On and On
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth ft. Grap Luva Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[CL Smooth]
The nightcap was exiled, steadily profiled
as the underachievin non-believin can't stand to reason
Where's your daddy boy - to categorize the drinker
Misunderstood to make the ordeal linger
They label me a problem child who can't cope
Hangin by a thread, yes a very thin rope
Inevitably, can never be the man can I tell ya
Visualize and memorize him in a cellar
Well tally-ho, pip-pip, my fam's gonna catch a fit
My father lookin like he wanna bust my lip
But that was never good for my health
So I take the shovel out my pocket and dig myself
Now when I look at the man in the mirror
I see things much more clearer my Lord
I'm not that popular, less than a dollar
but the ? I pack can make you holla

* Pete Rock scratches various "on and on" samples *

[CL Smooth]
I said, what you don't know could make a whole new world
Man.. listen! I'm set to sabotage premonition
Your propaganda, crooked type of version
Some of the things I bring, you're babblin non-person
Imbedded in my character, rebel nostalgia
Uncommon valor who'd rather
have no man-made religion or sect
But try to believe what you conceive may be half correct
I shed light, to show the path in sight
Cause a man who can't treat you right can't teach you right
In front of your eyes, what a surprise, and let the nature
rise, just for the girls and the guys
A Phi-Slamma-Jamma when you wear a bandanna
Peace to Pop Dukes, and long live Nana
The formula's reality, Pete Rock's the storm
Together, forever, yes G we got it goin on

* Pete Rock scratches various "on and on" samples *

[CL Smooth]
Internal affairs, flippin Hollywood Squares
In search of the Mecca many travel in pairs
Walked the slave ship, ??the side of ningamora??
to support a short order when I freak it on a corner
Five-oh cruisin, decide to pull you over
Beefin, "Where's the Coke?" I said, "A six-pack of soda?"
The rookie's lookin thirsty, but everything's mental
A baseball bat, to smack Shirley in the Temple
Agreed to meet the maker so I yelled Hail Mary's
And flew that head, to hit The House on the Prairie
But the past can never choose my future correctly
I found a greater source directly
On and on, keep it on, you chant the
boppin simonized, pullin you clockwise jammie
To quickly skip the minimal tip, I dap for the wise I dip
Can anyone see, phenomenally, to the last degree?
I capitalize subliminally, wreck for positivity
Yes my little chickadee, ready to flow with me
Nevertheless I bless, follow me and see
Predominantly, CL'll be, All in the Family
God bless Marky Black, know we go way back
The lyrics I pack is like a needle in the haystack
CL and Pete Rock, Smooth like Dom Perignon
Never torn, word is bond, we got it goin on





* Pete Rock scratches various "on and on" samples to fade *

Overall Meaning

In the song "On and On", Pete Rock and CL Smooth discuss the struggles they have faced in life and how they have overcome them. CL Smooth talks about being labeled as a "problem child" who cannot cope and feeling misunderstood. He talks about his father being angry with him and how he had to dig himself out of trouble. Throughout the song, they both emphasize the importance of finding inner strength and relying on oneself to overcome adversity. They also discuss the importance of being true to oneself and rejecting societal norms and expectations. In the end, they declare that they have got it going on and can handle whatever life throws their way.


Line by Line Meaning

The nightcap was exiled, steadily profiled as the underachievin non-believin can't stand to reason
The drink was ignored and belittled, just like those who can't achieve or believe in themselves.


Where's your daddy boy - to categorize the drinker Misunderstood to make the ordeal linger
People judge and categorize drinkers unfairly without understanding them, which prolongs their problems.


They label me a problem child who can't cope Hangin by a thread, yes a very thin rope
Others see me as a troubled child who can't handle things on my own, and I feel like I'm barely holding on.


Inevitably, can never be the man can I tell ya Visualize and memorize him in a cellar
I feel like I can never live up to society's expectations of a successful man, and I can only imagine him trapped and hidden away.


Well tally-ho, pip-pip, my fam's gonna catch a fit My father lookin like he wanna bust my lip But that was never good for my health So I take the shovel out my pocket and dig myself
My family will be upset with me, and my father looks angry enough to hit me, but I know that's not good for me. So, I take control of the situation and work to solve my problems myself.


Now when I look at the man in the mirror I see things much more clearer my Lord I'm not that popular, less than a dollar but the ? I pack can make you holla
Now, I see myself more clearly, and I know that I'm not popular or wealthy. . But my skills and talents can still impress and excite others.


I said, what you don't know could make a whole new world Man.. listen! I'm set to sabotage premonition Your propaganda, crooked type of version Some of the things I bring, you're babblin non-person
There is so much unknown in the world that could change everything. I want to challenge and disrupt the narrow-minded ideas, deceptive stories, and dismissive attitudes you promote. Some of the things I bring are too complex for you to grasp or understand.


Imbedded in my character, rebel nostalgia Uncommon valor who'd rather have no man-made religion or sect But try to believe what you conceive may be half correct
I have a rebellious spirit, infused with memories of past struggles. My values include uncommon bravery, and I don't follow any organized religion or group. Instead, I believe you should trust your own ideas, even if they're only partially correct.


I shed light, to show the path in sight Cause a man who can't treat you right can't teach you right In front of your eyes, what a surprise, and let the nature rise, just for the girls and the guys
I share information to illuminate the right direction, because someone treating you poorly can't teach you well. Look around and be amazed by the world's wonders and let it excite and inspire everyone.


Internal affairs, flippin Hollywood Squares In search of the Mecca many travel in pairs Walked the slave ship, ??the side of ningamora?? to support a short order when I freak it on a corner
I'm involved in complex situations and conflicts, trying to find my way to something better. Many people seek the pinnacle of success together. I've endured difficult circumstances and experiences to become the person I am, and I share my perspective with others when given the chance.


Five-oh cruisin, decide to pull you over Beefin, "Where's the Coke?" I said, "A six-pack of soda?" The rookie's lookin thirsty, but everything's mental A baseball bat, to smack Shirley in the Temple
The police stop you and question you about drugs, but you're innocent and only have soda. The officer seems to want trouble, but it's just your state of mind. The thought of violence crosses your mind.


Agreed to meet the maker so I yelled Hail Mary's And flew that head, to hit The House on the Prairie But the past can never choose my future correctly I found a greater source directly
You accept that someday you'll die and shout prayers in the meantime. You throw a human head and hit a popular TV show house. But you realize you can't let your past determine your future, and you find a better way forward.


On and on, keep it on, you chant the boppin simonized, pullin you clockwise jammie To quickly skip the minimal tip, I dap for the wise I dip Can anyone see, phenomenally, to the last degree?
People chant and continue to party and dance. They move their hips and dance in a circular motion. I quickly communicate important information to the wise listeners, then leave. Can anyone appreciate the incredible things I bring thoroughly?


I capitalize subliminally, wreck for positivity Yes my little chickadee, ready to flow with me Nevertheless I bless, follow me and see Predominantly, CL'll be, All in the Family
I subtly use language to promote positive messages. I invite you to join me in a fun way, only good things will result if you do. Despite everything, I am fortunate, and if you come with me, you'll see it too. Mostly, I'll be in charge, so let's all work together.


God bless Marky Black, know we go way back The lyrics I pack is like a needle in the haystack CL and Pete Rock, Smooth like Dom Perignon Never torn, word is bond, we got it goin on
I remember Marky Black, we've been friends for a long time. My lyrics can be hard to find, but they stand out. Pete Rock and I form a perfect team, like a fine champagne. We're always loyal and never divided because our word is our bond. We're doing it right.




Contributed by Olivia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jeffreyhowerton1320

Masterpiece... Pete Rock also wasn't no slouch on the lyrical tip and CL needed no intro or definition cuz he was the real deal call him anything but wack and he wasn't ahead of his time he was right on time something different brothers were definitely conscious and they touched everything from politics to relationships brotherhood the streets family or just plain old fun this is where I'm from albums like this are rare when every trak is dope. Thank you fellas y'all are forever in the book of hip hop.

@project0077

Arguably, this is one the best hip-hop albums ever

@jamesdavid6895

AHHHH when rap was good enough to play it back NOT cause you cant understand what the hell they said but because what they said was so damn slick lol

@OMC720

CL criminally under rated

@christopherwilliams5800

This song is banging, wish it started with out having to sit through that freestyle.

@WillRobinsonDanger

Oh yes!!!!!! Da 90's, where it all makes sense. And yes, this gem relates to the events of today. We need the essence of this. We will do much better than we're heading, but it's not too late!!!!

@anusharma1631

💋ma words

@erwinrogers9470

Classic🔥

@kendalljones5211

HIP HOP at best 🎤🎤👑💯💯🎵🎹📀💪classic 💎 gem omg Pete Rock amazing n cl smooth to

@TheSamuraistyle

Real hip hop with a good feel vibe which you just don’t get nowadays

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