One For The...
Pigeon John Lyrics


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(feat. Brother Ali)

Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls
This is the way that you rock the world (2x)

Let me tell you 'bout my gangster wit I dont follow no clique
I'm quick to flip a dollar out of 15 cents for rent
I'm a scholar in a blue Impala with dents
Such is life a stand up man that bent
I use this mic and MPC to vent
2000 ways to slay a beat and hint
At what it all means brothers gonna call me dense
When I take my brain and let it touch the rain
And since then I'm a young king in training
And listening to the wind to see what its saying
In glimpses sometimes it all seems senseless
You trapped outside of white picket fences
Still gotta figure out a way how to make it real
In 3 ways sports crack or a record deal
And the homies know how I feel
Till I'm on the next level I'm a grind at will

Chorus:

One for the money two for the show
Three for the homies who got in the back door
One for the money two for the show
Three for the honies who got in the back door (2x)

2nd Verse:

Us rappers we love to tell the stories again and again
About the burning fire that rages within
But all you ever hearing everyday from your friends
Is that if you leave the herd there's no way you can win
So what you gonna think about?
When everything around you is negative including your bank account
Scrapping out a living in a major draught
With no avenue to let your angry out
You rattle your cage and shout you pray they
Break you out you stay truly devout
Cause you wade through doubt so deep
that you can't tune it out
Blood boiling and you ain't cooling out
And that's why I stand on every stage and kick that verse
Like it the first and last time I'll ever say it
I'm nothing if I'm not dedicated
Every win is celebrated for the soldiers that never made it
Trying to figure out where Awesome Dre went
And why Grand Master Caze still ain't been paid yet
So since I'm blessed to run around the nation
I'm obligated to find a new lane and pave it
So if the little homies ever want to disconnect
From the matrix and jump off the slave ships
And when they swim they'll have a destination
And they come right on along and hit the same lid
Its entertainment but its more than that
Why you think Slug took me on the tour in fact?
Why you think El-P put his boys on wax?
And why you think Little Brother's in the door like that?
Its because God gave us something that makes us
More than record breaker we're our own saviors
Ask the average man about taking his life
In his own hands and he won't understand
That idea was stolen with the land
And we scrape for the few crumbs that fall from the hand
Live life hungry work to get bummy
Or run we they 3 2 1 for the money

Chorus:

One for the money two for the show
Three for the homies who got in the back door




One for the money two for the show
Three for the honies who got in the back door (2x)

Overall Meaning

The song "One For The..." by Pigeon John featuring Brother Ali focuses on the struggles of making it as an artist in the music industry. Pigeon John speaks about his personal experiences of trying to make ends meet as an artist and emerging from difficult circumstances. His lyrics reflect the themes of perseverance, determination, and the need to create your own destiny.


The song's chorus, "One for the money, two for the show, three for the homies who got in the back door," emphasizes the importance of loyalty to one's friends and community, particularly for artists who often face an uphill battle in the industry. The lyrics also contain references to other influential hip hop artists, including Awesome Dre, Grand Master Caze, and Little Brother, highlighting Pigeon John's respect for their contributions to the genre.


Overall, "One For The..." serves as a powerful anthem for artists who are struggling to make it in the industry while staying true to their roots.


Line by Line Meaning

Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls
Greetings to all, regardless of age or gender


This is the way that you rock the world (2x)
It's time to show the world what we're made of and make our impact


Let me tell you 'bout my gangster wit I dont follow no clique
I am a unique individual with my own style and perspective, I don't need to conform to any group or clique


I'm quick to flip a dollar out of 15 cents for rent
I am resourceful and can make the most out of very little, even if it means flipping a dollar to pay my rent


I'm a scholar in a blue Impala with dents
I am educated and knowledgeable, even if I don't have a flashy car


Such is life a stand up man that bent
Life can be tough, but I am a strong and resilient person who can adapt to the challenges


I use this mic and MPC to vent
I use my music as a way to express my thoughts and emotions


2000 ways to slay a beat and hint
I am creative and versatile in my music-making, using various methods to create a unique sound


At what it all means brothers gonna call me dense
Some people may not understand my music or my message, and may even criticize me for it


When I take my brain and let it touch the rain
When I open myself up to new experiences and ideas, and let my thoughts flow freely


And since then I'm a young king in training
Ever since I opened up my mind, I have been growing and learning as both an artist and a person


And listening to the wind to see what its saying
I am attuned to the world around me and try to understand the signs and messages it presents


In glimpses sometimes it all seems senseless
Despite my efforts, sometimes life can still seem chaotic and meaningless


You trapped outside of white picket fences
I am not bound by societal expectations and norms, and may not fit in with the mainstream


Still gotta figure out a way how to make it real
Despite the challenges, I am determined to find a way to make my dreams a reality


In 3 ways sports crack or a record deal
There are limited options for success, and I must choose between sports, illegal activities, or a record deal as my path


And the homies know how I feel
My friends understand the struggles I face and support me


Till I'm on the next level I'm a grind at will
Until I achieve my goals and reach the next level, I will continue to work hard and persevere


One for the money two for the show
One for the beginning, two for the performance that follows


Three for the homies who got in the back door
Three cheers for the friends who came along for the ride, even if through the back door


Us rappers we love to tell the stories again and again
As rappers, we enjoy sharing our experiences and stories through our music repeatedly


About the burning fire that rages within
Our music often showcases the passion and intensity we feel inside


But all you ever hearing everyday from your friends
Despite our message, our friends and peers may not always understand or support our path


Is that if you leave the herd there's no way you can win
Many believe that success can only come from following the crowd, and that individuality leads to failure


So what you gonna think about?
Despite the negative attitudes around me, I must remain positive and focused on my goals


When everything around you is negative including your bank account
With a negative environment around me and personal financial struggles, it can be difficult to stay motivated


Scrapping out a living in a major draught
I am working hard to survive, even in a difficult economic climate


With no avenue to let your angry out
With limited options to vent my frustrations, I must find other ways to cope


You rattle your cage and shout you pray they
I feel trapped and frustrated, and hope that my situation will change


Break you out you stay truly devout
I remain hopeful and faithful, even in the midst of struggles


Cause you wade through doubt so deep that you can't tune it out
I am plagued by doubt and uncertainty, making it difficult to stay focused and motivated


Blood boiling and you ain't cooling out
Despite my efforts to remain calm, my emotions can get the best of me and leave me feeling frustrated and angry


And that's why I stand on every stage and kick that verse
Despite my struggles, I continue to pour my heart and soul into my music and performances


Like it the first and last time I'll ever say it
I am passionate about my message and share it with the same enthusiasm every time


I'm nothing if I'm not dedicated
My drive and dedication to my music and message are what define me


Every win is celebrated for the soldiers that never made it
I appreciate every success and milestone, honoring those who didn't make it to see their own dreams realized


Trying to figure out where Awesome Dre went
I am curious and reflective about the pioneers and legends who have come before me and paved the way for my success


And why Grand Master Caze still ain't been paid yet
I am aware of the injustices and challenges faced by those before me, and strive to make things better for future generations


So since I'm blessed to run around the nation
I am grateful for the opportunities I have to travel and perform around the country


I'm obligated to find a new lane and pave it
With my success comes a responsibility to push the boundaries and create new opportunities for others


So if the little homies ever want to disconnect
I want to inspire and empower younger generations to find their own path and not be limited by societal expectations


From the matrix and jump off the slave ships
To break free from the constraints and expectations placed on them by society


And when they swim they'll have a destination
With a clear goal in mind, they will be able to navigate their way to success and fulfillment


And they come right on along and hit the same lid
They will face the same challenges and obstacles that I have, but I hope to have inspired them to persevere


Its entertainment but its more than that
My music and performances are not just for entertainment, but also have a deeper meaning and message


Why you think Slug took me on the tour in fact?
Other successful artists recognize the value and meaning in my music and message, and support my career


Why you think El-P put his boys on wax?
El-P, another successful artist, recognizes the talent and value in supporting up-and-coming musicians


And why you think Little Brother's in the door like that?
Other artists in the industry recognize the value and talent of Little Brother, another up-and-coming group


Its because God gave us something that makes us
Our talent and passion for music is a gift from a higher power


More than record breaker we're our own saviors
Our music has the power to inspire and uplift ourselves and others, and we have the ability to change our own lives


Ask the average man about taking his life
Many people do not understand the power they have to take control of their own lives and find success and fulfillment


In his own hands and he won't understand
Even if presented with the idea, many people may not believe in their own ability to change their lives


That idea was stolen with the land
The idea of individuality and self-determination was lost with the colonization of America


And we scrape for the few crumbs that fall from the hand
Many people feel trapped in a cycle of poverty and struggle, constantly striving for even the smallest amount of success


Live life hungry work to get bummy or run we they 3 2 1 for the money
One must either work hard and struggle to get by, or turn to illegal activities to make money and survive in a harsh world




Contributed by Lucy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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