Desire
Pharoahe Monch Feat. Showtyme Lyrics
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Said it's my desire, yes it, yeah
Yes it, yes it is, oh yeah, yeah
Comprehend the guidelines
My chest out chinchilla
All relaxed on the sidelines
I'm so famous, understand
New York City respects my game like Joe Namath
And I protect my name like your anus
In prison y'all don't hear me, y'all don't listen
Y'all just wanna shine, y'all just wanna glisten
Floss, knowing that the soul is still missing
(Who am I?)
I am the poetical pastor
Slave to a label but I own my masters
Still get it popping without Artist And Repertoire
'Cause march is a monarch only minus the A&R
When my brain excels, your train derails
Pop shit, make you feel 'The Clipse' like Pharell
You will feel me
You will admire
(My) Struggle (My) Hustle (My)
Soul, desire
Ooh, said it's my desire, yes it, yeah
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Said it's my desire, yeah
My book is a ovary, the pages I lust to turn
My pen's the penis, when I write the ink's the sperm
Desire, the fire that ignites, the torch to burn
This is not rocket science, this easy to learn
My mic's the gavel when I talk courts adjourned
Respect, even if you were ashes you couldn't earn
I embody antibiotics, you are infected with germs
Rap's fatally ill, please stick to the serum
Players, pick turns to play, get burned
I color commentate the game like chick perms
This is the moment of truth for my opponents and liars
Talk is alone invoke the emotion of black choirs
Fire, you don't wanna get burned like Rich Pryor
Move back, who's that, there, the live wire
You will feel me
You will admire
(My) Struggle (My) Hustle (My)
Soul, desire
Ooh, said it's my desire, yes it, yeah
Yes, my desire, keep pushing, keep striving
My passion, my fire
Yes, my desire, people should keep fighting
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Yes, my desire, keep pushing, keep striving
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Yes, my desire, keep pushing, keep striving
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
The song "Desire" by Pharoahe Monch is a commentary on his own journey as a rapper and the passion that drives him to succeed in the industry. The first verse talks about the guidelines and expectations that come with fame, how he protects his own name, and how there are many who are only interested in the surface-level success of being famous. He compares his own status in New York's rap scene to that of Joe Namath, a legendary quarterback who won a championship for the city. Pharoahe highlights the struggle of staying true to his art while being signed to a label and having to deal with industry politics, but at the same time, emphasizes that he is still in control of his own career.
The second verse focuses on the power that Pharoahe Monch feels he wields as a rapper. He describes his book as an ovary, with the pages being what he desires to create. He compares his pen to a penis, and describes his writing as the sperm that brings his ideas to life. Pharoahe asserts that he is like an antibiotic, curing the industry of the infection that is poor quality music. He encourages other rappers to step up their game and take their craft seriously, warning them that they will get burned if they don't. He ends the song on a note of confidence, stating that he will be admired for his struggles and hustle, and that his desire to succeed will never fade.
Line by Line Meaning
Comprehend the guidelines
Understand the rules
My chest out chinchilla
I'm confident and stylish
All relaxed on the sidelines
I'm comfortable with my success
I'm so famous, understand
I'm a celebrity, realize this
New York City respects my game like Joe Namath
I have respect in New York City like the famous football player
And I protect my name like your anus
I protect my reputation intensely
In prison y'all don't hear me, y'all don't listen
Even in confinement, people don't pay attention to me
Y'all just wanna shine, y'all just wanna glisten
People seek superficial success without depth
Floss, knowing that the soul is still missing
Excessive showiness doesn't fill an emotional void
(Who am I?)
Asking the listener to guess their identity
I am the poetical pastor
I'm like a spiritual leader through my artistic expression
Slave to a label but I own my masters
While a record label controls my career, I own my music
Still get it popping without Artist And Repertoire
I don't rely on the traditional music industry bureaucracy to succeed
'Cause march is a monarch only minus the A&R
Marching forward like a king, without the artist and repertoire system
When my brain excels, your train derails
My talent surpasses yours and throws you off track
Pop shit, make you feel 'The Clipse' like Pharell
I'll create a vibe that's similar to the music produced by The Clipse and Pharell
You will feel me
My presence will be known
You will admire
Others will appreciate me
(My) Struggle (My) Hustle (My)
My efforts towards success
Soul, desire
My passion and motivation
My book is a ovary, the pages I lust to turn
My written work is a source of inspiration, that I 'lust' to read
My pen's the penis, when I write the ink's the sperm
My creativity is like reproduction (pen/penis, ink/sperm)
Desire, the fire that ignites, the torch to burn
My passion is the fuel that ignites and motivates me
This is not rocket science, this easy to learn
My success isn't complex, others can learn from it
My mic's the gavel when I talk courts adjourned
My words are powerful and final, ending any controversy
Respect, even if you were ashes you couldn't earn
I demand respect and it can't be easily earned
I embody antibiotics, you are infected with germs
My lyrics are the cure to your toxic music
Rap's fatally ill, please stick to the serum
Rap is in poor health, and you should listen to my music as treatment
Players, pick turns to play, get burned
Aspiring artists will learn their place and face failure
I color commentate the game like chick perms
I observe and describe the industry like a sports commentator
This is the moment of truth for my opponents and liars
Those who oppose or lie about me will be exposed by my truth
Talk is alone invoke the emotion of black choirs
My words inspire powerful emotions like those often heard in gospel choirs
Fire, you don't wanna get burned like Rich Pryor
My music can be intense, like the late comedian's stand up
Move back, who's that, there, the live wire
As an energetic artist, I demand attention and respect
Yes, my desire, keep pushing, keep striving
Encouraging listeners to stay motivated and passionate
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Repeating a vocalisation used throughout the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LURONER BROOKSME, LAMONT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, TROY DONALD JAMERSON, ALAN MAMAN, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, EDDIE HOLLAND, LURONER LETHEL BROOKS
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