Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better … Read Full Bio ↴Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is a Grammy award winning American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, actor and record producer. Debuting in 1991 with the group Public Announcement, Kelly went solo in 1993, starting off a successful career with the release of the album 12 Play. He has since released a further nine studio albums, collaborated with Jay-Z on two albums and has had many successful singles including Bump N' Grind, I Believe I Can Fly, Ignition, The World's Greatest and the hip-hopera Trapped in the Closet.

Kelly has also produced and performed in many tracks by other R&B and hip-hop artists. In 1994, Kelly produced and wrote the debut album of R&B singer Aaliyah and in 1995, Kelly co-produced and wrote the song "You Are Not Alone" for Michael Jackson, which was included on Jackson's album, HIStory. Kelly has sung the hooks for many notable hip-hop songs, such as "Fuckin' You Tonight" by The Notorious B.I.G., "We Thuggin'" by Fat Joe, "Gigolo" by Nick Cannon, and "Go Getta" by Young Jeezy, and has collaborated for two albums with Jay-Z.

How Many
R. Kelly Lyrics

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There's no argument
You don't pick a side
It's more than politics
It's more than just another life
It's more than politics
It's time we try to make it right
How many people have to die
Before we start to question the things that we do

How many parents have to cry
Because their kids won't be coming back home tonight
I try my best not to forget
All the lives we've lost
When neighbors turned invaders man whos watching the block
What do you use for protection when you're scared of the cops
You say that you're a shepherd you're just a part of the flock
You said you need a new direction cause this shit has got to stop
How many people have to die
Before we start to question the things that we do
How many parents have to cry
Because their kids won't be coming back home tonight
How many people have to die
Before we start to question the things that we do

How many parents have to cry
Because their kids won't be coming back home tonight

Overall Meaning

In R. Kelly's song "How Many," the lyrics delve into the theme of societal issues, specifically violence and the loss of innocent lives. The song presents a plea for introspection and a call to action, highlighting the need to question the actions and decisions that contribute to the perpetuation of violence in our society.

The opening lines, "There's no argument, you don't pick a side," suggest that the issue at hand is not a matter of taking sides or engaging in political rhetoric. It goes beyond politics and encompasses a much wider scope, emphasizing that the problem is much more profound and requires collective effort to address.

The repetition of the line "How many people have to die before we start to question the things that we do" serves as a provocative statement, challenging the listener to reflect on the root causes of the violence that leads to unnecessary loss of life. The following line, "How many parents have to cry because their kids won't be coming back home tonight," paints a vivid picture of the devastating consequences that violence has on families, emphasizing the urgency to address the issue.

The lyrics also touch upon themes of fear, mistrust, and the desire for change. The line "What do you use for protection when you're scared of the cops" highlights the underlying distrust that exists within communities and prompts the listener to consider alternative solutions to addressing safety concerns.

Overall, "How Many" encourages listeners to question the status quo, advocate for change, and work towards creating a society where the loss of innocent lives is minimized.

Line by Line Meaning

There's no argument
There is no debate or disagreement

You don't pick a side
You do not choose a particular stance or position

It's more than politics
The issue is deeper and more significant than just politics

It's more than just another life
It is not just another individual's life, it has greater importance

It's time we try to make it right
Now is the moment to put effort into correcting the situation

How many people have to die
What is the number of casualties required

Before we start to question the things that we do
Before we begin to doubt and examine our actions

How many parents have to cry
What is the number of grieving parents

Because their kids won't be coming back home tonight
Due to their children not returning home tonight

I try my best not to forget
I make an effort not to overlook or disregard

All the lives we've lost
The numerous lives that have been lost

When neighbors turned invaders man who's watching the block
When your own community becomes hostile, who is safeguarding the neighborhood

What do you use for protection when you're scared of the cops
What measures do you take to defend yourself when you fear law enforcement

You say that you're a shepherd, you're just a part of the flock
You claim to be a leader, but you are merely one of the followers

You said you need a new direction cause this shit has got to stop
You expressed the need for a different course of action because this situation must end