In September 2010, Pusha T signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint, under the aegis of Def Jam Recordings. Later that year, he was featured on West's single "Runaway," which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2011, he released his first solo project, the mixtape Fear of God, which was followed up with his debut solo album, My Name Is My Name, released in 2013. In November 2015, West appointed Pusha T to take over his role as president of GOOD Music. Pusha T remained a flagship artist for the label until ending his tenure with the company in 2022.
Pusha T has since then released three solo albums: King Push β Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude (2015), Daytona (2018), and It's Almost Dry (2022), all receiving widespread critical acclaim; the latter was Pusha T's first number one debut on the Billboard 200.
Open Your Eyes
Pusha T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy
Seeing is believin', believe when you see it
They saying I'm the best shit, I'm just trying to be it
They tied me to a mountain of it, I just try to ski it
Long distance wireless Kinect like I Wii it
Cause it's way over their heads when I Ray Allen 3 it
I'm Rondo on the bongos when giving you my convo
We ain't been home since we were snatched out the Congo
Toast to progress as I'm staring out my condo
Made it this far and I ain't never been a Tonto
Yuh, as you compare me to a fuckin' rookie
You can't respect the new school when you played hookie
Cooked white, turned it tan, sold world Snooki
School of Hard Knocks, look at where the game took me
To the limit like Montana with better grammar
Bigger homes with bigger guns and better cameras
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy
You are now listening to the future
Open your eyes, nigga, and see what I see
Don't mind me, I'm just here to restore the feeling
Yeah, I'm just here to restore the feeling
You feel the pressure, yeah
I never pitched a penny in a wishing well (Never)
I laid it all on a fishing scale (Yes)
And an apron that hung from a kitchen nail
Straight from my memoirs as I kiss and tell
Big faces like Rushmore, touch more
Fashion trailblazers, trendsetters look to us for
The next mission when the tide dries up
With no innervision yet they eyes wide shut
Fifteen years abducting spies like us
Confidential informants disguised like us
Jail doesn't resonate with guys like us
Told Wesley at the Oscars to slide like us
Didn't listen, so prison is what they did to him
Accountant unscathed, millions is what they hid through him
Same principles you must adhere
Lohans get the breaks, the T.I.'s, we just steer through 'em
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy
The odds is against us
No excuses though, we just play harder
Hustle smarter, yeah
They done freed Weezy
Congratulations my nigga
Now let TIP go, yuh
In Pusha T's song Open Your Eyes, he starts by urging the listener to open their eyes and look up to the skies. He refers to himself as a poor boy, perhaps to indicate that despite his success, he still feels like he has a long way to go. Pusha T then goes on to say that seeing is believing and he is just trying to be the best he can, even though people are constantly comparing him to other artists. He plays on the double meaning of the word "see" by talking about skiing, Wii, and Ray Allen, creating a theme of vision throughout the song.
Pusha T also talks about his progress, from being snatched out of the Congo to now living in a luxurious condo. He plays on the idea that he has come a long way from where he started but is still striving for more success. He also mentions his transition from the streets to the rap game, showing his confidence in what he has achieved. Pusha T references the pressure and challenges that come with being successful and acknowledges the odds are against him, but he chooses to play harder and hustle smarter. He also suggests that TIP should be freed as Weezy has been.
Overall, Open Your Eyes is a song about perseverance and the will to keep going despite the odds. Pusha T urges the listeners to open their eyes, look up to the skies, and see what he sees, which is a future full of potential and success. The song has a distinct theme of vision, which Pusha T uses to draw a parallel between his success and the way he sees the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Open your eyes
Pay attention and be aware of the current situation
Look up to the skies and see
Take a moment to look at the world around you
I'm just a poor boy
Despite his success, Pusha T humbly acknowledges his past and where he came from
Seeing is believin', believe when you see it
Skepticism is common, but seeing something for oneself is the ultimate test of truth
They saying I'm the best shit, I'm just trying to be it
There are plenty of opinions and expectations to live up to, but Pusha T's goal is to strive for greatness regardless
They tied me to a mountain of it, I just try to ski it
Despite being overwhelmed by his success and wealth, Pusha T tries his best to overcome the challenges and enjoy the ride
Long distance wireless Kinect like I Wii it
Pusha T uses technology jargon to describe his skills and precision
Double-U double-I, spelled so you can see it
Pusha T spells out his initials to make sure that his audience knows exactly who he is
Cause it's way over their heads when I Ray Allen 3 it
Pusha T's metaphors and wordplay go over some people's heads, just like a basketball shot from 3-point range by Ray Allen
I'm Rondo on the bongos when giving you my convo
Pusha T compares himself to basketball player Rajon Rondo, who is skilled in his own way; Pusha T is also skilled in talking and giving conversation, like playing the bongo drums
We ain't been home since we were snatched out the Congo
Pusha T references the violence and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and how his success has kept him away from his roots
Toast to progress as I'm staring out my condo
Pusha T reflects on the progress he's made while sitting in his luxurious condo
Made it this far and I ain't never been a Tonto
Pusha T has made it to where he is without being someone's sidekick or subordinate
Yuh, as you compare me to a fuckin' rookie
Some people underestimate Pusha T and compare him to people who are less experienced or successful than he is
You can't respect the new school when you played hookie
People who haven't put in the work to become successful can't truly understand or respect those who have
Cooked white, turned it tan, sold world Snooki
Pusha T is referencing his days as a drug dealer, turning cocaine from white to tan and selling it globally like the Jersey Shore reality star Snooki
School of Hard Knocks, look at where the game took me
Pusha T has learned from difficult experiences and struggles, but those same things have also brought him success
To the limit like Montana with better grammar
Pusha T compares himself to former NFL quarterback Joe Montana for his work under pressure, but also points out that he has better lyrical skills and wordplay
Bigger homes with bigger guns and better cameras
Pusha T has gained wealth and security through his success, with larger houses and better security measures
You are now listening to the future
Pusha T is pointing out that his music is ahead of its time and will be influential in the future
Don't mind me, I'm just here to restore the feeling
Pusha T is trying to bring back the realness and authenticity to the rap game
Yeah, I'm just here to restore the feeling
Pusha T reiterates his mission to bring back meaningful and substantive rap music
You feel the pressure, yeah
Pusha T acknowledges the pressure that comes with his success and artistry
I never pitched a penny in a wishing well (Never)
Pusha T didn't rely on wishful thinking to get where he is, but instead took action and worked hard
I laid it all on a fishing scale (Yes)
Pusha T used precise measuring and calculated moves to get ahead
And an apron that hung from a kitchen nail
Pusha T references the days he spent in the kitchen cooking and selling drugs
Straight from my memoirs as I kiss and tell
Pusha T is sharing intimate details of his past experiences through his music
Big faces like Rushmore, touch more
Pusha T has accumulated large amounts of currency, and refers to the faces on Mount Rushmore as a representation of his success
Fashion trailblazers, trendsetters look to us for
Pusha T has also become an icon in fashion, and people look to his style for inspiration
The next mission when the tide dries up
Pusha T is always thinking ahead and preparing for the future, knowing that things won't always be easy
With no innervision yet they eyes wide shut
Despite not having the same depth of insight, many people are still blinded by what they see
Fifteen years abducting spies like us
Pusha T has been in the game for a long time, and has dealt with many people trying to take advantage of him
Confidential informants disguised like us
Some people pretend to be on Pusha T's side, but are actually working against him
Jail doesn't resonate with guys like us
Pusha T and others like him have been in situations where they could have gone to jail, but they don't let that fear affect their actions
Told Wesley at the Oscars to slide like us
Pusha T referenced Wesley Snipes, who went to jail for tax evasion, and advised him to be more careful and aware of the risks they both face
Didn't listen, so prison is what they did to him
Wesley Snipes didn't take Pusha T's advice, and as a result, he ended up serving time in prison
Accountant unscathed, millions is what they hid through him
Pusha T knows people who have been able to hide their money and avoid getting into legal trouble
Same principles you must adhere
Pusha T is reminding his listeners that they must follow the same principles he does in order to be successful
Lohans get the breaks, the T.I.'s, we just steer through 'em
Pusha T is pointing out the differences in how celebrities are treated, using Lindsay Lohan and T.I. as examples
The odds is against us
Pusha T recognizes that, as a black man in America, the odds are stacked against him
No excuses though, we just play harder
Despite the obstacles, Pusha T doesn't make excuses and instead works harder to succeed
Hustle smarter, yeah
Pusha T is always looking for ways to improve and work more efficiently
They done freed Weezy
Pusha T is referencing the release of Lil Wayne from prison, and how it's a good thing for the rap game
Congratulations my nigga
Pusha T is congratulating Lil Wayne on his release
Now let TIP go, yuh
Pusha T is also advocating for the release of T.I., who is still serving time in prison
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KingDomsKingdom85
One of (if not) his most underrated song of Pushas in my opinion. Outstanding
@thomastalley7806
No doubt!!! With that Queen verse too...
NASTY
@dingirfirm5565
Major Truth, attached to a major disgraceful act, ya know what I mean.
@raiden6669
This is HIS BEST.
@jjordan6066
Anyone know if he performs this?
@raiden6669
@@jjordan6066 let me check
@Teflon_tone
This was one of the songs that made this nigga one of my favorite artists period
@mrbass093
Preach bro
@Teflon_tone
mrbass093Β THAT nigga bout to drop ten songs in a week thats gonna fuck the game upΒ
@joshuacheney4259
+ToneEsco Mark@ocshield.com