Papa can you hear me
NDubz Lyrics

DAP's to the Y
Greetings to the listeners

Nah, nah, frickin'
Exclamation of strong emotions

And this is for my dad
Dedication to the singer's father

Uncle B, yeah
Reference to the singer's mentor

I don't mean to bore, you know my name?
Acknowledgement of familiarity with the singer's persona

Chill for a second, just hear my pain
Request for empathy and understanding

If you've lost any loved ones, you'll feel what I'm saying
Assertion of shared mourning experiences

I hope it's peaceful down there where they layin'
Expression of hope for the deceased's well-being

When someone you loved, who put you up from the start
Reference to a parental or mentor figure

Built you up and made you into who you are
Recognition of the deceased's contribution to the singer's development

Who always believed, saying that you'll be a star
Affirmation of the deceased's support and encouragement

Then all of a sudden they just passed
Reference to the emotional impact of the death

He dash the reaper from on top of ma wardrobe
Metaphor for the prevention of death

Slap them crack from the side of the mouth
Metaphor for overcoming addiction

Put me on stage in front of a crowd
Recognition of the deceased's role in the singer's success

Now we're picking up awards while he's under the ground
Contrast between the singer's achievements and the deceased's death

My daddy this and my daddy that
Reference to the deceased

Well, I found mine dead on a couch in ma flat
Reference to the traumatic experience of discovering the death

So much to say, I wish I coulda said bye
Regret for not being able to properly say goodbye

The only time I'll talk to him is when I look into the sky, yeah
Belief in the afterlife and continued communication with the deceased

All I've got is these pictures of ya
Reference to the remaining physical memories of the deceased

And your light blue crack down Nokia
Specific memory of the deceased's belongings

Things in my house still smell of ya
Presence of the deceased in the singer's surroundings

Papa if you can hear me
Address to the deceased

I regret every bad thing that I said
Expression of remorse for past conflicts

Please forgive me if you hear me
Request for forgiveness

Never knew how much I loved ya till you was dead
Realization of the depth of love after death

If only you knew what you went and done
Recognition of the deceased's contributions and sacrifices

See all I know is I'm proud to be your son
Affirmation of pride in the familial relationship

There ain't a way in the world
Assertion of disbelief or impossibility

It's how I thought it would end up
Contrast between expectation and reality

If it wasn't for you B there wouldn't be N-Dubz
Recognition of the importance of the deceased mentor

Kept us together never knowing we'd end up
Acknowledgement of the mentor's guidance and support

Moving onto Mobo's pushing the bench up
Reference to the mentor's role in the singer's success

You pushed and pushed when no one wanted to believe
Recognition of the mentor's determination and support

But back then it was all a dream
Reference to the early stages of the singer's career

It's like you sacrificed your life
Acknowledgement of the mentor's sacrifices and efforts

For the love of success and a life full of stress, I'm vexed 'cause
Recognition of the challenges and difficulties in achieving success

First they love you, second they hate you
Reference to the fickleness of public opinion

They talked about you, when they tried to play you
Recognition of the negative scrutiny and criticism faced by the singer and mentor

Behind your back they were tryna betray you
Reference to the deceitful actions by others

But B, I never had a chance to repay you
Expression of gratitude and regret for not being able to repay the mentor

For the things you done for me, put me on the right path
Recognition of the mentor's positive influence on the singer's life

Kept me from steering left, yeah we had a right laugh
Reference to the mentor's guidance and the enjoyable times shared

But I be feeling like Bruce Willis
Reference to the character in the film 'Die Hard'

Each and everyday I really wanna 'Die Hard'
Expression of intense emotional pain and desire to 'die hard'

Remember everything that you said
Reference to the mentor's advice and guidance

The fights and the laughter
Reference to the shared experiences, both positive and negative

The success and disasters, no
Recognition of the ups and downs in life

But nothing seems clearer than the day you were gone
Expression of the clarity gained after the death

'Cause little girl you're a star, don't let 'em kill who you are
Quote from the mentor's advice about staying true to oneself

You see you gave me a chance and now look where I am
Recognition of the mentor's role in the singer's success

You are the reason, I can't wait to see you again
Expression of love and longing for the deceased

N-Dubz, Tulis, I have to say I dropped a tear when I done this shh
Acknowledgement of the emotional impact of the song

Like you'll say, you dunno what you got till you lose it
Reference to the common adage about appreciating something after it's gone

B you know, I'm gonna fulfill your wish
Promise to honor the mentor's legacy and wishes

And take care of mum's in the yard
Reference to the familial responsibility and duty