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.
Letting Go
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feels like I'm running out of soul
You are getting too heavy to hold
Think I'll be letting you go
My self portrait shows a man that the wealth tortured
Self-absorbed with his own self-forfeit
A shelf full of awards
When I see my own self I wonder if we still see a light
We was tight seeing lights
Speaking right and breathing life
Now I see my demons and barely even sleep at night
I don't get high, life keep me at a decent height
As the old me I predicted all my recent plights
Exhausted trying to fall asleep, losses at my recent fights
Burdens on my shoulders now, burnin' all my motives down
Inspiration drying up, motivation slowing down
Things are getting outta control
Feels like I'm running out of soul
You are getting too heavy to hold
Think I'll be letting you go
(Think I'll let you go)
I'm begging me don't let me go
We vow like the letter "O"
To never go our separate ways
And spin-off into separate shows
Tired of all the wardrobe changin'
Playing all these extra roles
Filled with all these different spirits
Livin' off these separate souls
Point in life is getting hollow
Can't wait for the exit hole
Give me room, the entry room, let me in and let me go
So I can roam around this wilderness
See it for what it really is
I'm prepared to filterless
Magnify the youth in me, alibi the shootin' spree
Amplify the revolution, sanitize the lunacy
Strip away the justice, justify the scrutiny
I can see the lasers shootin' out of you and me
Things are getting outta control
Feels like I'm running out of soul
You are getting too heavy to hold
Think I'll be letting you go
(Think I'll be let you go)
Sometimes I feel like the world
Sometimes I feel like, the world is against me
And everything that I've done before
I swear we used to be so pure
But we can't be in love no more
'Cause I don't wanna fight this war
But when I put down my gun
I turn around and pick up one
This uzi weighs a ton, but I think I'm done!
Things are getting outta control
Feels like I'm running out of soul
You are getting too heavy to hold
Think I'll be letting you go
Think I'll be letting you go
Things are getting, getting outta control oh
Said it feels like I'm running out of soul
You're getting heavy to hold
Think I'll be letting you go
Letting you go
The lyrics to Lupe Fiasco's song "Letting Go" express his struggles with fame and the weight that comes with it. The artist talks about feeling like he's running out of soul and being unable to hold onto the things that have burdened him. The self-portrait he paints is that of a man consumed by his own success, with a shelf full of awards but also full of doubts about whether he's still a good person. He is exhausted from the constant pressure, and his motivation is slowing down.
The chorus repeats the idea that things are getting out of control and he is letting go, which could refer to both his fame and the relationships in his life. He also touches on the idea of feeling like the world is against him and being unable to continue fighting his personal war. However, as he puts down his metaphorical gun, he realizes that he can't let go of everything, and there are still things that he needs to hold onto. He wants to filter out the negativity and magnify the positive aspects of himself, and of the world around him.
Overall, the lyrics to "Letting Go" reveal the challenges that come with fame, and the struggle to maintain one's identity while being constantly in the spotlight. Lupe Fiasco is grappling with these issues and searching for a way to navigate through the pressure and expectations that come with his success. The song is a poignant expression of these struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Things are getting outta control
My life is becoming overwhelming and chaotic
Feels like I'm running out of soul
I am feeling drained and empty
You are getting too heavy to hold
Dealing with you has become too difficult and burdensome
Think I'll be letting you go
I have decided to end our relationship
My self-portrait shows a man that the wealth tortured
My past success and money have caused me personal pain and suffering
Self-absorbed with his own self-forfeit
I have focused too much on myself and sacrificed important things in the process
A shelf full of awards
I am recognized and celebrated for my achievements
Worshiping the war ships that set sail on my sea of life
I have put too much value on my accomplishments and material possessions
When I see my own self I wonder if we still see a light
I question if I still have a sense of purpose and meaning in life
We was tight seeing lights
We were close and enthusiastic about life's possibilities
Speaking right and breathing life
We used to talk positively and with optimism
Now I see my demons and barely even sleep at night
I am struggling with personal demons and it is affecting my sleep
I don't get high, life keep me at a decent height
I am not using drugs to cope, but I am still managing to function
As the old me I predicted all my recent plights
I can see how my past behavior and choices led to my current struggles
Exhausted trying to fall asleep, losses at my recent fights
I am mentally and physically drained from trying to deal with my problems
Burdens on my shoulders now, burnin' all my motives down
I feel weighed down by my responsibilities and my motivation is suffering
Inspiration drying up, motivation slowing down
I am losing my creative spark and drive
I'm begging me don't let me go
I am pleading with myself to not give up on myself
We vow like the letter 'O'
We made a promise to always stay together
To never go our separate ways
We promised to always be together and not break up
And spin-off into separate shows
We promised to not pursue our own individual interests
Tired of all the wardrobe changin'
I am tired of constantly changing myself for others
Playing all these extra roles
I am pretending to be someone I am not
Filled with all these different spirits
I have been influenced by different people and experiences
Livin' off these separate souls
I have been relying on different aspects of myself depending on the situation
Point in life is getting hollow
I feel like my life lacks meaning and purpose
Can't wait for the exit hole
I am looking forward to the end of my life
Give me room, the entry room, let me in and let me go
I want to be free to explore life on my own terms
So I can roam around this wilderness
I want to explore the world and discover what it has to offer
See it for what it really is
I want to see the truth and reality of the world
I'm prepared to filterless
I am ready to see the world without any preconceived notions or biases
Magnify the youth in me, alibi the shootin' spree
I want to focus on my youthful spirit and find an excuse for the mistakes I have made in the past
Amplify the revolution, sanitize the lunacy
I want to promote positive change and quell any negative or irrational behavior
Strip away the justice, justify the scrutiny
I want to remove any notions of fairness or justice and defend my actions
I can see the lasers shootin' out of you and me
I can see the conflicts and disagreements between us
Sometimes I feel like the world
At times, I feel like the world is against me
Everything that I've done before
I have already accomplished so much in my life
I swear we used to be so pure
I remember when things were simpler and less complicated
But we can't be in love no more
Our relationship was once strong, but it is no longer sustainable
'Cause I don't wanna fight this war
I do not want to keep struggling and fighting
But when I put down my gun
When I stop fighting and resist the urge to retaliate
I turn around and pick up one
I still find myself in conflict with others
This uzi weighs a ton, but I think I'm done!
Carrying the weight of the conflict is too much for me and I am ready to move on
Think I'll be letting you go
I have decided to move on from you and our relationship
Things are getting, getting outta control oh
My life is becoming too overwhelming and chaotic
Said it feels like I'm running out of soul
My spirit is drained and I am losing my sense of self
You're getting heavy to hold
Dealing with you is becoming too difficult and burdensome
Think I'll be letting you go
I am choosing to end our relationship
Letting you go
I am finally freeing myself from the burdens and challenges of our relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID MAZOOR, WASALU JACO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@qpac786
10 years later and Lupe FIasco still helping to maintain my sanity. We need more music with SUBSTANCE!
@imasavage95
11
@sofa556
@people are amazing 12
@ericfugginz8841
5 years ago I bought this album and it saved my life. Fuck the negative response to it, I found jewels in this album. 1love
@umairali2568
Eric Fugginz saved your life? Lol
@leod8489
Eric Fugginz ....yesss sir*
@anaysavelazquez8961
Dude same here, this album got me thru some dark dark stuff
@TheHouseOffice
I cried so many nights listening to this song on loop. <3 so good to feel understood.
@mikinpatel4587
Really??
@mikinpatel4587
I sang this WITH headphones on for the girl i loved...now i lost her..