that Esco music, it's that Esco music
This is that Nas music, that classic Nas music
Bumping with my Esco music, that raw
Listening to Nas' music, that authentic and unadulterated
See you on the other side, As-Salamu Alaykum
I'll see you in the afterlife, peace be upon you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Wasalu Jaco, Christopher Steven Brown, Larrance Levar Dopson, Crystal Grant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kobe McFadden
Had this album for a couple years. This track out the blue just got stuck in my head and been on repeat for 3 days now.
fredmagic09
Damn, I had to go to Rap Genius to figure out what he was talking about. This dude Lupe has to be one of the greatest lyricists/rappers in our times!
Lance Pellman
@Kgarudi Mogane .in I'll.o joj m k.nmmlkllotttkmllltkkkkiomkmkj
Kgarudi Mogane
Dats what I do to most of his tracks
Henry Olusegun
“Using one of my greatest losses with eyes like faucets to reinforce every single word that I talk with” Rest in me Dad!
NGAWANG
Lupe's masterpiece! bumpin this takes me back to 2012 and graduating school
biscuit 2005
It's art like this that helps us maneuver through grief. Thank you lu
Isaiah Hunter
hip-hop isn't dead its just harder to find
xoReconox
Much love Lupe stay strong as always
muhammad adnan
damn, this is good and calming