Rae's groundbreaking debut album helped to bring the flavour of flossing to wax as well as the use of the moniker among Wu brethren and other prominent emcees. The single "Verbal Intercourse" featured the first appearance of Nas Escobar, Nas' alter ego. Similarly, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, who served as Rae's partner in rhyme throughout the entire Cuban Linx album, also developed a slew of other identities. Identities like Lex Diamond, one of the flashy, witty and intellectually stimulating personas of the multifaceted Raekwon.
In the years after the release of Cuban Linx, Raekwon continued to record several albums with the Clan including the platinum Wu-Tang Forver (1997) and The W (2000), as well as the gold Iron Flag (2001). He also starred in the critically acclaimed film Black and White, before releasing his second solo album, Immobilarity in 1999. Four years later, it's time for another masterpiece from Raekwon.
The Lex Diamond Story, Raekwon's forthcoming third solo album is that desperately needed effort. This new LP is as much a reflection of his first musical triumph Cuban Linx, as it is a manifestation of the future and what is to come from this great emcee. Raekwon is like the E.F. Hutton of hip-hop: when he speaks, everyone listens. The current void in hip-hop is filled with this rap veteran's
crafty verbal gymnastics and artistic form of storytelling. The Lex Diamond Story takes the top shelf elements of the Wu's first album and the finest sentiments of Raekwon's debut and joins them together to deliver another classic album to the masses.
A lyrical gourmet meal, The Lex Diamond Story shows that The Chef still possesses the recipe to cook up a jambalaya of words with the main ingredient being superior skills. Animated and intense, Raekwon's stealth delivery is filled with emotion, skilled cadence and an array of diverse stories, hooks, and topics. The track, "All Over Again (The Way We Were)" touches on the flavour of "Can It Be All So Simple" with its tale of street survival. Meanwhile, "Pit Bull Fights" is reminiscent of the ferocious lyrical beating inflicted on "Incarcerated Scarfaces." Raekwon is indisputably at his creative beast. Unchained and uninhibited, he is assertive with his music and focused on his goals.
Once Upon A Time
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get some rest man, come on, man
Stop playin' wit' me, man
(Ohh ohh ohh)
Lately, I had a love that would ignite all the fire
The desire would leave, for you I'd admire
Lately, you seem all corrupt
Drove me to arms of another
Broke the top of goose-down shits, kissed her on the neck
Real love, hope this ain't the last time we meet
Felt like a king who had a queen want him
I usually deserve hotels, this one's the gift, slick
On our eye-to-eye contact, body movement, all on the grind
A lady's starin' at me, all in my mind
Sayin', "Boo, I gotta live with you, let's connect and be a bridge"
You stay three forths and I'm-a wiz you
Sayin', months ago, you came to me
Told me, love me forever
See, time has passed and lonely days
Have rid his head now, stormy weather
But out of the rain, came some delight
I ain't ashamed, I know that it's right
The way that I'm feelin'
He touches me, in ways I like
Says things you won't, won't day or night
Givin' me healin, I'm leavin'
'cause you wanted to know that is the reason
Lately, I had a love that would ignite all the fire
The desire would leave, for you I'd admire
Lately, you seem all corrupt
I've had enough and you forced me to hide under covers
Drove me to arms of another
The only set back in my state of grace
Is that the love is real, for you and him in different ways and
You're out in space, yes here on earth it's fun to play
I wish you were present so my love wouldn't go astray
And he gives what I need
Quenches my thirst when you say "Girl, please"
That's a waste of my breath
And it's funny to me that you get upset
And I told you quite often
I'ma fill up the space, did ya think I was talkin'
Out the side of my neck?
You left me alone, what did you expect?
Lately, I had a love that would ignite all the fire
The desire would leave, for you I'd admire
Lately, you seem all corrupt
I've had enough and you forced me to hide under covers
Drove me to arms of another
I'm dead in my sleep, she's standin' over the kid
I'm terrified, shorty was deep
I had my hand in her account plus livin' in a lab
Like a count, I had to go six shorties was pink yo
She had the yolk on me that's when I went broke
We used to flip coke together, get boasted and float
We split real bread, we was large
We had our weddin' in the garage
And then she stopped reviewin' my bars
Hold up
Lately, I had a love that would ignite all the fire
The desire would leave, for you I'd admire
Lately, you seem all corrupt
I've had enough and you forced me to hide under covers
Drove me to arms of another
Lately, I had a love that would ignite all the fire
The desire would leave, for you I'd admire
Lately, you seem all corrupt
I've had enough and you forced me to hide under covers
Drove me to arms of another
The lyrics to Raekwon's song "Once Upon a Time" tell the story of a man who is torn between two loves. He reminisces about his past love and how it used to ignite a fire within him, but now he sees her as corrupt and someone who drove him to seek comfort in the arms of another woman. The new love makes him feel like a king with a queen who wants him, and he is cautious not to lose her. However, he still longs for his original love, causing him inner turmoil.
The lyrics also touch upon drug dealing, with the mention of flipping coke, getting boisterous and floating, and going broke. It is evident that his drug dealing past has caught up with him and caused him to be in a vulnerable state. The theme of vulnerability is further highlighted by the line "I'm dead in my sleep, she's standing over the kid, I'm terrified, shorty was deep." This line suggests that he is afraid of the consequences of his actions, and he doesn't trust his past love.
Overall, the lyrics to "Once Upon a Time" paint a picture of a man who is struggling to come to terms with his past and is caught between his two loves. The lyrics also touch upon themes of vulnerability, trust, and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Chill, nigga, chill
Relax and calm down
Get some rest man, come on, man
Take a break and get some sleep, friend
Stop playin' wit' me, man
Stop messing around and take things seriously
(Ohh ohh ohh)
Refrain with vocalizations
Lately, I had a love that would ignite all the fire
Recently, I had a passionate love that set my heart ablaze
The desire would leave, for you I'd admire
Although my passion would wane, I still held you in high esteem
Lately, you seem all corrupt
Nowadays, you seem untrustworthy and morally bankrupt
I've had enough and you forced me to hide under covers
I am fed up with you and feel the need to hide from you
Drove me to arms of another
You pushed me into the arms of someone else
Broke the top of goose-down shits, kissed her on the neck
I opened luxurious bedding and kissed my lover's neck
Real love, hope this ain't the last time we meet
This is true love, and I hope we will see each other again
Felt like a king who had a queen want him
I felt like royalty, desired by a queen
I usually deserve hotels, this one's the gift, slick
I am usually accustomed to staying in hotels, but this is a special treat
On our eye-to-eye contact, body movement, all on the grind
We connected through eye contact and body language with a sensual intensity
A lady's starin' at me, all in my mind
A woman is constantly on my mind, staring at me
Sayin', "Boo, I gotta live with you, let's connect and be a bridge"
She suggested that we live together and strengthen our bond
You stay three forths and I'm-a wiz you
You will stay with me for three-quarters of the year, and I'll travel with you for the other quarter
Sayin', months ago, you came to me
Months ago, you approached me
Told me, love me forever
You professed your love for me and promised to love me forever
See, time has passed and lonely days
But as time has gone by, I've felt lonely
Have rid his head now, stormy weather
Now my mind is clear, and I'm no longer going through a difficult time
But out of the rain, came some delight
But then something joyful happened unexpectedly
I ain't ashamed, I know that it's right
I am not embarrassed; I know that what I am doing is correct
He touches me, in ways I like
He touches me in ways that I find satisfying
Says things you won't, won't day or night
He tells me things you would never say, day or night
Givin' me healin, I'm leavin'
He provides me with comfort, and I am leaving you
'cause you wanted to know that is the reason
Because I wanted you to know why I'm leaving
The only set back in my state of grace
The only problem in my otherwise peaceful state
Is that the love is real, for you and him in different ways and
The love I have for you and him is genuine, but in different ways
You're out in space, yes here on earth it's fun to play
You are out of touch with reality, while on this planet, life is enjoyable
I wish you were present so my love wouldn't go astray
I wish you were here with me, so my love wouldn't wander
And he gives what I need
He provides me with what I require
Quenches my thirst when you say "Girl, please"
He satisfies my desires when you tell me to leave
That's a waste of my breath
It's pointless for me to speak to you
And it's funny to me that you get upset
I find it amusing that you get angry
And I told you quite often
I have told you many times
I'ma fill up the space, did ya think I was talkin'
I am going to find someone else to fill your place, did you think I was joking?
Out the side of my neck?
Were my words merely coming out of my mouth and not sincere?
You left me alone, what did you expect?
You abandoned me, what did you think would happen?
I'm dead in my sleep, she's standin' over the kid
I am unconscious in my sleep, and she is watching over our child
I'm terrified, shorty was deep
I am afraid; she was involved in something dangerous
I had my hand in her account plus livin' in a lab
I had financial control and was living in a laboratory with her
Like a count, I had to go six shorties was pink yo
I had to leave; I was in charge of six women, and they were all wearing pink
She had the yolk on me that's when I went broke
She had control over me, and that is when I lost everything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, LEIGH HARLINE, NED WASHINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind