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.
He Say She Say
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let you leave
I don't know what you want
You want more from me?
She said to him
"I want you to be a father
He's your little boy and you don't even bother
And he's starting to harbor
Cool and food for thought
But for you he's a starver
Starting to use red markers on his work
His teacher say they know he's much smarter
But he's hurt
Used to hand his homework in first
Like he was the classroom starter
Burst to tears
Let them know she see us
Now he's fighting in class
Got a note last week that say he might not pass
Ask me if his daddy was sick of us
'Cause you ain't never pick him up
You see what his problem is?
He don't know where his poppa is
No positive male role model
To play football and build railroad models
It's making a hole you've been digging it
'Cause you ain't been kicking it
Since he was old enough to hold bottles
Wasn't supposed to get introduced to that
He don't deserve to get used to that
Now I ain't asking you for money or to come back to me
Some days it ain't sunny but it ain't so hard
Just breaks my heart
When I try to provide and he say, "Mommy that ain't your job"
To be a man, I try to make him understand
That I'm his number one fan
But its like he born from the stands
You know the world is out to get him, so why don't you give him a chance?"
I can't, I won't, I can't, I won't
Let you leave
I don't know what you want
You want more from me?
So he said to him
"I want you to be a father
I'm your little boy and you don't even bother
Like "brother" without the are
And I'm starting to harbor
Cool and food for thought
But for you I'm a starver
Starting to use red markers on my work
My teacher say they know I'm much smarter
But I'm hurt
I used to hand my homework in first
Like I was the classroom starter
Burst to tears
Let them know he see us
Now I'm fighting in class
Got a note last week that say I might not pass
Kids ask me if my daddy is sick of us
'Cause you ain't never pick me up
You see what my problem is?
That I don't know where my poppa is
No positive male role model
To play football and build railroad models
It's making a hole you've been digging it
'Cause you ain't been kicking it
Since I was old enough to hold bottles
Wasn't supposed to get introduced to that
I don't deserve to get used to that
Now I ain't asking you for money or to come back to me
Some days it ain't sunny but it ain't so hard
Just breaks my heart
When my momma try to provide and I tell her, "That ain't your job"
To be a man, she try to make me understand
That she my number one fan
But its like you born from the stands
You know the world is out to get me, why don't you give me a chance?"
I can't, I won't, I can't, I won't
Let you leave
I don't know what you want
You want more from me?
I can't, I won't, I can't, I won't
Let you leave
I don't know what you want
You want more from me?
I can't, I won't, I can't, I won't
Let you leave
The lyrics to Lupe Fiasco's song "He Say She Say" explore the perspective of a young boy and his mother as they express their disappointment and frustration with the father figure in their lives. Throughout the song, the boy and his mother voice their desire for the father to take more responsibility in his son's life and be present as a positive male role model. The boy reflects on how his father's absence has affected him in school and in life, while the mother speaks about her struggles to provide for her son alone. Ultimately, the lyrics are a plea for the father to step up and be a responsible parent, and for him to recognize the impact his absence has had on his family.
The song's themes of absent fathers and the impact it has on children struck a chord with many audiences, particularly within the Black community where there is a disproportionately high number of single-parent households. The song explores the emotional journey of those who grow up without a father figure and the difficulties they face as a result. The lyrics also touch on themes of societal pressures for men to be providers, and the challenges of raising a child as a single mother.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't, I won't, I can't, I won't
Refusal to let the other person leave and end the conversation.
Let you leave
Desire to prevent the other person from walking away and avoiding responsibility.
I don't know what you want
Feeling confused about what the other person expects.
You want more from me?
Questioning the other person's motives and intentions.
She said to him
Shift in perspective from the artist to the woman speaking to the absent father.
"I want you to be a father
Direct request for the father to take responsibility and be a positive role model for his son.
He's your little boy and you don't even bother
Accusation of neglect and abandonment.
Like "brother" without the are
Reference to the father's absence causing a missing letter in the word 'brother'.
And he's starting to harbor
The son is beginning to feel and internalize the negative effects of the father's absence.
Cool and food for thought
The son is intelligent and has potential to succeed, if given the proper support.
But for you he's a starver
The father's failure to be there for his son is causing him to suffer and struggle.
Starting to use red markers on his work
Expression of frustration and disappointment.
His teacher say they know he's much smarter
The son's potential is recognized by others.
But he's hurt
The son is emotionally damaged and affected by his father's absence.
Used to hand his homework in first
The son used to be enthusiastic and motivated in school.
Like he was the classroom starter
The son was a leader and set an example for others in class.
Burst to tears
Expression of emotional pain and sadness.
Let them know she see us
Acknowledgment of the mother's effort and care for her son.
Now he's fighting in class
The son's behavior is becoming problematic and disruptive.
Got a note last week that say he might not pass
The son's grades and academic performance are at risk.
Ask me if his daddy was sick of us
The son is confused and wondering why his father isn't present.
Cause you ain't never pick him up
The father has failed to fulfill his parenting duties and obligations.
You see what his problem is?
The father is being held accountable for his role in his son's struggles.
He don't know where his poppa is
The son's lack of knowledge about his father's whereabouts.
No positive male role model
The father's absence has deprived the son of a healthy and supportive influence.
To play football and build railroad models
The father could have provided opportunities for the son to bond and engage in enjoyable activities.
It's making a hole you've been digging it
The father's absence has caused damage and negative impact.
Cause you ain't been kicking it
The father has neglected his role and responsibility.
Since he was old enough to hold bottles
The father has been absent for a long time.
Wasn't supposed to get introduced to that
The son was not supposed to experience the pain and struggle caused by his father's absence.
He don't deserve to get used to that
The son should not have to accept and normalize his father's absence.
Now I ain't asking you for money or to come back to me
The mother is not seeking financial or personal gain from the father.
Some days it ain't sunny but it ain't so hard
Life can be difficult, but it's not impossible to overcome.
Just breaks my heart
The mother is deeply saddened by her son's struggles and the father's absence.
When I try to provide and he say, "Mommy that ain't your job"
The son is questioning and challenging traditional gender roles and responsibilities.
To be a man, I try to make him understand
The mother is attempting to instill positive values and traits in her son.
That I'm his number one fan
The mother loves and supports her son unconditionally.
But its like he born from the stands
The son feels disconnected from his father and lacks a sense of belonging.
You know the world is out to get him, so why don't you give him a chance?
The son is facing many challenges and obstacles, and needs his father's support and guidance to succeed.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: HAL DAVID, WASALU MUHAMMAD JACO, BURT F. BACHARACH, LUPE FIASCO, BURT BACHARACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justinbennett1937
I was looking in all the wrong places. For an earthly relationship.
..
My heavenly father reminded me I am the son of man
But here now.
God is the absolute truth.
Thank you God
In Jesus name let's just stop this wild stuff and love again.
Seek first his kingdom.
@marcbibanga5601
Food and Liquor is still one of the greatest albums ever made.
@JoseFlores-rl3kj
hell yea
@leivh
Ever
@trentyates418
FACTS!!!
@hawwakarim
Big ole facts!!!
@manga3040
100%
@immortalmortal1000
Wow, the fact that he uses the same verse except with different points of view is a perfect example of Lupe's genius. It's as if the son thinks exactly the same as his mother; the message (IMO) being that kids emulate their role models, whether it be the father OR the mother, so it's the responsibility for the parents to set positive examples.
@SpeedySounds
the first time I heard this song (and still to this day), hearing the second verse just hits it home. as a young kid wondering where my father was, the first verse just reminds me of the shit i heard from my moms mouth growin up when she was defending me. he did end up comin back, but i was already a man. the second verse reminds me of the moment i feel became a man and stood for myself, and everything my mom said is the exact same shit i said. my dad and i are good today, but this song just brings me back to a very dark place.
@TheSecularMinority
This song doesn't even apply to me but it gives me so many feels. I had to text my dad to tell him how much I appreciate him being in my life. In a world full of dead beat dad's I recognized that I'm privileged to have both my parents. Shout out to all the single parents and the kids who made it without both parents.
@Mustafakhan-us9cr
Big up to you fam!