They Reminisce Over You
Pete Rock Lyrics

I reminisce, I reminisce, uh
The singer is reflecting on the past and remembering.

(I reminisce, I reminisce-nisce) yeah
The singer is reminiscing and expressing nostalgia.

(I reminisce)
The singer is repeating that they are reminiscing.

I reminisce for a spell, or shall I say think back (yeah)
The artist is reminiscing about the past.

Twenty-two years ago to keep it on track (uh-huh)
The artist is referring to a specific year, which is 22 years prior to the present.

The birth of a child on the eighth of October (it's like that)
The singer is talking about the birth of a child and the date is mentioned.

A toast but my granddaddy came sober (crazy facts)
The singer is raising a glass to the birth but notes that the granddaddy wasn't drinking, which is an unusual event.

Countin' all the fingers and the toes
The artist is mentioning the baby and counting all fingers and toes.

Now I suppose (uh), you hope the little black boy grows, huh (yeah)
The artist is wondering about the hopes for the baby's future.

Eighteen years younger than my mama (mama)
The artist is telling how much younger the mother is than the grandparent.

But I really got beatings 'cause the girl loved drama (yeah)
The singer is recounting that they themselves were subjected to abuse due to their sister's behavior.

In single parenthood there I stood (uh)
The artist is talking of their experience being raised by a single parent.

By the time she was twenty-one, had another one (yeah)
The singer's mother had another child when she was 21.

This one's a girl (what?), Let's name her Pam
The singer's mother had another girl named Pam.

Same father as the first but you don't give a damn (alright)
The father is the same for both children but the singer is noting that he wasn't involved with raising them.

Irresponsible, plain not thinking (yeah)
The father is being described as someone who acted without thought.

Papa said, "Chill" but the brother keep winking (uh-huh)
The father was told to calm down but continued his behavior.

Still he won't down you or tear out your hide (right)
The father did not physically abuse them but he did not help either.

On your side while the baby maker slide (slide)
The father did not take responsibility for the children but did participate in having them.

But mama got wise to the game (uh)
The mother figured out the situation with the father.

The youngest of five kids, hon' here it is (yeah)
The artist is the youngest of five children.

After ten years without no spouse (yeah)
The artist's mother had been without a partner for ten years.

Momma's gettin' married in the house (word?), Listen
The singer's mother is getting married at home.

Positive over negative for the women to master
The artist is voicing the importance of positive experiences for women.

Mother queen's risin' a chapter (yeah)
The singer is praising their mother for overcoming difficult situation and turning things around.

Déjà vu, tell you what I'm gonna do (do it)
The singer is thinking of what they will do to help the situation.

When they reminisce over you, my God
The singer is acknowledging how important their past experiences are.

It's so
The artist is emphasizing the power of nostalgia and memories.

Yeah, so lovely
The artist holds their memories in high regard.

That's how we like to do it in the 90s
Nostalgia from the 1990s.

Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth comin' atcha
The artists are introducing themselves.

When I date back I recall a man off the family tree
The artist is moving to another memory from the past about a man in their family.

My right hand Poppa doc I see (woo)
The artist is describing a close familial relationship.

Took me from a boy to a man so I always had a father
The artist is recounting how someone in his life filled the role of a father.

When my biological didn't bother (yeah)
When the singer's biological father didn't step up, someone else did.

Taking care of this, so who am I to bicker? (bicker)
The artist is grateful to the person who stepped up in place of his father.

Not a bad ticker but I'm clocking Pop's liver (yeah)
The singer is concerned about their father figure's liver health.

But you can never say that his life is through (uh-huh)
The singer is acknowledging that despite the concern, the father figure is still alive and well.

Five kids at twenty-one, believe he got a right to (that's right)
The father figure had five children by the age of 21 and the singer asserts that he has the right to live his life.

Here we go while I check the scene
The artist is shifting back to another memory.

With the Portuguese lover at the age of fourteen (tell 'em)
The artist is telling a story about a romantic encounter that occurred when they were fourteen.

The same age, front page, no fuss
The singer is saying that the pair being the same age and having a romantic relationship was not a big deal.

But I bet you all your dough, they live longer than us (that's right)
The singer is commenting on the longevity of those who lived in the past compared to the present day.

Never been senile, that's where you're wrong (uh-huh)
The artist is asserting their elder relatives are not senile.

But give the man a taste and he's gone
The artist jokes that their relative is only trouble if given alcohol.

Noddin' off, sleep to a jazz tune
The relative is likely falling asleep listening to jazz music.

I can hear his head banging on the wall in the next room
The relative's head banging in their sleep is loud enough to be heard through a wall.

I get the pillow and hope I don't wake him (yeah)
The artist is trying to help their relative sleep better.

For this man to cuss, hear it all in verbatim (uh-huh)
The singer has heard their elder relative curse in colorful language.

Telling me how to raise my boy unless he's taking over
The elder relative is offering advice on how to raise children but isn't taking over the responsibility of raising them.

I said, "Pop maybe when you're older" (older)
The singer is joking with their elder relative about possibly raising children themselves when they're older.

We laughed all night about the hookers at the party (ahh)
The artist and the elder relative laughed together about experiences they had with prostitutes.

My old man standing yelling, "Good God, Almighty" (uh-huh)
The artist's father is described as shouting 'Good God, Almighty!' in response to something.

Use your condom, take sips of the brew (that's right)
The singer's father is advocating for responsible decision making.

When they reminisce over you, for real
The singer is reinforcing the importance of preserving memories.

For real, baby
The artist is emphasizing the importance of their memories.

Like that
The artist asserts their story is finished.

We for real
The artist is reiterating that their recounting is true.

Comin' atcha
The artists are directly addressing their audience.

In '92
The artist is specifying a year, 1992.

Pete Rock and CL Smooth
The artists are identifying themselves.

Yeah, c'mon, hit me
The singer is asking the audience to pay attention.

I reminisce so you never forget this
The singer is saying that their memories are worth remembering.

The days of way-back, so many bear witness the fitness (yeah)
The artist is describing how many people were alive to witness important events in the past.

Take the first letter out of each word in this joint
The artist is describing a word game where the audience removes the first letter of each word in a specific string of words.

Listen close as I prove my point (my point)
The singer is urging the audience to pay attention as they make an argument.

T to the R the-O-Y, how did you and I meet?
The singer is recalling how they met someone whose name is phonetically spelled as TROY.

In front of Big Lou's, fighting in the street (street)
The artist is recounting that they met TROY while fighting in front of a specific location.

But only you saw what took many time to see
The artist is acknowledging TROY for seeing things that others did not.

I dedicate this to you for believing in me (uh)
The artist is thanking someone for believing in them.

Rain or shine, yes, in any weather (yeah)
The singer is saying that they will continue regardless of conditions.

My Grandma Pam holds the family together (uh-huh)
The artist is crediting their grandmother for keeping their family together.

My Uncle Doc's the greatest, better yet the latest
The singer then mentions another family member who is especially great.

If we're talking 'bout a car, Uncle Sterling got the latest (yeah)
The singer is bragging about something Uncle Sterling has.

I strive to be live 'cause I got no choice
The singer is saying that they have to do their best.

And run my own business like my Aunt Joyce (yeah)
The artist is saying they want to be independent and have a successful business like their Aunt.

So Pete Rock hit me, nuff respect due (uh-huh)
The artist is addressing Pete Rock directly and showing respect.

When they reminisce over you, listen
The singer is reiterating the importance of memories.

Listen, just listen
The singer is stressing the importance of listening to their story.

To the funky song as I rock on
The artist is inviting the audience to enjoy the music with them.

And that's word is bond
The artist is asserting the truth of their story.

I'm not playin'
The artist is asserting that their story is serious.

Everybody, just coolin'
The singer is urging everyone to relax.

This song we dedicate
The artists are dedicating this song.

To the one and only
The song is dedicated to one specific person.

Never be another
The person to whom the song is dedicated is unique.

He was my brother
The song's inspiration was someone who was like a brother.

Trouble T-Roy
The song's inspiration is named Trouble T-Roy.

It's like that y'all
The song and story are finished.

And you don't stop
The artist is announcing the song will not stop.

Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth for '92
The artist gives credit and specifies the year.

And we out, later
The artist concludes and uses a common farewell.