Promoe has released five albums, quite a few 12"s and also many singles with Astma&Rockwell which you can download for free on Looptrooprockers.com. Promoe's albums to date are: Government Music, Long Distance Runner, White Man's Burden, Standard Bearer and the newest one is Kråksången which is in swedish. The label is Looptroops own, David versus Goliath (DvsG) since 1998, which is distributed through Burning Heart. Soundism has given their sound treatment to most of Promoe's recent releases.
Promoe got regonition from the first of the albums but increasingly so with the second album, which made the charts properly, in Sweden and worldwide.
The lyrics have always been political, though slightly shifting in nature.
Government Music, with its cover art borrowing from the the legacy of Aleksandr Rodchenko, and a song bearing ode to the Orwellian George Lucas motion picture THX 1138.
Long Distance Runner, where Promoe started to get heavily into a more ethical perspective with him clad in a big white dress on the album cover and moving the focus a bit to also include subjects such as abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
White Man's Burden, borrowing it's title from Kipling's poem with the same name deals in great detail with contradictory nature of being a white rapping/toasting rasta like artist recording in Jamaica and at the same time being conscious of subjects such as feminism and racism.
Dog Day Afternoon
Promoe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a new day, what we call the morning after.
Ain't nothing changed, though.
Still the same war, yer' head feelin like it exploded last night, right.
Verse 1: (Promoe)
All of the people can't be alright all of the time they tell me
But some people seem to have a right to have it all
Don't follow Babylon system because they're capitalistic cannibals
I'm callin' for equal rights and justice just like the teacher Peter Tosh did
Tryin' to reach my people in the mush pit at the festivals
Or at the clubs, the cars, the parks, at homes ' wherever you choose to roam
Promoe on the microphone, don't care if I'm right or no I just shoot the foam
Don't know if it's night or afternoon, but I know it's the morning after soon
And I know I'm gonna pass out soon, too fast too soon, bring me back the tune
So I can vibe all night like there's no tomorrow
Come with me on a flight, leave this world so shallow
Piece of the pie, keys of the ride, E's for the high, dime piece on the side
That's what they all want aint's it, y'all gon' feel it morning after, no more laughter
Work in iniquity and we think we are free
Just because we can't see, the chorus sing it with me!
Chorus: (Promoe & Rantoboko)
Oh yes
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
I'm so tired of the world right now
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
Never wanna wake up no more
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
Just wanna take it easy
- I am with the people when the world unites...
Verse 2: (Timbuktu)
No peace ' no justice, they're restless, don't need get busted for questions
Seek and trust in affection, plus keep in touch with the checks and
People wieldin' weapons at each other to keep it covered
And keep it comin', the power that be just wanna see the numbers
Would probably eat their mothers, don't really speak to others
Just sit back and watch people fall into deeper slumbers
Of money and materialistic shit
That's unequally distributed
And the things that we're willing to risk for it, to just get a whiff of it
Ride around town in a crispy whip, get a pretty chick to kiss my lip
I want every day to be like a festival, I wanna kick back have nothing else to do
But eat cake in the park, drink makers mark, swim around the pool like a mako shark
But what am I gonna make the bacon off? And I get no sleep still awake at dawn
All I wanna do is hold my chest out, all you gonna get is totally stressed out
Howlin like a Wolf, screaming like Jay Hawkins
With nightmares of what their dreams might cost them
Chorus: (Timbuktu & Rantoboko)
Oh yes
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
Thinkin' of when times get better
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
Pointin' my eyes to the sky
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
And you know
- I'm chillin' with my people... when the world unites
Verse 3: (Chords)
All I hear are clocks tickin', I'm stuck in this hot kitchen
in the fuckin' wok sizzin', watchin' how the plot thickens
Watchin' all these cops friskin' little kids for shopliftin'
Tellin' em to stop, listen! Run and check the job listings
Nah mister, I don't work for slave wages
I don't want my playstation to trade places with a pacemaker
I just relaxed real cool, sat back looked pass the rules
You and your pack of fools ruined my afternoon
I swear these motherfuckers got a hold of me, bloodsuckers controllin' me
Won't let go of me, and they throwin' me to the wall, but I fall on my own two feet
Could it be cus I'm rollin' trees and my block smells like potpourri
With my eyes shot red like the Cyclops in the Odyssey when I go to sleep
It is cus I don't hold the grease? Fuck that man I flow on beats
Fuck the man patrollin' streets, cuffin' hands and holdin heat
I'd rather earn a dollar with a dirty collar
workin' the early hours for something worth the bother!
Chorus: (Chords & Rantoboko)
Don't need no 9-5
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
Not to know that I'm alive
- It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
See I know that time will fly
- It's been a had day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
Even if I don't climb inside, and vibe...
- Relaxin' with my people when the world unites!
The song "Dog Day Afternoon" by Promoe is a political commentary on the state of the world and the effects of capitalism on society. In the first verse, he calls for unity among people against the "Babylon system" of capitalist cannibals. He references Peter Tosh and his message of equal rights and justice, aiming to reach people at festivals, clubs, and homes. He raps about the desire to escape reality and enjoy life, but ultimately feels the weight of the world on his shoulders, as they're controlled by those who are driven by greed and power. The chorus talks about the exhaustion that people feel from the everyday struggles of life, and the desire to unite and take it easy.
In the second verse, Timbuktu continues the theme of societal issues, including the lack of peace and justice, the power of money, and the unequal distribution of wealth. He describes his own desires to live a carefree life but acknowledges that it is not possible due to his responsibilities and the reality of the world. He compares himself to a shark and expresses frustration with the current state of society, which challenges his ability to relax and enjoy life. In the third verse, Chords talks about his experiences with police harassment and his rejection of traditional work structures. He values his freedom and creativity and refuses to be controlled by the system.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning, boys and girls.
The singer greets the listeners.
It's a new day, what we call the morning after.
The singer acknowledges a new day after a busy night.
Ain't nothing changed, though.
The singer implies that despite the new day, everything is still the same.
Still the same war, yer' head feelin like it exploded last night, right.
The artist reminds the listeners that the struggle still continues and their heads may still be hurting from the previous night.
All of the people can't be alright all of the time they tell me
The artist acknowledges that not everyone can be okay all the time.
But some people seem to have a right to have it all
The singer recognizes that some people have a privilege to have everything.
All of my people let's unite right now
The singer calls for unity among their people.
Don't follow Babylon system because they're capitalistic cannibals
The artist advises not to follow a system that prioritizes money and power over human needs and well-being.
I'm callin' for equal rights and justice just like the teacher Peter Tosh did
The artist is advocating for equal treatment and fairness inspired by the late Peter Tosh.
Tryin' to reach my people in the mush pit at the festivals
The artist aims to communicate with their audience during music festivals.
Or at the clubs, the cars, the parks, at homes ' wherever you choose to roam
The singer wants to reach out to people wherever they are, in all kinds of settings.
Promoe on the microphone, don't care if I'm right or no I just shoot the foam
The artist, Promoe, doesn't care about being right, they just want to express themselves through their music.
Don't know if it's night or afternoon, but I know it's the morning after soon
The singer is unsure of the time of day but believes that soon it will be the morning after a long night.
And I know I'm gonna pass out soon, too fast too soon, bring me back the tune
The singer is tired and knows they will soon need to rest, but they want to hear more music before that happens.
So I can vibe all night like there's no tomorrow
The singer wants to enjoy themselves as much as possible without worrying about the future.
Come with me on a flight, leave this world so shallow
The artist wants to escape from the superficial and materialistic aspects of the world.
Piece of the pie, keys of the ride, E's for the high, dime piece on the side
The artist talks about material possessions and indulgences that people desire.
That's what they all want aint's it, y'all gon' feel it morning after, no more laughter
The singer comments on how people seek temporary pleasures but will eventually face the consequences of their actions.
Work in iniquity and we think we are free
The singer believes that people work under unjust circumstances and are not truly free.
Just because we can't see, the chorus sing it with me!
The artist wants the audience to join in and sing the chorus with them, highlighting the idea that they are not truly free even though they cannot see it.
It's been a hard day's night now it's a dog day afternoon
The chorus states that the night was tough and now it's a slow afternoon that feels like a drag.
I'm so tired of the world right now
The artist wants to express how tired they are with the world's problems and injustices.
Never wanna wake up no more
The singer is exhausted with life and doesn't want to wake up anymore.
Just wanna take it easy
The artist wants to relax and not worry about the world's problems for a little while.
I am with the people when the world unites...
The singer expresses their desire to unite with people and come together to work towards a better world.
No peace ' no justice, they're restless, don't need get busted for questions
The singer believes that there is no peace or justice and that people are restless and afraid of being punished for asking questions.
Seek and trust in affection, plus keep in touch with the checks and
The singer advises that people should seek love and trust while also being careful with money.
People wielding weapons at each other to keep it covered
The artist highlights violent acts that people use to keep their secrets hidden.
And keep it comin', the power that be just wanna see the numbers
The artist suggests that those in power only care about numbers and not the well-being of the people.
Would probably eat their mothers, don't really speak to others
The singer believes that those in power would do anything to remain in control and don't communicate with others.
Just sit back and watch people fall into deeper slumbers
The singer suggests that those in power are content to watch people suffer and become even more oppressed in their sleep.
Of money and materialistic shit
The artist critiques the focus on money and consumerism.
That's unequally distributed
The artist believes that wealth is not, and has never been, distributed equally.
And the things that we're willing to risk for it, to just get a whiff of it
The artist critiques how people are willing to risk everything for wealth that is not evenly distributed.
Ride around town in a crispy whip, get a pretty chick to kiss my lip
The singer describes how some people believe that having a fancy car and a beautiful partner are important signs of success and happiness.
I want every day to be like a festival, I wanna kick back have nothing else to do
The artist expresses their desire for every day to be a carefree festival where they can relax and not worry about anything else.
But what am I gonna make the bacon off? And I get no sleep still awake at dawn
The singer acknowledges the reality that one needs money to survive, and laments their inability to sleep because of this anxiety.
All I wanna do is hold my chest out, all you gonna get is totally stressed out
The singer simply wants to be proud of themselves, but fears that it will only lead to more stress and anxiety.
Howlin like a Wolf, screaming like Jay Hawkins
The singer describes their own raw expression of emotion through music (in the style of Screamin' Jay Hawkins).
With nightmares of what their dreams might cost them
The artist worries about the negative consequences of chasing dreams and paying the price in the future.
Don't need no 9-5
The artist doesn't want to work a typical 9-5 job.
Not to know that I'm alive
The singer wants to feel more present and alive, and not just exist to work.
See I know that time will fly
The singer acknowledges that time goes by quickly.
Even if I don't climb inside, and vibe...
The artist suggests that one can still connect with others and enjoy life without conforming to societal expectations.
Relaxin' with my people when the world unites!
The artist wants to unwind with friends and family while actively working towards global unity and peace.
Contributed by Grayson G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.