Her classic, critically acclaimed debut album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill went outside of the box for female rappers of her kind, making listeners think about greater causes in their community and how to be a powerful female without selling yourself short. The album also proved to be a huge landmark in rap, as it combined rap, r&b and neo-soul into a unique and beautiful mixture, full of different religious stories and concepts.
Although she retired after the success of her debut, mostly due to her child, Lauryn continued to make appearances at different shows (including at a concert with Drake in 2014). Shortly after announcing her official retirement, Lauryn returned to the scene to release MTV Unplugged 2.0, a live album where she explored with folk, departing from her rap/neo-soul style. Hill is also set to perform tracks from Miseducation in 2018 on its 20th Anniversary.
In a world where sex sells, Lauryn proved that her brand of empowering and soulful music is everlasting.
Guarding The Gates
Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics
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Where you going to
What you running from
What you going through
Where you coming from
What you going through
Where you coming from
What you gonna do
Where you going to
'Cause they wanna come
Where I'm showing you
Yes, they wanna come
Where I'm showing you
All that you could be is a spectacle
Following after every single miracle
Watch them marvel at
All the joy you have
But they're too important to have all the joy you have
What a tragedy, you can laugh at me, you can laugh at me
But I'm in love
Yes, I'm in love
Don't you wish you had real love
Yes, I'm in love
Tryna fix myself for society
Tryna mix myself for society
But can you tell me where is love in anxiety?
Can you tell me where is love in anxiety?
What you say to me
I don't mind at all
What you say to me
I don't really care at all
'Cause I'm in love
Don't you wish you had real love?
I know you do
Yes, I'm in love
Watch them speculate
All the life you live
Watch them try to hate
All the love you give
All the love you give
Everybody, everybody wants to know
Where you going to
'Cause they wanna come
Or so they think, until they find the cost of it
'Till they found out, found out what you lost for it
And I'll do it all again
'Cause I found love
'Cause I found love
Don't you wish you had real love?
I know you do
Yes, I'm in love
Everybody, everybody wants to know
Where you going to
What you running from
What you going through
Where you coming from
What you going through
Where you're coming from
Everybody, everybody wants to know
What you gonna do
Where you going to
'Cause they wanna come
Where I'm showing you
Yes, they wanna come
Where I'm showing you
All that you could be is a spectacle
Following after every single miracle
Watch them marvel at
All the joy you have
But they're too important to have all the joy you have
What a tragedy, you can laugh at me, you can laugh at me
But I'm in love
Yes, I'm in love
Don't you wish you had real love?
I know you do
Yes, I'm in love
So what you say to me, I don't even mind at all
What you say to me, I don't even care at all
'Cause I'm in love
Don't you wish you had real love?
I know you do
Don't you wish you had real love?
These broken thoughts in my mind
Can't let them get down in there
Can't let them get down in there
These broken thoughts in my mind
Can't let them get down in there
Can't let them get down in there
'Cause I need real love
I need real love
I'm guarding, guarding the gates
Oh, I'm guarding my gates
In "Guarding The Gates," Lauryn Hill addresses the curiosity and judgmental nature of society. The lyrics depict a struggle between staying true to oneself and conforming to societal expectations. The song starts with the repetition of everyone's desire to know where we are going, what we are going through, and where we are coming from. This reflects the common tendency for people to be nosy and constantly questioning the lives of others.
Hill emphasizes the idea that one's true happiness and joy may be perceived as a spectacle by others. People marvel at the joy someone possesses, but they are too consumed with their own importance to experience the same level of joy. The lyrics convey a sense of tragedy in this imbalance, as Hill is aware that others may laugh and judge her, but she remains in love, referring to a genuine and authentic love.
The chorus highlights the yearning for real love and the disregard for others' opinions. Hill acknowledges that society may try to define and criticize her, but she is in love and unaffected by their judgments. She encourages others to also seek and desire real love.
Throughout the song, Hill emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and guarding against negative influences. She reflects on the broken thoughts in her mind but asserts that she won't let them get to her. By guarding her gates, she is protecting herself from the external pressures and maintaining her authenticity.
Overall, "Guarding The Gates" conveys a message of self-love and defiance against societal expectations. It encourages listeners to stay true to themselves and prioritize genuine connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody, everybody wants to know
Everyone is curious and nosy
Where you going to
Where are you headed?
What you running from
What is it that you're trying to escape?
What you going through
What hardships are you facing?
Where you coming from
Where have you been?
What you going through
What difficulties are you experiencing?
Where you coming from
Where have you just come from?
What you gonna do
What are your plans?
Where you going to
Where are you headed?
'Cause they wanna come
Because they want to follow you
Where I'm showing you
To the place I'm leading you
Yes, they wanna come
Yes, they desire to join us
Where I'm showing you
To the place I'm leading you
All that you could be is a spectacle
People only see you as a source of entertainment
Following after every single miracle
Chasing after your every achievement
Watch them marvel at
Observe them being amazed by
All the joy you have
The happiness you possess
But they're too important to have all the joy you have
However, they consider themselves too superior to experience the same level of happiness as you
What a tragedy, you can laugh at me, you can laugh at me
It's ironic, they can mock me and make jokes about me
But I'm in love
Yet, I have found love
Yes, I'm in love
Indeed, I am deeply in love
Don't you wish you had real love
Don't you desire to experience genuine love?
Tryna fix myself for society
Trying to improve myself to meet society's expectations
Tryna mix myself for society
Attempting to blend in with society
But can you tell me where is love in anxiety?
Can you explain where love fits into a state of anxiety?
What you say to me
Your words towards me
I don't mind at all
I'm not bothered by it
What you say to me
Your words towards me
I don't really care at all
I don't have any concern for it
'Cause I'm in love
Because I am deeply in love
Don't you wish you had real love?
Don't you desire to experience genuine love too?
Watch them speculate
Observe them making assumptions
All the life you live
About the life you lead
Watch them try to hate
Observe them attempting to despise
All the love you give
About the love you share
'Till they found out, found out what you lost for it
Until they realize what you sacrificed for it
And I'll do it all again
And I would repeat it all
'Cause I found love
Because I have found love
Where are you going to
Where are you headed?
'Cause they wanna come
Because they want to follow you
Or so they think, until they find the cost of it
Or that's what they believe, until they realize the price it comes with
And I'll do it all again
And I would repeat it all
So what you say to me, I don't even mind at all
Therefore, I don't pay any attention to your words
What you say to me, I don't even care at all
Your words have no impact on me
I know you do
I am aware that you desire it
These broken thoughts in my mind
These fragmented ideas in my head
Can't let them get down in there
I must not allow them to affect me
'Cause I need real love
Because I am in need of genuine love
I'm guarding, guarding the gates
I am protecting and defending myself
Oh, I'm guarding my gates
Oh, I am protecting myself
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lauryn Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind