Joy
Mos Def / Talib Kweli Lyrics


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Wooaahh! yeah
On top of the world
Yeah, that's how my seeds got me feeling' right now
On top of the world
Yeah, you ever felt like you could do anything, (Yeah)
On top of the world
I'ma hold y'all down for real, (Gotcha!)
It was 1996, fourth of July, looking off in the sky
Dealing with thoughts inside, when something caught my eye
It was a silhouette of a beautiful woman, bright with life
Carrying my first seed, looking like she gone bear fruit tonight
We at the African street festival, and she walking around
Talking about the midwife said, that bring the baby down
I'm about to be a father, the sights and sounds,
Seem brighter around me
And for starters, I know I'ma work harder, word
We got home at three in the morning, I was beat
Them contractions started coming as soon as I fell asleep
Three oh five, like every five minutes, then the water broke
We on the go, yelling at the cabbie, cause he's sort of slow
You know them hospitals all trying to get paid, no questions
Hear come the doctor's with they drugs, trying to do see-sections
But my baby stay's strong, in labor for yay long
Eight-pound baby boy, to carry my name on, joy!

Huh, yeah
I know how you feel, Kweli I know how you feel
(That's the sound of joy)
See my brother, I know how you feel, Kweli, I know how you feel
(That's the sound of joy)
So when you, have a seed, come in the world, say dog that shit's real
(That's the sound of joy, y'all)
Huh, Kweli, yo I know how you feel, Kweli, yo I know how you feel

My baby girl

June 10th, 1999, I been on the grind
Since the birth of my son, it's been about, way more then rhymes
Baby on the way, my lady glowing today, at least
That's what the midwife said, on the phone
Anyway, the music got me going away
Like everyday, but it's a blessing, so I gotta have patience
And she got pregnant on a Jamaican vacation
So it's all good, this time well have the baby in a house
I went the hospital route, I know what they all about (Never again)
So I'm out on tour, in Baltimore
Get the call around four, when the water hit the floor (Damn!)
I gotta rock my show, but I gotta go
Got second thoughts about her not going, to the hospital
I left the show early, Mos held me down, good looking (No doubt)
Call the car service, like, take me straight to Brooklyn (Uh huh)
Got the news in the car, stayed sorta calm
But I cried tears of joy,
When they put my daughter in my arms, how precious!

Huh, yeah
I know how you feel, Kweli I know how you feel
(That's the sound of joy)
See my brother, I know how you feel, Kweli, I know how you feel
(That's the sound of joy)
So when you, have a seed, come in the world, say dog that shit's real
(That's the sound of joy, y'all)
Huh, Kweli, yo I know how you feel, Kweli, yo I know how you feel

I do it for the seeds y'all,
In they formative years when they need y'all
We gotta believe, in what we conceive y'all, it's deep y'all
I give them the truth,
So they approach the situation, with ammunition
I keep nothing away,
They hear everything, cause they know how to listen
Teach them the game, so they know they position, so they can grow
And make decisions, that change the world, and break old tradition
They put kids in jail, for a life they ain't even get to start
That's murder too, and it's breaking my heart,
It's breaking our nation apart
We gave the youth all the anger, it's just
We ain't taught them, how to express it, and so it's dangerous
You can't talk to them
Unless your language is relating to what they going through
So busy ignoring them, you can't see what they showing you
And you wonder, why we called baby-daddy's and baby-momma's
When we grow up, we can't act like adult mothers and fathers, yo
I'm so blessed to have a boy and a girl,
Everyday they bring joy to my world

Huh, yeah
I know how you feel, Kweli I know how you feel
(That's the sound of joy)
See my brother, I know how you feel, Kweli, I know how you feel
(That's the sound of joy)
So when you, have a seed, come in the world, say dog that shit's real
(That's the sound of joy, y'all)
Huh, Kweli, yo I know how you feel, Kweli, yo I know how you feel





I do it for the seeds y'all

Overall Meaning

The song "Joy" by Mos Def / Talib Kweli is a heartfelt tribute to the birth of their children. The lyrics describe the joy and wonder they feel as they watch their babies come into the world, and the deep love and commitment they have to raising them. The song explores the challenges and fears that come with parenthood, such as dealing with the hospital and doctors during labor and the need to provide a positive and supportive environment for their kids to thrive in. The lyrics also touch on the ongoing responsibility that comes with raising children, such as teaching them the truth, helping them to grow and make decisions, and addressing the societal issues that impact their lives.


The song was released in 1999 as part of the album "Black on Both Sides" and has since become a beloved hip-hop classic. Beyond its emotional lyrics and beautiful storytelling, "Joy" is notable for its production value and use of sampling. The song incorporates samples from various sources, including an Isley Brothers song, "Footsteps in the Dark," and a dialogue from the film "The Education of Sonny Carson," adding layers of depth and resonance to the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Wooaahh! yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm about the subject at hand.


On top of the world
Feeling extremely happy and successful.


Yeah, that's how my seeds got me feeling' right now
Referring to his children as 'seeds' and expressing the immense joy they bring him.


Yeah, you ever felt like you could do anything, (Yeah)
Asking if the listener has ever felt invincible, capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.


I'ma hold y'all down for real, (Gotcha!)
Promising to support and protect those in his community.


It was 1996, fourth of July, looking off in the sky
Recalling a specific moment in time, emphasizing the importance of this event and the memories associated with it.


Dealing with thoughts inside, when something caught my eye
Thinking deeply about personal issues when he was distracted by something unexpected.


It was a silhouette of a beautiful woman, bright with life
Seeing a pregnant woman who appeared healthy and happy.


Carrying my first seed, looking like she gone bear fruit tonight
Observing the pregnant woman and realizing that he is about to become a father for the first time.


We at the African street festival, and she walking around
Being at a festival and seeing the pregnant woman walking around among the crowd.


Talking about the midwife said, that bring the baby down
Having a conversation about the midwife's advice on how to bring the baby down (prepare for birth).


I'm about to be a father, the sights and sounds, seem brighter around me
Realizing that he is about to become a father for the first time and it feels like the world around him has become more vivid and vibrant.


And for starters, I know I'ma work harder, word
Feeling motivated and determined to work harder now that he has a family to support.


We got home at three in the morning, I was beat
Arriving home late at night and feeling tired.


Them contractions started coming as soon as I fell asleep
The pregnant woman's contractions started happening as soon as he went to sleep.


Three oh five, like every five minutes, then the water broke
The pregnant woman's contractions became more frequent and her water broke.


We on the go, yelling at the cabbie, cause he's sort of slow
Frantically trying to get to the hospital and getting frustrated with the slow cab driver.


You know them hospitals all trying to get paid, no questions
Acknowledging that hospitals are focused on billing patients and may not prioritize their well-being.


Hear come the doctor's with they drugs, trying to do see-sections
Feeling like doctors are too quick to resort to medical interventions, like performing cesarean sections.


But my baby stay's strong, in labor for yay long
Proud of his partner for enduring a long labor and delivery process without needing a cesarean section.


Eight-pound baby boy, to carry my name on, joy!
Celebrating the birth of his son and feeling joy about him carrying on the family name.


I know how you feel, Kweli I know how you feel
Expressing empathy for his collaborator's experiences as a parent and understanding the emotions that come with it.


(That's the sound of joy)
This is the sound of pure joy and happiness.


My baby girl
Introducing the subject of his second child, a daughter.


June 10th, 1999, I been on the grind
Recalling the date of his daughter's birth and emphasizing that he has been working hard to provide for his family since then.


Since the birth of my son, it's been about, way more then rhymes
Acknowledging that his priorities shifted after becoming a father and that he is now motivated by more than just music.


Baby on the way, my lady glowing today, at least
Referring to his partner's pregnancy and her beautiful glow during the experience.


That's what the midwife said, on the phone
Relaying information received from the midwife, who is advising them through the pregnancy.


Anyway, the music got me going away
Despite the stress of awaiting the birth, music is providing an escape for him and helping him through the process.


Like everyday, but it's a blessing, so I gotta have patience
Recognizing that the birth of his daughter is a blessing, but that he needs to be patient in order to fully appreciate it.


And she got pregnant on a Jamaican vacation
Revealing the place and time at which his partner became pregnant with their daughter.


So it's all good, this time well have the baby in a house
Feeling confident that this pregnancy will be a more relaxed and comfortable experience, as the birth will take place at home.


I went the hospital route, I know what they all about (Never again)
Having a negative experience with hospitals during his first child's birth and vowing to never go through that again.


So I'm out on tour, in Baltimore
Being on tour in Baltimore while his partner is close to giving birth.


Get the call around four, when the water hit the floor (Damn!)
Receiving a call that his partner's water has broken and reacting with frustration and concern.


I gotta rock my show, but I gotta go
Wanting to perform well at his show, but also needing to attend to his family and the birth of his daughter.


Got second thoughts about her not going, to the hospital
Having doubts about the decision to have the birth at home and wishing they had chosen to go to the hospital instead.


Mos held me down, good looking (No doubt)
Feeling grateful to his collaborator, Mos Def, for supporting him during this stressful time.


Call the car service, like, take me straight to Brooklyn (Uh huh)
Arranging for a car service to take him directly to Brooklyn, where his daughter is being born.


Got the news in the car, stayed sorta calm
Hearing the news of his daughter's birth while in the car and trying to remain calm during the unexpected situation.


But I cried tears of joy,
Feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude at the sight of his newborn daughter.


When they put my daughter in my arms, how precious!
Realizing the preciousness and fragility of life when holding his newborn daughter for the first time.


I do it for the seeds y'all
Reminding listeners that he is a father and that his motivation and inspiration comes from his love for his children.


In they formative years when they need y'all
Emphasizing the importance of being present for his children during their developmental years.


We gotta believe, in what we conceive y'all, it's deep y'all
Encouraging others to have faith in their beliefs and ideas, as these can be profound and transformative.


I give them the truth,
Promising to be honest with his children and share his personal experiences with them.


So they approach the situation, with ammunition
Teaching his children to be prepared for any situation and to have the tools and knowledge to overcome obstacles.


I keep nothing away,
Being open and transparent with his children about his own life experiences.


They hear everything, cause they know how to listen
Acknowledging that his children are attentive listeners and are able to absorb and learn from the information he shares with them.


Teach them the game, so they know they position, so they can grow
Mentoring his children and teaching them how to navigate life in order to reach their full potential.


And make decisions, that change the world, and break old tradition
Encouraging his children to think outside the box and challenge established norms in order to create a better world.


They put kids in jail, for a life they ain't even get to start
Critiquing the criminal justice system and highlighting the injustice of imprisoning young people for extended periods of time.


That's murder too, and it's breaking my heart,
Believing that incarcerating young people constitutes a form of murder and feeling heartbroken about this reality.


It's breaking our nation apart
Recognizing that social injustices like mass incarceration are contributing to the disintegration of society.


We gave the youth all the anger, it's just
Acknowledging that young people have a right to be angry about societal injustices.


We ain't taught them, how to express it, and so it's dangerous
Recognizing the importance of teaching children how to channel their anger in a productive and healthy way in order to avoid violent and destructive behavior.


You can't talk to them
Acknowledging that communication with young people can be difficult but that it's essential to understand and connect with them.


Unless your language is relating to what they going through
Stressing the importance of empathizing with young people in order to effectively communicate with them.


So busy ignoring them, you can't see what they showing you
Recognizing that adults often ignore the problems and issues young people are facing, which prevents them from seeing and understanding their struggles.


And you wonder, why we called baby-daddy's and baby-momma's
Considering the cultural phenomenon of referring to unmarried parents as 'baby-daddy's and baby-momma's.


When we grow up, we can't act like adult mothers and fathers, yo
Emphasizing the importance of behaving responsibly and maturely when raising children, even in situations where parents are not romantically involved.


I'm so blessed to have a boy and a girl,
Feeling grateful and fortunate to have both a son and a daughter.


Everyday they bring joy to my world
Highlighting the joy and happiness his children bring him on a daily basis.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD, TALIB KWELI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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