Harder Than You Think
Public Enemy Lyrics

What, goes, on!
What is happening, what is going on around us?

Rolling Stones of the rap game, not bragging
We are one of the best groups in the rap game, and we are not bragging about it.

Lips bigger than Jagger, not saggin'
Our lips are bigger than Mick Jagger's, but we are not sagging our pants like some other rappers do.

Spell it backwards, I'mma leave it at that
Our name can be spelled backwards, but we are not going to say it out loud.

That ain't got nothing to do with rap
Our name has nothing to do with rap or the lyrics in our songs.

Check the facts, expose those cats
We are going to research and uncover the truth about those who pretend to be heroes and take advantage of black people.

Who pose as heroes and take advantage of blacks
There are people who pretend to be heroes but are actually exploiting black people.

Your government's gangster, so cut the crap
Our government is just as corrupt as gangsters, so let's stop pretending that they are morally superior.

A war going on so where y'all at?
There is a war happening, so where are you? Are you taking action or just standing by?

"Fight the Power" comes great responsibility
When we say 'Fight the Power,' it comes with a responsibility to take action and make a change.

'F the Police' but who's stopping you from killing me?
We say 'F the Police' because they are corrupt and don't protect us, but who is stopping them from killing us?

Disaster, fiascos over a loop by P.E
There have been disasters and fiascos because people take our music out of context and use it for their own harmful purposes.

If it's an I instead of we believing TV
If you believe the TV instead of thinking for yourself and coming together as a community, there will be division and harm.

Spitting riches, bitches, and this new thing about snitches
Other rappers talk about material wealth, women as objects, and glorify snitching, which is harmful to our community.

Watch them asses move as the masses switches
People are swayed by what is popular, instead of thinking for themselves, and this is harmful.

System dissed them but barely missed her
The system has failed the masses, but has barely missed the wealthy and privileged.

My sole intention to save my brothers and sisters
My main goal is to help and save my fellow black people.

(Hard) Get up Just like that
Get up and take action, quickly and decisively.

Screamin' gangsta 20 years later
Even two decades later, people are still glorifying the gangster lifestyle.

Of course endorsed while consciousness faded
People are still supporting and endorsing gangster culture, even as their awareness and sense of morality declines.

New generations believing them fables
Younger generations are being taught and are believing in harmful and untrue myths about the gangster lifestyle.

Gangster Boogie on two turntables
The DJ is playing a song that glorifies the gangster lifestyle.

Show no love so its easy to hate it
When people refuse to show love and empathy, it's easy to hate others and contribute to harmful actions.

Desecrated while the coroner waited
After people die from the impacts of the gangster lifestyle or from police brutality, their bodies are often mistreated and disrespected.

Any given Sunday so where y'all rate it?
Even on peaceful, ordinary days, there are still harmful and violent actions taking place. So, what are you doing about it?

Wit slavery, lynching, and them drugs infiltrated
Black people have faced centuries of oppression including slavery, lynching, and the infiltration of drugs into their communities.

I'm like that doll Chucky, baby Keep comin' back to live love life like I'm crazy
I may seem crazy for always coming back to the cause and fighting for justice, even when it's difficult, but I do it because I love life and want to help others have a better one.

Keep it movin' risin' to the top
We will keep moving and fighting for justice, no matter how difficult it gets, and eventually we will succeed.

Doug Fresh clean livin' you don't stop
Doug E. Fresh is an example of someone who lives a clean, positive lifestyle, and we should strive to emulate him.

Revolution means change, don't look at me strange
Revolution means taking action and making significant changes to the system, so don't be surprised or suspicious of us when we fight for justice.

So I can't repeat what other rappers be sayin'
I can't repeat the same harmful and violent messages that other rappers are promoting.

You don't stand for something, you fall for anything
If you don't stand up for something and fight for what you believe, you will be easily swayed and fall for anything or anyone.

Harder than you think, its a beautiful thing
Fighting for justice and taking action is difficult, but it is a beautiful and worthwhile thing to do.

So it's time to leave you a preview So you too can review what we do 20 years in this business, "How You Sell Soul?" G-Wiz, people bear witness
We want to give you a glimpse of what we do, so that you can understand and appreciate our work. We have been in the business for 20 years, and we will never sell our souls or compromise our values.

Thank you for lettin' us be ourselves So don't mind me if I repeat myself These simple lines be good for your health To keep them crime rhymes on the shelf
We are grateful for the opportunity to be ourselves and speak the truth. If we repeat ourselves, it's because these simple and positive messages are worth repeating to improve our health and well-being. We should not glorify or promote violent and criminal actions.

Live love life like you just don't care Five thousand leaders never scared "Bring the Noise," it's 'the moment they feared' Get up! Still a beautiful idea
We should live our lives with love and care, not afraid of the repercussions for fighting for justice. There are thousands of leaders who are not afraid to take action. When we 'Bring the Noise,' it's the moment that those who fear change fear the most. So get up and take action, because it's still a beautiful idea.

Throw yo hands in the air Get up and show no fear Get up if y'all really care PE 20 years Now get up
Put your hands up and show that you are not afraid to take action. Get up and fight for what you care about, because Public Enemy has been doing it for 20 years, and we are not stopping now.