Johnny Is Dead
Q-Tip Lyrics

Sometimes I phase out when I look at the screen
Sometimes I get lost in thought while using technology

And I think about my chance for me to intervene
And I reflect on my opportunity to make a positive impact

And it's up to me to bring back the hope
And it's my responsibility to restore optimism

Put feeling in the music that you could quote
Create emotionally resonant music that people will remember

Not saying that I hate it, cause here I kinda dig it
I'm not saying I dislike the current music scene, I actually enjoy it

But what good is a ear if a Q-Tip isn't in it?
But what's the point of listening to music if you're not listening to Q-Tip?

So to stick it in, to inform your friend
So, spread the word and inform your friends about Q-Tip's music

Your boy from the hood, is on that shit again
I'm back at it again, making music from the perspective of someone from the hood

He has upped the degrees and dropped the mercuries
I've increased my skill level and lowered my ego

To splash on the mass from low to upper class
To appeal to a wide range of listeners, from all social classes

And when the records spins and sometimes blows a wind
And when the record spins, it can sometimes bring change

A fickleness of friends, they sometimes hate again
Sometimes friends can be unreliable and turn on you

They always bring up Tribe on me, could not survive on me
They always talk about my past with A Tribe Called Quest, but I'm doing just fine on my own

Cause this is my man's on me, this is my fams
Because I have my own team now, my own family in the music industry

And here's somethin' new, it's front row for you
And here's something new: the best seat in the house for you

So don't misconstrue, it's Tribal and true
So, don't misunderstand, my music is still true to the roots of A Tribe Called Quest

My dudes who hustle hard, don't stop your repertoire
My hardworking friends, keep doing what you're doing and don't give up

As long as you could see, it's you who's stayin' we
As long as you can see that you're the one who's staying true to yourself and your values, we'll be fine

Cause life is filled with (?) pills and little pearls and shit
Because life is full of obstacles and negative influences

I'm fuckin' up, I mean, I'm trippin' up
I'm not perfect, I make mistakes sometimes

But still, there is a void, and people get annoyed
But there's still a sense of emptiness, and people get frustrated

Let's focus is on the feel, before we get a deal
Let's prioritize the emotional resonance of the music over simply getting a record deal

Come on
Let's do this

Figurin' life can be a thing, the wilderness is wild to me
Trying to navigate life can be challenging, it can feel like being in a wild and unknown place

But you're not alone, I see we're just the same
But you're not alone, I understand what you're going through because I've been there too

With the vibe we came, to put back on the street
The energy and sound we bring is meant for the community

Let's take care of ours, and ensure we eat
Let's take care of our own people and make sure we have what we need

And Oprah an 'em, they criticize the boys
Even successful people like Oprah criticize and judge the hip hop community

Without in between, they lose all their boys
Without promoting understanding and compassion, they will lose the support of the hip hop community

They can't keep us down, we're dominate and brown
They can't bring us down, we as the dominant brown community are too strong

And those other shades, they join our parade
Other communities join ours in celebrating and supporting hip hop

But wait there's rain ahead, like Brit and Kevin Fed
But there's always trouble ahead, like Britney Spears and Kevin Federline's tumultuous relationship

And magazine debris, is shit she gotta see it
And the negative press and gossip is something she has to deal with

I'm no different to you, I goes through it too
I'm just like you, I go through tough times as well

I thumbs through the page, I don't come of age
I flip through the magazine pages, but I don't necessarily agree with what they're saying

I'm not a deity, I'm far from perfect, see
I'm not a god, I have flaws like everyone else

I roll the tumble weed, it's just a humble scene
I'm just a small player in the greater scheme of things

That I present to you, is just a mister crue
What I'm showing you is just a small sample of what I'm capable of

Who burrs a harmony, and soon a melody
Who creates a harmonious sound, and soon a melody

That speaks to where we are, the door, I hope's ajar
A sound that speaks to our current state, and a hopeful feeling that the door to opportunity is open

And soon we're walkin' in, a blip, it's just to say, "Come on"
And soon we'll be walking through that door, a small blip on the radar of our journey, but still an encouragement to keep moving forward