Quit It
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
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You take wine to forget about time
You create a world of your own
Where the truth will never be known
Well brother, don't you know now
That you're killing yourself
And nobody else
Why don't you quit it now?
Yeah, why don't you quit it now?
You better quit it now
I said you better quit it now
Cloud nine, no responsibility
You're floating in space, feeling good
Running away will never make you a man
'Cause reality is gonna bring you down
But brother, don't you know now
That you're killing yourself
And nobody else
You better quit it now
Why don't you quit it now?
Lord have mercy
Why don't you quit it now?
Yeah, you better quit it now
You got a problem
See a doctor
Doctor can't help
See your brother
Why don't you try talking to your mama sometime?
Remember she brought you into this world
But sister, don't you know now
That you're killing yourself
And nobody else
You better quit it now (Yeah, yeah yeah)
You better quit it now
In "Quit It," Miriam Makeba addresses the issue of substance abuse, specifically drug addiction and alcoholism, and implores the user to quit before it's too late. The first verse describes the user's reliance on drugs and alcohol to cope with the pressures of life, creating a world for themselves where they can avoid the truth. The chorus urges the user to quit and take responsibility for their own well-being, rather than continuing down a path that will only lead to self-destruction.
The second verse describes the temporary highs of drug and alcohol use, but emphasizes that avoiding reality will not solve the underlying issues. The bridge suggests seeking help from a doctor or family member, but ultimately the user must take the initiative to quit on their own. The final chorus repeats the urgency of quitting, for the sake of the user's own health and future.
The lyrics of "Quit It" are a powerful message against substance abuse, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and personal responsibility in overcoming addiction. By acknowledging the destructive nature of drugs and alcohol, Makeba encourages the user to confront their problems head-on and take positive steps towards sobriety.
Line by Line Meaning
You take drugs to psych your mind
You consume drugs to alter your psychological state
You take wine to forget about time
You drink wine to escape reality and ignore the passage of time
You create a world of your own
You construct a personal, isolated world to live in
Where the truth will never be known
Where facts and reality will always be obscured
Well brother, don't you know now
Hey friend, aren't you aware
That you're killing yourself
That your behaviour is self-destructive
And nobody else
And no one is responsible for your actions except you
Why don't you quit it now?
Can't you stop now?
Yeah, why don't you quit it now?
Yes, why can't you put an end to it right now?
You better quit it now
You really should quit immediately
I said you better quit it now
I'm insisting that you never do it again
Cloud nine, no responsibility
You're euphoric, free from pressure
You're floating in space, feeling good
You feel buoyant like you're drifting in space
Running away will never make you a man
Fleeing from your problems doesn't prove your strength
'Cause reality is gonna bring you down
Because eventually life will hit you hard
But brother, don't you know now
But my friend, how can you not know
That you're killing yourself
That your actions are lethal to yourself
And nobody else
And no one else is responsible for your health but you
Why don't you quit it now?
Can't you stop your bad choices?
Lord have mercy
God have mercy on you
Yeah, you better quit it now
Yes, you should stop immediately
You got a problem
You have an issue
See a doctor
Consult a medical professional
Doctor can't help
A doctor may not be able to solve your issue entirely
See your brother
Talk to a family member or close friend
Why don't you try talking to your mama sometime?
Why not try speaking to your mother?
Remember she brought you into this world
Remember that she gave birth to you
But sister, don't you know now
But my friend, aren't you aware
That you're killing yourself
That your actions are self-destructive
And nobody else
And no one but you is accountable for your decisions
You better quit it now (Yeah, yeah yeah)
You need to stop immediately (Yes, yes, yes)
You better quit it now
You must stop immediately
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SIBONGILE MAKEBA, CAIPHUS SEMENYA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alphonseonye3009
Mama Africa contributed a lot to African music. I knew her from the early 70s
@spottedliver
Fantastic.
@vikkismith7497
Miriam mackeba was a popular name in the 70s and 80s .
@rinaf6550
Absolutely a LEGEND!!!
@marlirodrigues1215
Miriam mankeka uma griffe da música mundial cultural atemporal inesquecivel e insubstituivel ..
@flaviabatistasantos4492
Adorei!
@claudiopedroso8077
❤❤❤❤❤
@sekibakibapeterlekgoathi7029
The message is as pertinent and powerful today as it was many years ago when Mama Africa released this song. I love this song.
@myworldlovesme
Thank you Miriam for standing for Ukraine❤
@francinesicard464
We all stand for Ukraine. She had been an activist against apartheid and injustice all her life and she "accompanied" my youth in East Africa. Her music, her voice is part of my life. She was beautiful, smart, talented and kept her unforgettable smile despite all she went through.