Get Em Up
Paul Oakenfold & Ice Cube Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that
This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that
This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that
This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that

Recognize a real dime when you see one
And don't try and be one, ya fuckin' peon
I been like Dion for eons
You ain't nothin but a biatch

Messed around and let me re-up
I come back through and tear the street up
Ice Cube, nigga, you better D up
And when I come by bitch, you better be up

Ass up, face in the pillow
I don't give a fizzle
Got ta do my bizzle
The only nizzle that will never ever fizzle
Original, you niggas know

Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up

I got ta get wit cha
Hit you with these things that I'm holdin'
Who wanna squab with the frozen
Now who wanna battle with the chosen?
You niggas lotion
I'm no emotion
I'm shrapnel from the explosion
Hit you in the face while you posin'
High as Jimi Hendrix
I lined up ten dicks
And took out appendix
So go get forensics
Let em know I'm Geronimo
Till it's my time to go

You better find your ho
Get your babies and your mama
And move to Guantonimo

Doubt my skills
I'm payin' my bills
I'm up in the hills
You niggas are kills
Even though I'm on a fucked up label
You bitches know what I can bring to the table

Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up

This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that
This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that
This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that
This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that

I like bitches like you
Five Two, wearin' light blue
The freak get high too
With a fly do
Not a Erykah Badu
That's lookin' for an "I Do."
Now what can I buy you
Just to try you
Need another bitch to lie to
Need another bitch in my coupe
Oh please can I trouble you
For a double scoop

A nigga needs some T 'n A
Now you can dick but you can't get no DNA
I heard you was a big freak
(Can I hang?) Bitch look down I got some big feet
I like Mike and Ikes
I like watchin' dikes
I like goin' to fights
I like earnin' my stripes
In the book of life
There's only two women
Big ol' good ones and good ol big ones

Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)
Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up (come get some)




Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
You better get 'em up

Overall Meaning

The song "Get Em Up" by Paul Oakenfold and Ice Cube is a head-banging rap/techno fusion that is all about payback from way back. The repetitive chorus articulates this idea clearly, as Ice Cube emphasizes that he doesn't play that. The lyrics are aggressive and in-your-face, with a clear message that if you mess around with him, he won't hesitate to pay you back, emphasizing his uncompromising nature. The verses are no less intense, with Cube boasting about his longevity and calling out those who try to imitate him or disrespect him as a "fucking peon." He doesn't hold back, taking shots at his haters and reminding them of his skills, culminating in a challenge to anyone who wants some to "come get some."


The misogyny in the lyrics is undeniable, as Cube objectifies women and reduces them to mere sexual objects wanted just for their "T 'n A." He goes on and on about wanting a "bitch" who is "Five Two, wearin' light blue," unconcerned about the impact his words might have on his audiences, especially women. However, it's also important to note that the repeated usage of the word "bitch" in the song and its associations with women can be seen as an example of hostile sexism, typifying degrading attitudes towards women in hip-hop culture.


In conclusion, "Get Em Up" is an intense song that showcases Ice Cube's enduring attitude and defiance, promoting the message of retaliation and uncompromising vigor.


Interesting Facts:


Line by Line Meaning

This right here is payback from way back, I don't play that
I am seeking revenge for something that happened a long time ago and I am serious about it.


Recognize a real dime when you see one
Know the value of a truly great person when you come across one.


And don't try and be one, ya fuckin' peon
Don't attempt to be something you're not, you insignificant person.


I been like Dion for eons
I have been successful for a very long time like the famous performer Celine Dion.


You ain't nothin but a biatch
You are just a weak and powerless person.


Messed around and let me re-up
You made the mistake of not finishing me off, and now I am back stronger than before.


I come back through and tear the street up
I return with great force and cause chaos on the streets.


Ice Cube, nigga, you better D up
Prepare to defend yourself, Ice Cube.


And when I come by bitch, you better be up
You better be alert and ready when I come around.


Ass up, face in the pillow
Be submissive during sexual intercourse, with your rear end in the air and your face buried in a pillow.


I don't give a fizzle
I don't care at all.


Got ta do my bizzle
I have to get my work done.


The only nizzle that will never ever fizzle
I am the only one who will always succeed and never fail.


Original, you niggas know
I am unique and the others recognize it.


Gotta get 'em up (who wants some)
I need to get people up and ready for a fight.


You better get 'em up (come get some)
You need to be prepared for battle and get involved.


I got ta get wit cha
I need to connect with you.


Hit you with these things that I'm holdin'
I will attack you with the weapons I possess.


Who wanna squab with the frozen
Who is brave enough to fight against me when I am this fierce?


Now who wanna battle with the chosen?
Who is up for a challenge against the best?


You niggas lotion
You are very weak and soft.


I'm no emotion
I am not emotional.


I'm shrapnel from the explosion
I am the dangerous debris that comes after the explosion.


Hit you in the face while you posin'
I will strike you in the face while you are posing or being arrogant.


High as Jimi Hendrix
I am really high, like the famous musician Jimi Hendrix.


I lined up ten dicks
I have ten guns that I am holding at the same time.


And took out appendix
I shot and killed ten people.


So go get forensics
Go find someone to investigate the mess I made.


Let em know I'm Geronimo
Inform everyone that I am Geronimo, the Native American warrior known for his bravery in battle.


Till it's my time to go
Until I die, I will keep fighting and being courageous.


You better find your ho
You better go find your girlfriend or prostitute.


Get your babies and your mama
Get your children and your mother.


And move to Guantonimo
And move to the controversial military detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to protect yourself.


Doubt my skills
If you question my abilities or talent.


I'm payin' my bills
I am making enough money to support myself.


I'm up in the hills
I am living in a luxurious house in the mountains.


You niggas are kills
You are dead, I have defeated you.


Even though I'm on a fucked up label
Despite the fact that I am signed to a poor quality record label.


You bitches know what I can bring to the table
You women know what I am capable of doing and achieving.


I like bitches like you
I am attracted to women who are like you.


Five Two, wearin' light blue
You are five feet two inches and dressed in light blue.


The freak get high too
You like to get high and party just like me.


With a fly do
With a stylish hairdo.


Not a Erykah Badu
You are not an independent and unique woman like the famous singer Erykah Badu.


That's lookin' for an "I Do."
That is searching for a serious commitment and marriage.


Now what can I buy you
What can I purchase for you?


Just to try you
Just to impress you and see if I can win you over.


Need another bitch to lie to
I want another woman to lie to and deceive.


Need another bitch in my coupe
I want to have another woman in my car.


Oh please can I trouble you
May I have the privilege of asking you a favor?


For a double scoop
For two scoops of a sweet treat like ice cream.


A nigga needs some T 'n A
I really want to see some female breasts and buttocks.


Now you can dick but you can't get no DNA
You can have sex with me but you will not receive any of my DNA or have a child with me.


I heard you was a big freak
I heard that you are a very sexual person.


(Can I hang?) Bitch look down I got some big feet
Can I be around you? Look at my large feet.


I like Mike and Ikes
I like the candy Mike and Ike's.


I like watchin' dikes
I enjoy watching lesbians.


I like goin' to fights
I enjoy attending violent physical altercations.


I like earnin' my stripes
I gain pride and power from my accomplishments.


In the book of life
In the entirety of someone's existence.


There's only two women
There are only two types of women.


Big ol' good ones and good ol big ones
There are the big and attractive women, and there are the not-so-attractive big women.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIK DE KONING, ANDREW GRAY, O'SHEA JACKSON, PAUL MARK OAKENFOLD, STEVEN JOHN OSBORNE

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
Comments from YouTube:

@funkylover3392

Ice Cube is a genius, this song a masterpiece ! I do love it so much, lyrics are so strong and the rhythm insane!
God bless rap music 🙏🏻

@RyanKJohns1

This was the first Ice Cube music I ever listened to as a kid.

@niceair1132

When the soundtrack is better then the movie 👏🏼

@fergaoneill5323

Classic tune

@chemicalreaction1887

I remember buying a cd with BLADE II soundrack and this sh*t was there. It has blown me out eversince. Good ol times.

@stefberadze22

Golden ERA

@lincolnbeggs9276

best bass going around

@Cybervue

Ice Cube, more relevant now than ever!!!

@funkylover3392

Excellent... all my respect to Ice Cube 👍

@tcladyt584

Wow the uncensored version

More Comments