On June 11, 2018, Kanye published a tweet showing urbandictonary.com’s definition of the “Seven Deadly Sins.” It has been theorized that each song from the album correlates to one of these sins, with “Simple Things” corresponding to “Envy.”
Nas notes how jealousy is often disguised as criticism of his personal life, possibly alluding to recent claims by his ex-wife that he was cheating and physically abusing her:
"Was lovin' women, you’ll never see
All you know’s my kids' mothers, some celebrities
Damn, look at the jealousy!
Lucky me, I meet some beauties
Make you wanna shoot me
Hate to brag, my worst batch kills off your best cutie…"
He eventually concludes that all he wants is peace for himself and his children—appreciation for the simple things in life has allowed him to infect the world with his humility.
Simple Things
Nas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm looking in Longevity's eyes
I play with Infinity's mind, Forever's my guy
My pedigree above your ass, you'll never see I
I love the past, but see, where I'm goin' I get to fly
Never sold a record for the beat, it's my verses they purchase
Without production, I'm worthless
Want me to sound like every song on the Top 40
I'm not for you, you not for me, you bore me
I drop lines prestigious schools read to their students
Look at my album plaques, somebody agrees with the music
Was lovin' women, you'll never see
All you knows my kids' mothers, some celebrities
Damn, look at the jealousy!
Lucky me, I meet some beauties
Make you wanna shoot me
Hate to brag, my worst batch kills off your best cutie
Facts is deep, we break up, they hook up with athletes
Get married 'cause we wasn't that match, my G
Don't attach me to the games, I'm lucky, I'm blessed
One of my exes could be your next, dog trust me, don't test
It's the simple things in life, simple things in life
Simple things in life, simple things in life
It's the simple things in life, simple things in life
Simple things in life, simple things in life
Rollin' dice, throw no aces
With my gangsters, we discussin' buyin' acres
Other safe bets, nothin' regular or basic
Ridin' back to back, me and Jungle in some spaceships
Where the squad at?
You can see us on the ave, chop it up as always
Stand up, Queensbridge, now the world know us
Everybody sayin' my humility's infectious
I just want my kids to have the same peace I'm blessed with
In the first verse of Nas's song "Simple Things," he reflects on his success as a rapper and his journey to where he is now. He boasts about his skills as a lyricist, stating that his verses are what people come to hear, not just the beat. He also acknowledges that he is moving forward and continuing to evolve as an artist. Nas acknowledges the women he has loved and the jealousy that his success often brings, but he reminds listeners that he is blessed and not to test him.
The chorus of the song, "It's the simple things in life," is a nod to his appreciation for the small, everyday things that make life enjoyable. Nas recognizes that his success has come with material things, but he finds joy in the simple things, like spending time with friends and family.
In the second verse, Nas raps about his life in Queensbridge with his close friends, reminiscing about rolling dice and discussing making investments in properties. He's proud of where he came from and where he is now, and he wants the same for his children.
Overall, "Simple Things" is a reflection on Nas's life, acknowledging his success but also finding value in the small things that bring him happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
And I know where I'm going to
I have a clear sense of direction in my life
I'm looking in Longevity's eyes
I am focused on achieving long-term success
I play with Infinity's mind, Forever's my guy
I am constantly exploring new ideas and concepts for my work and my legacy will endure
My pedigree above your ass, you'll never see I
My talent and background are superior to yours and you will never understand or appreciate my level of greatness
I love the past, but see, where I'm goin' I get to fly
I cherish my past accomplishments, but I am excited to explore new opportunities and achieve even greater success
Never sold a record for the beat, it's my verses they purchase
My talent as a lyricist is what sets me apart from other artists and what drives the success of my career
Without production, I'm worthless
While my lyrics are my strength, I understand and value the importance of production and collaboration in creating great music
But I'm more than the surface
I am a complex and deep artist who deserves to be appreciated for more than just my surface level characteristics
Want me to sound like every song on the Top 40
Some people expect me to conform to the popular trends in music rather than stay true to my own style and vision
I'm not for you, you not for me, you bore me
I do not seek to please everyone and I recognize when certain people or situations do not align with my personal goals and values
I drop lines prestigious schools read to their students
My lyrics are intellectually stimulating and worthy of study and appreciation
Look at my album plaques, somebody agrees with the music
The success of my music speaks for itself and proves that many people appreciate and connect with my work
Was lovin' women, you'll never see
I have had romantic relationships in the past that have remained private and will not be revealed to the public
All you knows my kids' mothers, some celebrities
While some aspects of my personal life may be public, there are still many details that remain private and outside of the public eye
Damn, look at the jealousy!
Some people are envious of my success and lifestyle, which is a testament to the quality of my work and reputation
Lucky me, I meet some beauties
I have had the privilege of meeting and interacting with many beautiful and interesting women
Make you wanna shoot me
My success and attractive lifestyle may make some individuals feel resentful or hostile towards me
Hate to brag, my worst batch kills off your best cutie
Even my lowest quality of romantic partners would exceed the standards of some individuals
Facts is deep, we break up, they hook up with athletes
My ex-girlfriends may go on to date and marry professional athletes due to their own success and social circles
Get married 'cause we wasn't that match, my G
My past romantic relationships ended because we were not compatible with each other, and I hold no ill will towards my ex-partners for moving on
Don't attach me to the games, I'm lucky, I'm blessed
I am not interested in petty arguments or dramas in the entertainment industry, as I feel fortunate and grateful for my own successes and blessings
One of my exes could be your next, dog trust me, don't test
My past partners are capable and accomplished individuals who could potentially date and marry someone else, and I encourage others to respect and appreciate them for who they are
It's the simple things in life, simple things in life
I appreciate and value the small pleasures and joys in life, rather than solely focusing on material success and possessions
Rollin' dice, throw no aces
I take risks and gamble in life, but do not always achieve the desired outcome
With my gangsters, we discussin' buyin' acres
I surround myself with like-minded individuals who share my values and goals for financial success and investment
Other safe bets, nothin' regular or basic
I prefer to pursue unconventional opportunities and investments rather than rely on traditional, predictable ventures
Ridin' back to back, me and Jungle in some spaceships
I enjoy taking exciting and adventurous trips with my close friends and collaborators
Where the squad at?
I am seeking out my group of trusted friends and associates for a fun and exciting outing
You can see us on the ave, chop it up as always
I enjoy spending time with my friends and discussing various topics on the street corner
Stand up, Queensbridge, now the world know us
I am proud to represent my hometown of Queensbridge and am glad that our community is becoming recognized and celebrated on a global scale
Everybody sayin' my humility's infectious
Many people appreciate and respect my humble and grounded personality, which has become a defining characteristic of mine
I just want my kids to have the same peace I'm blessed with
My ultimate goal in life is to provide a peaceful and fulfilling life for my children, which I have been fortunate enough to experience myself
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nasir Jones, Mike Dean, Kanye Omari West
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind