City Lights
Method Man Lyrics


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I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

I'm rollin' in my ride, my eyes real chinky
Hit 145, 'bout like 12 twinkies
Today a good day, I know don't jinx it
I will keep a Smith, just like J Pinkett
Baby without blinking, I do it my way
I shit on folks, the opposite of arcade
I'm rude pardon me, I'm too hood doc
On your mind all the time, like New ERA
Who am I
That nigga too fly
My mama gave birth on Continental Airlines
I ain't lyin'
I'm back boy, you hit the backboard
I'm all swish make a memo on your blackboard
This class here nigga is for the underground
UGK, Doc and Meth locking the summer down
And I ain't playin' games homie, so get it right
'Cause I get tore I I get tore up under city lights

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

Yo, I dropped in 95, now I'm on 95
South in the dirty been ridin' dirty since dirty died
I guess you dirty my nigga, heard me I'm certified
And when I ride I'm wit Reggie Noble, New Jersey drive
I make it happen homie, I take you back when I was wearing Pony's
And the older niggas be snapping on me
How many rapper know me? I know a cash on
Face is the game I take it, and Holy matrimony
And now can't nothing hold me, I floss with UGK
Some dudes are more like Kobe, I'm more like Rudy Ray
You either in it pimpin' or you just in the way
I love this life that I'm livin', your shit can end today
Two things to know about me, I guess I never change
And keep this money like Southern Cali, it never rain
See, I ain't playin games wit ya, so get it right
And I get tore I I get tore up under city lights

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

For the king of the trill is up in this bitch
Drop the top and I hit the switch
You see my leather seats tuck and stitch
Texas niggas, we getting rich
Fuck a hater man, fuck a snitch
G code nigga we don't love the po po
No more swag man, pass the do do
We keep it super tight like pants in Soho
I'm bout my Doe hoe so don't play wit my bread man
I been tryin' to stop the violence nowadays so instead
I'm poppin' a truck and grabbing that chopper wit' an AK to your head
I'd rather be laying up in the bed wit you baby and making head
Yeah, my Cadillac cold candy painted dripping like Bernadette
My steerlin' wheel is woodgrain I grip it and turn it quick
I'm riding 4s both black and yellow stripes like a Steeler
And as far as rims go, I'm a 84 wheeler
A slab peeler when I mash out in the Caddy
Lean it back up on the leather man and smoking on a fatty
It's UGK 4 Life if you ain't know you'd better get it right
(Why?) I get tore up I I get tore up on the city lights

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights




I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights

Overall Meaning

The song “City Lights” by Method Man & Redman is a celebration of urban life and the fun and mischief that can be had in the city under the bright lights. The chorus is a repeated line “I get tore up under city lights”, indicating the high-energy and pleasure felt by the two artists while immersed in the vibrant nightlife of the city. The song speaks about their experiences of driving around the city streets in their cars, bumping music and enjoying the sights and sounds around them. They talk about being flashy with their cars, clothes, and jewelry, but do not care about what others think or say about them. They are simply enjoying their life and the moment.


The verses of the song further elaborates on the carefree spirit of the artists. They speak about their past experiences, older memories, and their love for the underground scene. In the second verse, they talk about their success and how they are financially comfortable but remain true to their roots. The last verse is all about representing Texas and its culture, being gangster but also trying to stay non-violent in their approach.


Line by Line Meaning

I get tore up, I get tore up under city lights
I get intoxicated and party hard in every city, especially under the lights of the city.


Tore up every city, I get tore up under city lights
I party hard and get intoxicated in every city I visit, especially under the city lights.


Tore up under city lights, tore up under city lights
I love to party hard and get wasted under the city lights of every city.


I'm rollin' in my ride, my eyes real chinky
I am driving around in my car with my eyes squinting due to being intoxicated.


Hit 145, 'bout like 12 twinkies
I am driving at 145 miles per hour, which is about the same speed as 12 cream-filled cakes called twinkies.


Today a good day, I know don't jinx it
Today is a good day and I don't want to ruin it by jinxing it with bad thoughts or actions.


I will keep a Smith, just like J Pinkett
I will carry a Smith and Wesson gun for my protection, just like the actress Jada Pinkett-Smith in the movie "Set It Off".


Baby without blinking, I do it my way
I do things my way without hesitation or second-guessing.


I shit on folks, the opposite of arcade
I am better than other people and don't care about their opinions, which is the opposite of the game arcade where everyone can play and have fun.


I'm rude pardon me, I'm too hood doc
I am unapologetically rude because I am from the ghetto and this is just how I am.


On your mind all the time, like New ERA
I am always on people's minds, just like the New Era brand of hats that are ubiquitous in hip-hop culture.


Who am I
I am Method Man & Redman, two famous rappers.


That nigga too fly
I am a very stylish and cool person.


My mama gave birth on Continental Airlines
My mother gave birth to me while on a Continental Airlines flight.


I ain't lyin'
I am not telling a lie.


I'm back boy, you hit the backboard
I have returned and made a big impact, like a basketball player who slams the ball into the backboard.


I'm all swish make a memo on your blackboard
I am doing well and hitting my shots, which means there should be a note on the blackboard about how great I am doing.


This class here nigga is for the underground
This is music for the subculture or people who don't conform to mainstream culture.


UGK, Doc and Meth locking the summer down
UGK (Underground Kingz), Dr. Dre, and Method Man are dominating the summer with their music.


And I ain't playin' games homie, so get it right
I am serious and not messing around, so people better understand my intentions and actions.


'Cause I get tore I I get tore up under city lights
I love to party hard and get intoxicated in every city I visit, especially under the city lights.


Yo, I dropped in 95, now I'm on 95
I started my career in 1995 and now I am still relevant and popular in hip-hop music.


South in the dirty been ridin' dirty since dirty died
I am from the southern USA where things can be tough, and I have been living a tough life since rapper DJ Screw (nicknamed Dirty) died.


I guess you dirty my nigga, heard me I'm certified
You can consider me dirty or tough, my friend, and I am officially certified in my music and career.


And when I ride I'm wit Reggie Noble, New Jersey drive
When I am driving around I am accompanied by rapper Reggie Noble (Redman) and we are listening to the soundtrack of the movie "New Jersey Drive" which depicts car culture in the state.


I make it happen homie, I take you back when I was wearing Pony's
I am very successful in my career and can take you back to when I was wearing shoes from the brand Pony, which was popular in hip-hop culture.


And the older niggas be snapping on me
Older rappers used to criticize me for my style or skills, but I have proven them wrong and become a success.


How many rapper know me? I know a cash on
Many rappers are familiar with me and my work, while I also understand how to make money and succeed financially.


Face is the game I take it, and Holy matrimony
Being in the public eye (my face is literally part of my brand) is part of my job, and I am committed to my partner in marriage.


And now can't nothing hold me, I floss with UGK
There is nothing that can stop me from succeeding and I am connected with the legendary group UGK (Underground Kingz) in my success.


Some dudes are more like Kobe, I'm more like Rudy Ray
Some people are like the highly-skilled athlete Kobe Bryant, but I am more like Rudy Ray Moore, who was known for his comedic talents that weren't necessarily athletic.


You either in it pimpin' or you just in the way
You are either succeeding and making money (as a pimp might do) or you are just in the way and irrelevant.


I love this life that I'm livin', your shit can end today
I love my life and everything I have worked for, but it can all end suddenly and unexpectedly so I appreciate it while I have it.


Two things to know about me, I guess I never change
I am a consistent person and don't change who I am or my values.


And keep this money like Southern Cali, it never rain
I am good at keeping and managing my money, just like how Southern California has consistent good weather with little to no rain.


I get tore up I I get tore up under city lights
I love to party hard and get intoxicated in every city I visit, especially under the city lights.


For the king of the trill is up in this bitch
I am the ruler of the "trill" or authentic style of hip-hop and I am present in this location.


Drop the top and I hit the switch
I lower the top on my car and activate the hydraulic system ("hit the switch") for show.


You see my leather seats tuck and stitch
My car has leather seats that are well-made and stylish with good stitching.


Texas niggas, we getting rich
People from Texas, especially African-American people, are becoming wealthy through hard work and success.


Fuck a hater man, fuck a snitch
I don't care about people who hate or report on me to the authorities.


G code nigga we don't love the po po
I follow the "G code" or a certain set of principles in hip-hop culture, which means I don't cooperate or like the police.


No more swag man, pass the do do
I don't care about people's style or appearance ("swag"), I just want them to pass me the marijuana ("do do").


We keep it super tight like pants in Soho
We keep things very close and private, like the tight pants worn in the trendy Soho neighborhood of New York City.


I'm bout my Doe hoe so don't play wit my bread man
I am serious about my money, so don't try to mess with it or play games with me.


I been tryin' to stop the violence nowadays so instead
I am trying to promote non-violence in my music and life nowadays, so instead of violence I focus on other activities.


I'm poppin' a truck and grabbing that chopper wit' an AK to your head
I grab a shotgun ('that chopper') and an AK-47 rifle to protect myself and attack others if necessary.


I'd rather be laying up in the bed wit you baby and making head
I would prefer to be spending time in bed with my partner and enjoying sex or oral sex.


Yeah, my Cadillac cold candy painted dripping like Bernadette
My Cadillac car is painted with a cold, candy-like paint color that appears to be dripping like the character Bernadette in the movie "Boyz n the Hood".


My steerlin' wheel is woodgrain I grip it and turn it quick
The steering wheel in my car is covered in woodgrain material that I grip tightly and can turn quickly.


I'm riding 4s both black and yellow stripes like a Steeler
My car has 4 wheels with both black and yellow stripes, similar to the NFL team Pittsburgh Steelers.


And as far as rims go, I'm a 84 wheeler
I have many (84) impressive car rims to show off my wealth and style.


A slab peeler when I mash out in the Caddy
I am peeling out in my Cadillac car ("slab") when I drive around in it.


Lean it back up on the leather man and smoking on a fatty
I am leaning back in my car seat made of leather and smoking a marijuana cigarette ("fatty").


It's UGK 4 Life if you ain't know you'd better get it right
UGK (Underground Kingz) is forever, and people should understand their legacy and influence in hip-hop music.


(Why?) I get tore up I I get tore up under city lights
I love to party hard and get intoxicated in every city I visit, especially under the city lights.




Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Christopher Barriere, Chad Butler, Bernard Freeman, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, O'kelly Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley, Christopher Jasper, William Larsen, Reggie Noble, Clifford Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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