Questions
Mos Def & Common Lyrics
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It's the questions (what) it's the questions come on
The questions (what) it's the questions boy
It's the questions (hah) it's the questions yeah
Talking bout the questions, it's the questions y'all
It's the questions (what) it's the questions, dig it
The questions (why) it's the questions boy
It's the questions (huh) that's what it's all about
Yo, yo
What is an emcee if the wall ain't got no back
(I don't know, yo, he must be kinda wack)
What is paper to a nigga if the nigga don't stack
(Yo, why the hell you asking me that)
Why do these girls, look so good in the summer
(I don't know, I'm just saying this shit)
If you got ta-dat-ta-dat-tap for your lady would you wanna
(Hmmm, yeah, right)
Cause you answer the phone peace do that mean that you not a freak
(Hell no! That's right)
Cause you recognize me, yo, I got to speak
(Why can't you speak What you big a star now)
Why you got-ta, act like, nigga, all the time
(Even on Sunday's you should)
Is a nigga yo' complexion, is it all in your mind
(It's all your mind)
What's it called y'all
It's the questions (what) it's the questions boy
It's the questions (what) it's the questions, yeah!
The questions (uh) it's the questions y'all
It's the questions (What) it's the questions come on
The questions, it's the questions boy
It's the questions (ah, uh ah) it's the questions, yeah
The questions (yes) it's the questions boy
It's the questions, that's what it's all about
Yo, if I'm a intellectual, I can't be sexual
(I don't know, you wanna be sexual)
If I want to, does that mean I lack respect for you
(I don't know you tell me)
You see a grown man, why fuck that young girl, are you lusting
(I might look twenty but I'm 15, slow down girl)
If you got paper like that, then why you still hustling
(Why you still hustling come on!)
Now you know yo' stomach too big, to be wearing a shirt like that
(Look at your stomach, it's sloppy)
So why, you want, to go and do that
Why ya why ya why ya why ya why ya wanna why ya wanna
Why ya wanna go and do that love huh
Yo why your girl gigiddy when my name come up
How come the industry build careers that don't last
(Uh-huh, that's right, ask him)
How come niggas don't know but they front and don't ask
Man I don't know, I don't know
It's the questions (what) it's the questions girl
It's the questions (what) it's the questions come on
The questions (what) it's the questions Com
It's the questions it's the questions yeah
Yo we talking bout the questions, it's the questions girl
It's the questions (the who, the where, the when, the why)
It's the questions, come on!
The questions, the questions y'all (yo we shoutin' it out)
It's the questions, that's what it's all about
Yo, why they say never say never, when they know that ain't right
(What)
Cause to never say never you done said never twice
(They scrubs, that's why yeah that's twice)
Why do I need I.D. to get I.D.
(I don't know, beats me beats me)
If I had I.D. I wouldn't need I.D.
(That's right, that's true)
Why do these fine ghetto women got so much ass
(Why'd you talking about our ass though come on now)
Why did Dr. J shave his beard and mustache
(Like this, and like this)
How you got high expectations but got no patience
(Come on, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know)
How come this joint named The Questions is so John Blazin'
(Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh) Man I don't know, I don't know
It's the questions (what) it's the questions boy
It's the questions, it's just my questions black
Some questions, it's the questions y'all
It's the questions (what) it's the questions, yo
Talking bout the questions, it's the questions girl
It's the questions (what) it's the questions, come on
The questions (which) and we're shoutin' it out
It's the questions (huh) that's what it's all about, yo
The song Questions by Mos Def and Common is an introspective exploration of deeper questions, musings, and doubts of everyday people. It emphasizes the importance of questioning the status quo and critically evaluating everything one believes to be true. The opening lines repeat the phrase “It’s the questions” while implicating that these are the very questions that people are hesitant to ask. The lyrics then delve into societal issues such as emcee credibility, age discrepancies in relationships, and the commodification of fame. It challenges the superficiality of society and encourages listeners to engage in profound discussions about the complexities and contradictions that shape their worldviews.
At its core, Questions is a reminder to keep questioning in life. It highlights the importance of critical thinking, self-reflection, and introspection. The song purposefully asks deeply philosophical questions within casual conversations, highlighting how everyday dialogue can inspire deeper thought. Questions is a song that forces listeners to look past the surface level, to think about why things are the way they are and how they can be changed.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the questions (what) it's the questions boy
The song is addressing a series of thought-provoking questions.
Talking bout the questions, it's the questions y'all
The song emphasizes that its central theme is questions.
What is an emcee if the wall ain't got no back
The first question is about the identity of an emcee who does not have a support system.
What is paper to a nigga if the nigga don't stack
The second question is about the value of paper (money) to a person who does not save it.
Why do these girls, look so good in the summer
The third question is about the attractiveness of women during the summer season.
If you got ta-dat-ta-dat-tap for your lady would you wanna
The fourth question is about whether a man would want to have to constantly perform for his partner.
Cause you answer the phone peace do that mean that you not a freak
The fifth question is about whether answering the phone politely means a person is not interested in sexual activities.
Cause you recognize me, yo, I got to speak
The sixth question is about why people feel obliged to speak to celebrities they recognize.
Why you got-ta, act like, nigga, all the time
The seventh question is about why some people constantly adopt an aggressive attitude.
Is a nigga yo' complexion, is it all in your mind
The eighth question is about whether race is just a concept.
If I'm a intellectual, I can't be sexual
The ninth question is about whether a person who identifies as an intellectual can also be sexual.
If I want to, does that mean I lack respect for you
The tenth question is about whether wanting to be sexual demonstrates a lack of respect for the other person.
You see a grown man, why fuck that young girl, are you lusting
The eleventh question is about the inappropriate nature of relationships between adults and minors.
If you got paper like that, then why you still hustling
The twelfth question is about why wealthy individuals continue to engage in illicit activities.
Now you know yo' stomach too big, to be wearing a shirt like that
The thirteenth question is about the appropriateness of wearing certain clothes that do not flatter one's body type.
Yo why your girl gigiddy when my name come up
The fourteenth question is about why someone's girlfriend becomes excited when hearing the name of someone else.
How come the industry build careers that don't last
The fifteenth question is about the music industry's tendency to construct short-lived careers.
How come niggas don't know but they front and don't ask
The sixteenth question is about the tendency of people to pretend they know something without asking for clarification.
Yo, why they say never say never, when they know that ain't right
The seventeenth question is about the paradoxical nature of the saying 'never say never'.
Why do I need I.D. to get I.D.
The eighteenth question is about the circular requirement of having identification to obtain identification.
If I had I.D. I wouldn't need I.D.
The nineteenth question continues the theme of the previous question, questioning the need for identification.
Why do these fine ghetto women got so much ass
The twentieth question is about the physique of women who reside in urban areas.
Why did Dr. J shave his beard and mustache
The twenty-first question is about the reason behind basketball player Dr. J shaving his facial hair.
How you got high expectations but got no patience
The twenty-second question is about people who have high aspirations yet lack patience.
How come this joint named The Questions is so John Blazin'
The twenty-third question is a rhetorical one about the popularity of the song despite lacking a clear chorus.
It's the questions, it's just my questions black
The refrain of the song reminds the listener that the lyrics are simply a series of questions.
The questions (which) and we're shoutin' it out
The song ends by emphasizing the importance of asking questions.
It's the questions (huh) that's what it's all about, yo
The final line of the song reiterates the central theme of the song: asking questions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, JEFFREY ATKINS, IRVING LORENZO, ROBERT MAYS, REGGIE NOBLE, CLIFFORD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind