Orelia
Orelia Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Verse 1: Marcus Orelias)

Marcus, show no mercy
Save that for your brainwash
My daddy was a thug; momma was a hippie
Now you got me, product of Bayview-HP
Where vampires ride when it’s dark
Toss detergent like it’s time to wash
Turn your TV’s off; curtains down (gunshots)
It’s never safe to watch
3 deep in a hoopty-peel off; tire marks skid off
What goes around, comes around
Remember that bending blocks
Before bike lanes and street chalk
Dim streetlights, police hawk; concrete lines
Stereotypes of street crime, got us strapped with four nine’s
We work hard; fight harder so they gentrify
I was once scared to define, cross streets
In fear that they’d judge me or jump me
So trust me, I left the house
Late to school, skipping school, after school
Down watching street fights then mob back to the T line
Loud music from metros, we K-9’s on felines
Being on time, be the last thing on our minds
Adults keep telling me, diploma is what I need
To function in society, I just want to see
Different seas, in my head it plays out, assed out
I’m just tryna get my ass out, first class
Before I blast out or pass out
Writing rhymes all night, late nights getting no sleep
My producer grinding, making beats
Oh you counting bread? They counting sheep
You might be rich but you still weak
Get to know me; I’m getting started like Monday
First day of the week, I want you, 365 and a leap
Feel free to jump, you already know. It’s mighty steep
Some people stay in the shallow end, so I think deep
Six feet, with all these odds against me




No handouts, made my own way
So turn it up I got something to say…

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Orelia's song "Orelia" give us a glimpse into the upbringing and experiences of the artist, Marcus Orelias. The verse begins by addressing Marcus himself, urging him to show no mercy but to save that for the brainwashing that he has likely encountered. Marcus reflects on his background, with his father being a thug and his mother a hippie, highlighting the contrasting influences in his life.


The next lines reference Bayview-HP, which stands for Bayview-Hunters Point, a neighborhood in San Francisco known for its struggles with crime. Marcus describes the darkness and danger that he has witnessed there, from vampires riding in the dark to the need to turn off the TV and close the curtains for safety. He mentions the prevalence of street crime and the stereotypes attached to it, causing residents to arm themselves. Despite this, Marcus and his community work hard and fight harder, only to face the threat of gentrification as outsiders try to change their neighborhood.


Marcus shares the fear and judgment he experienced growing up, afraid to cross certain streets in case he would be judged or attacked. However, he eventually finds the courage to venture out, skipping school and watching street fights with his friends. They navigate the city on public transportation, listening to loud music and feeling like wild dogs. The lyrics reflect a rebellion against societal expectations, with Marcus choosing to prioritize his passion for music and creative expression over a traditional education.


These lyrics convey a sense of resilience and determination, as Marcus speaks about his drive to succeed in the music industry. He mentions writing rhymes all night, his producer grinding to make beats, and the contrast between those who focus on material wealth ("counting bread") and those who are internally strong ("counting sheep"). Marcus asserts that he wants to be known and be successful, willing to put in the hard work and take risks. The mention of "Monday, first day of the week" adds a symbolic note, emphasizing the beginning of a new phase in his life.


Overall, these lyrics paint a picture of an artist who has overcome adversity and continues to push forward in pursuit of his dreams. Marcus' experiences growing up in a challenging neighborhood have shaped his perspective and drive, and he is determined to make his voice heard.


Line by Line Meaning

Marcus, show no mercy
Marcus, don't show any mercy


Save that for your brainwash
Keep that for brainwashing


My daddy was a thug; momma was a hippie
My father was a criminal; my mother was a free spirit


Now you got me, product of Bayview-HP
Now you have me, a result of growing up in Bayview-HP


Where vampires ride when it’s dark
Where dangerous individuals roam during the night


Toss detergent like it’s time to wash
Throwing around drugs like it's a casual activity


Turn your TV’s off; curtains down (gunshots)
Switch off your televisions; close the curtains to avoid violence


It’s never safe to watch
Watching can be dangerous


3 deep in a hoopty-peel off; tire marks skid off
Three people in a rundown car speeding away; leaving marks behind


What goes around, comes around
The consequences of your actions will catch up to you


Remember that bending blocks
Always be aware of your surroundings


Before bike lanes and street chalk
Before the designated lanes for bicycles and children's chalk drawings


Dim streetlights, police hawk; concrete lines
Dim streetlights, constant police surveillance; marks on the concrete


Stereotypes of street crime, got us strapped with four nine’s
Prejudiced beliefs about crime led us to carry guns


We work hard; fight harder so they gentrify
We put in a lot of effort and fight back fiercely to prevent gentrification


I was once scared to define, cross streets
I used to be afraid to express myself and navigate through dangerous areas


In fear that they’d judge me or jump me
Worried that they would criticize me or attack me


So trust me, I left the house
So believe me, I ventured outside


Late to school, skipping school, after school
Being tardy to school, skipping classes, spending time after school


Down watching street fights then mob back to the T line
Observing street fights and then rapidly returning to the T line


Loud music from metros, we K-9’s on felines
Loud music playing from the subway, we, like fierce dogs, chase after opportunities


Being on time, be the last thing on our minds
Being punctual is not a priority for us


Adults keep telling me, diploma is what I need
Adults constantly advise me that a diploma is essential


To function in society, I just want to see
To be successful in society, but I have different aspirations


Different seas, in my head it plays out, assed out
Different opportunities, imagining various scenarios in my mind


I’m just tryna get my ass out, first class
I'm just trying to escape my current situation and achieve success


Before I blast out or pass out
Before I explode in anger or become unconscious from exhaustion


Writing rhymes all night, late nights getting no sleep
Staying up all night writing lyrics, sleepless nights


My producer grinding, making beats
My music producer working tirelessly to create beats


Oh you counting bread? They counting sheep
While you're focused on money, they're casually sleeping


You might be rich but you still weak
You may be wealthy, but you're still vulnerable


Get to know me; I’m getting started like Monday
Take the time to understand who I am; I'm just getting started like the beginning of the week


First day of the week, I want you, 365 and a leap
From the first day of the week, I desire you throughout the entire year, including the extra day


Feel free to jump, you already know. It’s mighty steep
Feel free to take a risk, you're aware it's a significant challenge


Some people stay in the shallow end, so I think deep
Many people settle for shallow thinking, but I prefer to dive into deeper thoughts


Six feet, with all these odds against me
Facing numerous obstacles, with success seeming distant


No handouts, made my own way
I didn't receive any favors or assistance, I created my own path


So turn it up I got something to say…
So increase the volume, I have something important to express




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@apexyl5135

I’m constantly accused of being dead inside.
I naturally hide any emotion during school, just because I don’t want my classmates knowing that I’ve got a sensitive side.
What I show is really the part of me that I wish wasn’t there.
This scene made me cry...
I always had a soft spot for troubled characters, and ones that are in hardship. That’s why Emily, Maya, and all the other characters going through shit were the main characters in scenes I can quote after one watch.
That’s why when Emily came out, it was one of my favorite scenes.
I think something’s wrong with me because I enjoy the scenes with the most pain.
Let me know
My sister always read messed up books about cutting and rape, but she wants to be a therapist, so she’s wanted to understand more about what triggers certain thoughts and emotions and reactions.



All comments from YouTube:

@mayarmiru9312

Anyone here from PLL but Got this song stuck in ur head??? 🙋🏻🙋🏻

@jianarivera8511

mayar miru me too

@meahiman4608

mayar miru yeah one day I was just singing the crumbling part and I'm like I don't know the name of the song so but then I just looked up the part I knew and yeah idk I love this song

@prettylittleliars2616

mayar miru so basically I’ve been obssesed with this song ever since I started watching pll and like it my Mot fave song ever plus I am actually a friend of Ashley benson I met her when I was four and we have been besties since

@lizzettefuentes8946

mayar miru Yup and Everything's Lost😂😂😭😪

@lizzettefuentes8946

Pretty Little liars Omg for real??!

32 More Replies...

@kitkatej123

can't get over how amazing shay mitchell's acting was at the scene where emily finds out about maya.. <3

@phenoniix6598

I was heartbroken when Emily found out about maya

@everbloom5888

Lol this song wasn't on when they found Maya's body it was on when they found alisons

@beatrizibarra7857

ever bloom it was in both

More Comments

More Versions