The Days Of Old
Paris Lyrics
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Reminiscin' back when I was only a child
Back in the days of livin' carefree lifestyles
As long as we wasn't caught, bein' bad was cool
and we were never at a loss for something to get into
Children in the neighbourhood, down at the park
Sunny days when we played at the old schoolyard
where kickin' it live was a familiar scene
But nowadays it seems life just ain't the same
Everybody's involved in the game or a gang
and when we die, it seem like nobody cares
It ain't no love in they cold-hearted stares
Thinkin' of payback, of makin' a hit
Now Cowboys and Indians become real-life shit
and life means nothin' when the heart is cold
It ain't the same as the days of old.
Yeah...it ain't the same as the days of old.
[Verse 2]
It's a unity thing, much love for my people here
But what good is love if the people don't really care?
The triggers are cold at the O.K. Corral
but it ain't O.K. when my people live foul
Another sad case of the black-on-black
It's a fact, some of our people don't know how to act
Can't go to the club, can't to the store
Can't chill with your girl, can't go to the show
Can't do anything without some fool actin' up
You start to believe that black folk are savage but
before you do, allow me to say
that in the old days we didn't act that way, see
Kings and Queens were the names of the righteous
but the sons of slaves are insane and we might just
self-destruct and erupt without a chance to grow
This ain't the days of old.
Damn...this ain't the days of old.
I don't know...c'mon.
[Sound bite of George Bush]
There is no match for a united America...a determined America...an
angry America...our outrage against the ploy unites us, brings us
together behind this one plan of action - an assault on every front.
Better wake up...
[Verse 3]
So I say, what will it take before we change up?
Some more of us dead, or more of us locked up?
Or maybe even more of us will blame the white man
before we understand now the problem's not him
What I'm tellin' ya is actual fact
I'm ain't pro-human 'cause all humans ain't pro-black
Remember in your mind that there still exists
a plan to bring down a black fist
See the struggle is uphill, life's at a standstill
Jack popped Jill now he don't act real
And every livin' moment got her singin' the blues
Her sole provider can't afford the baby's shoes
That's the cycle so many of us go through
America's black holocaust continues
and I just hope we wake up soon before we fold
I miss the days of old.
Damn...I miss the days of old.
Listen...it ain't the same as the days of old.
The Days of Old by Paris is a reflective and insightful song in which the rapper reminisces about the carefree and innocent days of his childhood juxtaposed with the darker and more violent reality of his present. Paris recalls the days spent playing at the schoolyard with friends and getting into mischief, all while being caught up in the nostalgia of a time that no longer exists. He notices how society has changed since his youth, with people now more involved in gangs and the ‘game’, leading to a lack of empathy and a cold-hearted stare in the eyes of many. The lyrics further delve into the idea of unity and love, both of which seem futile in the wake of black-on-black violence and a lack of self-control, manifesting in a self-destructive and savage tendency. Paris hopes for change but realizes that it may take a significant event to motivate people to action. The song, thus, is a reflection on the past, present, and future of the black community and society as a whole.
One of the most interesting things about the song is that it uses the backing track of Bob James’ Nautilus, a popular sample source in hip-hop. Paris also interpolates lyrics from another classic song by Diana Ross, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, to deliver his powerful message. Moreover, the lyrics of the song were written in response to the Rodney King verdict and subsequent Los Angeles riots, where Paris saw how violence could tear apart communities. The Days of Old was also seen as controversial, leading to the album Guerilla Funk being banned from many retail stores. Another interesting aspect of the song is the voice sample of former President George W. Bush in the outro, a clear nod to the political commentary present throughout the album.
Chords (if known): Unfortunately, we could not find the chords to this song.
Line by Line Meaning
Reminiscin' back when I was only a child
Remembering my childhood
Back in the days of livin' carefree lifestyles
Remembering when life was simpler
As long as we wasn't caught, bein' bad was cool
Getting away with mischief was seen as cool
and we were never at a loss for something to get into
Always finding something interesting to do
Children in the neighbourhood, down at the park
Playing with other kids in the park
Sunny days when we played at the old schoolyard
Playing in the sun at the schoolyard
where kickin' it live was a familiar scene
Where socializing was common
Kenny M. and Big Gene know what I mean
Referring to friends from the past who share the same memories
But nowadays it seems life just ain't the same
Life has changed and is not as enjoyable
Everybody's involved in the game or a gang
Many people are involved in dangerous activities
and when we die, it seem like nobody cares
Death doesn't seem to evoke sympathy or compassion
It ain't no love in they cold-hearted stares
People have become unfeeling and indifferent
Thinkin' of payback, of makin' a hit
Thinking of revenge and violence
Now Cowboys and Indians become real-life shit
The imaginary games from the past have become a reality
and life means nothin' when the heart is cold
Life loses its meaning when people have lost their compassion
It ain't the same as the days of old.
Life now is not as enjoyable as the past
It's a unity thing, much love for my people here
Advocating for unity and love within the community
But what good is love if the people don't really care?
Questioning the value of love if it is not reciprocated
The triggers are cold at the O.K. Corral
Reference to the famous gunfight in the past, now relating to modern-day violence
but it ain't O.K. when my people live foul
Violent and criminal behavior among one's own community is not acceptable
It's a fact, some of our people don't know how to act
Acknowledging that some members of the community engage in unacceptable behavior
Can't do anything without some fool actin' up
Troublemakers make it difficult to do anything without incident
You start to believe that black folk are savage but
Negative stereotypes about the community start to take hold
before you do, allow me to say
Asking the listener to withhold judgment before hearing the full story
that in the old days we didn't act that way, see
Reiterating that violent and criminal behavior is a recent phenomenon
Kings and Queens were the names of the righteous
Referencing the historical figures who were seen as good leaders
but the sons of slaves are insane and we might just
Commenting on how the descendants of former slaves are now exhibiting negative behaviors
self-destruct and erupt without a chance to grow
The community is at risk of destroying itself and development is hindered
This ain't the days of old.
Life now is very different from the past
I say, what will it take before we change up?
Asking what needs to happen for the community to change for the better
Some more of us dead, or more of us locked up?
Asking if more deaths or incarcerations are necessary before change happens
Or maybe even more of us will blame the white man
Commenting on how some members of the community blame white people for their problems
before we understand now the problem's not him
Stating that the problems faced by the community are not solely caused by white people
What I'm tellin' ya is actual fact
Asserting the truthfulness of what is being said
I'm ain't pro-human 'cause all humans ain't pro-black
Acknowledging that not all humans have the same interests or priorities
Remember in your mind that there still exists
Asking the listener to remember that the fight for justice is still ongoing
a plan to bring down a black fist
A reference to the attempts to suppress and undermine the power of the black community
See the struggle is uphill, life's at a standstill
The community is facing an uphill battle, and there has been little progress
Jack popped Jill now he don't act real
Reference to the nursery rhyme 'Jack and Jill', now related to domestic violence
And every livin' moment got her singin' the blues
Referring to the emotional strain of living in difficult circumstances
Her sole provider can't afford the baby's shoes
Pointing out how poverty affects the ability to provide basic needs for children
That's the cycle so many of us go through
Describing how such situations are common in the community
America's black holocaust continues
Comparing the systemic oppression faced by the community to a holocaust-like situation
and I just hope we wake up soon before we fold
Expressing the urgency to change before it's too late
I miss the days of old.
Expressing nostalgia for the simpler, more enjoyable past
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: OSCAR PKA PARIS JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Wischhof
COLINNNNNN!!!
You're speaking to my soul💯💯💯
I'm 46, and although I'm sure most ppl probably feel that their childhood was the best, you and I truly DID come up during one of the greatest times...
It's a little sad to me, that if I even attempted to try and explain all the things that MADE it so special to a kid growing up today, they literally wouldn't just not be ABLE to be able to process the issues and subjects I'd speak about--they wouldn't CARE.
I hope one day, the circular nature of life, brings hip hop back to where it was in the 90s...
It might not have been perfect, but at least it felt like we were TRYING to figure it all out, as we went!
(You and I are now "old heads" it seems)
Had to take a second to say #SALUTE to your comment...
Made my entire day💯👊💯
Stay blessed bro
Love & light
🙏❤🙏
Daniel Gonzales
Verse 1]
Reminiscin' back when I was only a child
Back in the days of livin' carefree lifestyles
As long as we wasn't caught, bein' bad was cool
And we were never at a loss for something to get into
Children in the neighbourhood, down at the park
Sunny days when we played at the old schoolyard
Where kickin' it live was a familiar scene
Kenny M. and Big Gene know what I mean
But nowadays, it seems life just ain't the same
Everybody's involved in the game or a gang
And when we die, it seem like nobody cares
It ain't no love in they cold-hearted stares
Thinkin' of payback or makin' a hit
Now Cowboys and Indians become real-life shit
And life means nothin' when the heart is cold
It ain't the same as the days of old
[Interlude]
Yeah
It ain't the same as the days of old
[Verse 2]
It's a unity thing, much love for my people here
But what good is love if the people don't really care?
The triggers are cold at the O.K. Corral
But it ain't okay when my people live foul
Another sad case of the black-on-black
It's a fact, some of our people don't know how to act
Can't go to the club, can't to the store
Can't chill with your girl, can't go to the show
Can't do anything without some fool actin' up
You start to believe that black folk are savage but
Before you do, allow me to say
That in the old days we didn't act that way, see
Kings and Queens were the names of the righteous
But the sons of slaves are insane and we might just
Self-destruct and erupt without a chance to grow
This ain't the days of old
Interlude]
Damn
This ain't the days of old
I don't know
C'mon
[Sound bite of George H.W. Bush]
There is no match for a united America, a determined America, an angry America...
Our outrage against the ploy unites us, brings us together behind this one plan of action, an assault on every front
(Better wake up)
[Verse 3]
So I say, what will it take before we change up?
Some more of us dead, or more of us locked up?
Or maybe even more of us will blame the white man
Before we understand now the problem's not him
What I'm tellin' ya is actual fact
I'm ain't pro-human 'cause all humans ain't pro-Black
Remember in your mind that there still exists
A plan to bring down a black fist
See the struggle is uphill, life's at a standstill
Jack popped Jill, now he don't act real
And every livin' moment got her singin' the blues
Her sole provider can't afford the baby's shoes
That's the cycle so many of us go through
America's black holocaust continues
And I just hope we wake up soon before we fold
I miss the days of old
Interlude]
Damn
I miss the days of old
Listen
It ain't the same as the days of old
GuerrillaFunkRec
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Who is able to make war with the Beast?
D & D Windows UK
P dog !!!
STR8Fightah
Legendary lyrics. Needs to be heard.
Edwin Otieno
the message still resonates 30 years later
Worn out Testicles
Of the tens of thousands of Hip Hop joints I've heard over the decades, this is still a very special classic to me.
STR8Fightah
Listen to the ‘pac mix I made!
Will McLean
One of my favorite records! The 1st time I heard it was on a movies called strapped that dropped in 1993.. dope movie btw
EazyRedz
If it wasn't for Ice Cube..Paris would of been a bigger artist imo
The Lefthod Man
@EazyRedz Hmmm...how so ???
Marwin Green
On the REAL!!!!!!!