Daydreaming in the Projects
One of LA’s smartest young voices says the LA Times...which the artist susp… Read Full Bio ↴One of LA’s smartest young voices says the LA Times...which the artist suspects, may just be a covert way of saying LA is dumb. "Open" Mike Eagle wouldn't terribly mind, being born and raised in Chicago where the painful winters and his uppity grandparents kept him inside as a youth. He spent his formative years watching alternative music happen on MTV and hoping to one day be able to audition for the Native Tongues. As a young adult after graduating with a degree in Psychology, he did the next best thing and moved to Los Angeles, joining the Project Blowed collective where he made music and toured with Busdriver, Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, Nocando, and more. He’s also gained notoriety in the world of comedy by being invited by professional funny people (Paul F. Tompkins, Hannibal Buress, Matt Besser/UCB) to rap at their shows. He’d like to be rap’s Kurt Vonnegut but recognizes that he’d first have to create something as iconic as the four-stroke illustration of an anus. He practices by releasing rap albums that delight, entertain, and confuse.

Daydreaming in the Projects
Open Mike Eagle Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Da-da, da-da, da da)

So don't be mad at me
I used to breathe asthmatically
No strategy for whenever brain
Gets going, counting the stars through the growing pains
Foot the bill, take a sugar pill
Over the counter drugs, the ones niggas couldn't feel
Like the wooden wheel
Ben switched the island with
Long, stretched hair
Head high like a lion sit
Yeah, I'm trying to get it
But where did it go
Its under 10 inches of the lake effect snow
But Imma do whatever it takes so let's go
Let's go to the projects, let's go to the moon
Shout to Aes Rock for calling out my spoons
Shout to hip hoppers I met in high school
Y'all saved my life Thursday afternoons

(This goes out to)
Ghetto children, making codewords
In the projects around the world
Ghetto children, fighting dragons
In the projects around the world

Don't overlook it though
You gotta know what you couldn't know
Yeah I'm good to gone, head scrutinize
Put your gloves on and dig for a new surprise
It might be supersized, use all your muscles
Get in front of the groove just like a hustle, improve
The fight or scuffle, stay sharp for the moment
I rhyme for survival so the art is a bonus
I was sparked into motion back when carson was hosting
Everything is better when you dont know nothing
I'm grown so I'm always disgusted
All these discussions online is mayonnaise versus mustard
Mayonnaise people think French can't be trusted
Mustard people think eggs is all busted
But fuck it
We in it for the pattern interruptions

(This goes out to the)
Ghetto children, hacking networks
In the projects around the world
Ghetto children, splicing cable
In the projects around the world

So don't be mad at me
I overthink things radically
King tragedy
Prince everlong
Never shake up my eight-ball cause its never wrong
I sing whatever song I damn well please
Vintage 5deez or tempted by squeeze
My dispensary’s closed and I meant to buy weed
I'm salty at the airport in security
Tragic is the story of the cookie face king
Long black trench on the roof like Sting
Pointing bats at my enemies let it be known
Pull up at the show hitting every orange cone
I park where I want but I cry if I'm towed
I dont really know where it's right to buy clothes
Unregulated labor made all that I own
Can I make an impact if I strike the right tone
And keep saying words into microphones
It goes

Ghetto children




Solving problems
In the projects around the world

Overall Meaning

In the song Daydreaming in the Projects, Open Mike Eagle talks about how he used to struggle with asthma and how he had no strategy for dealing with his thoughts. He goes on to talk about counting stars and the growing pains that come with it, taking over-the-counter drugs and the ones that couldn't be felt. He then moves on to mention a wooden wheel and how Ben switched it with an island, referring to how life can be unpredictable and how one needs to adapt to change. He also mentions trying to get to a certain place but not knowing how to, and finally decides to go to the projects and the moon. The song is a tribute to those growing up in the ghetto across the world, who are solving problems and hacking networks in creative ways.


Throughout the song, Open Mike Eagle uses metaphors and wordplay to express his thoughts and feelings. For example, when he says, "No strategy for whenever brain gets going," he refers to the feeling of racing thoughts that can come with anxiety. He also talks about "counting the stars through the growing pains," which could be a metaphor for finding positivity in difficult times. Additionally, when he discusses being "good to gone," he means that he's leaving his old way of living behind.


The song also has a message of resilience and empowerment. Open Mike Eagle acknowledges that life can be tough, but he also emphasizes that people living in the projects around the world are capable of solving problems and making positive changes in their communities.


Line by Line Meaning

So don't be mad at me
Please don't be upset with me


I used to breathe asthmatically
I used to suffer from asthma and struggled to breathe


No strategy for whenever brain
I didn't have a plan for when my mind would wander


Gets going, counting the stars through the growing pains
During difficult times, I would distract myself by looking at stars


Foot the bill, take a sugar pill
I'd pay for medication that was ineffective


Over the counter drugs, the ones niggas couldn't feel
I'd buy drugs that didn't work for me, but were recommended by others


Like the wooden wheel
As useless as a wooden wheel


Ben switched the island with
Ben did something remarkable


Long, stretched hair
He grew his hair long


Head high like a lion sit
He held his head up high with confidence


Yeah, I'm trying to get it
I'm trying my best to succeed


But where did it go
But I'm not sure where it's gone


Its under 10 inches of the lake effect snow
It's buried under deep snow


But Imma do whatever it takes so let's go
But I'm determined to find it, so let's start searching


Let's go to the projects, let's go to the moon
Let's explore the world


Shout to Aes Rock for calling out my spoons
Thanks to Aesop Rock for noticing my art


Shout to hip hoppers I met in high school
Thanks to the rappers I met in high school who inspired me


Y'all saved my life Thursday afternoons
You helped me get through tough times on Thursday afternoons


(This goes out to)


Ghetto children, making codewords
Kids in underprivileged areas creating their own secret language


In the projects around the world
In areas with little resources globally


Ghetto children, fighting dragons
Kids in tough situations battling their own personal demons


Don't overlook it though
Don't underestimate the situation


You gotta know what you couldn't know
You must acknowledge what you don't know


Yeah I'm good to gone, head scrutinize
I'm ready to face challenges with a clear and critical mind


Put your gloves on and dig for a new surprise
Prepare yourself for unexpected findings


It might be supersized, use all your muscles
It could be a big challenge, but give it your all


Get in front of the groove just like a hustle, improve
Take control of the situation and make it better


The fight or scuffle, stay sharp for the moment
Be prepared for conflict and stay focused


I rhyme for survival so the art is a bonus
I use my art to survive, but appreciate it as a gift


I was sparked into motion back when carson was hosting
I was inspired by art during a particular cultural moment


Everything is better when you dont know nothing
Ignorance is bliss


I'm grown so I'm always disgusted
I've become disillusioned with the world as I've gotten older


All these discussions online is mayonnaise versus mustard
The online debates are trivial and meaningless


Mayonnaise people think French can't be trusted
One side of the debate thinks a certain group cannot be trusted


Mustard people think eggs is all busted
The opposing side thinks something else is not trustworthy


But fuck it
But it doesn't really matter


We in it for the pattern interruptions
We care about changing the status quo


(This goes out to the)


Ghetto children, hacking networks
Kids in low-income situations mastering technology


Ghetto children, splicing cable
Using whatever resources they have to connect to the world


So don't be mad at me
Please don't be upset with me


I overthink things radically
I tend to over-analyze things


King tragedy
The epitome of tragedy


Prince everlong
A symbol of lasting legacy


Never shake up my eight-ball cause its never wrong
I trust my intuition


I sing whatever song I damn well please
I create art on my own terms


Vintage 5deez or tempted by squeeze
I appreciate all different kinds of music


My dispensary’s closed and I meant to buy weed
I missed my chance to buy marijuana


I'm salty at the airport in security
I'm angry about the airport security process


Tragic is the story of the cookie face king
There's a sad tale behind the person with the cookie face tattoo


Long black trench on the roof like Sting
I have a long black coat, similar to Sting's


Pointing bats at my enemies let it be known
I'm ready and willing to defend myself


Pull up at the show hitting every orange cone
I'm determined to succeed, even if it means breaking some rules


I park where I want but I cry if I'm towed
I take risks, but will still feel the consequences if they occur


I dont really know where it's right to buy clothes
I'm unsure about where to go shopping


Unregulated labor made all that I own
The products I own are a result of unethical labor practices


Can I make an impact if I strike the right tone
Can my voice make a difference if I say the right things


And keep saying words into microphones
And keep creating art and spreading my message


It goes


Ghetto children
Kids in underprivileged areas


Solving problems
Tackling difficult situations head-on


In the projects around the world
In areas with little resources globally




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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