Raheem DeVaughn's debut album was "The Love Experience;" his critically acc… Read Full Bio ↴Raheem DeVaughn's debut album was "The Love Experience;" his critically acclaimed follow-up was "Love Behind The Melody."

DeVaughn's musical story began with his mother's vinyl collection. "I always loved music so I would sneak into her record collection when she wasn't around and play her stuff." DeVaughn's father, noted jazz musician Abdul Wadud was also an influence. DeVaughn knew at an early age that he would become an entertainer.

DeVaughn graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland; then headed to nearby Coppin State. It was the first day of college that changed the course of his life. "I saw a group of guys standing outside singing, Boyz II Men style," remembers DeVaughn. "I just went up there and started harmonizing with them. Before I knew what was going on, I was in a group, cutting class to write lyrics and record." After winning $2,000.00 in a talent show at Bar None, a Washington D.C. nightclub, DeVaughn decided to go for broke and invested all of his winnings into a CD burner. Several independent releases led to a showcase with Jive Records, and the career was on it's way.

Who
Raheem DeVaughn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I hope you don't mind, if the illest words you ever
heard, flow through me right about now.
Now that you're here. Glad you tuned in.
Please turn to God. Listen, I got a vision.

[Verse 1:]
Ain't it about time that we start livin this life by
leadin as examples. (yeah) Before this world that exists

ends up rottin to the core by one bad apple.
(umm) From my block to Bancock,
it's a mighty big world much further than the eye can
see.(yeah) That's no excuse for you and I to think
what if things still don't afect you and me.
The things we don't see. I think we need to recognize.

[Chorus:]
Who (who) who (oh yea) who who
(who you) who who (if you don't recognize).
Who (who) who (oh oh) who who (who) who who.

[Verse 2:]
Yeah you got the crib of ya dreams and you rollin on
dubs. But tell me where's the love.
(where) You betta rememba,
for every picket fence in the suburbs,
down the street there's a growin ghetto,
on the other side. (yea) And how along the way where
did we how did we forget about the children.
(oh oh) Maybe that's why we're playin catchup tryna
make up for ones we lost over time.
(oh failin to realize) (oh yea, oh yea)

[Chorus:]
Who (oh oh) who (who cares) who who
(who's gonna lead us) who who
(is anybody listening out there) who
(it's so who) who (who yea) who who (oh) who who (you gotta understand).

[Verse 3:]
??, if a bombshell falls (falls).
Then the children, and the laughter,
the green pastures would come to an end.
See the choice (choices we make) we make seals our
faith (ooh Lord yea). So glad you tuned in.
Hello, is anybody listening out there (oh).
.. Need some time to breathe (yea).
We all need time to breathe, get our thoughts together (yea).

[Chorus:]
Who (who) who (who) who who
(who's gonna care) who who
(oh who Lord) who (who) who (who) who who (who) who who (who).

[Bridge:]
Who's gonna really care, who's gonna take us there,
who's gonna change there ways,
who's gonna pay the price,
who's gonna change their life,
who's gonna takes us there,
who's gonna find the path,

who's gonna live ??, who's gonna live for us,
who's gonna live for love, or the name, or the music ??

Overall Meaning

In Raheem DeVaughn’s song, Who, the artist addresses the importance of making positive choices and leading by example, not just for oneself but for the wider world. The opening lyric, “I hope you don’t mind if the illest words you ever heard, flow through me right about now”, sets the tone for the song as a message of inspiration and importance. Raheem encourages listeners to turn to God and consider their role in the world, stating “Ain’t it about time that we start livin this life by leadin as examples… That’s no excuse for you and I to think what if things still don’t affect you and me. The things we don’t see, I think we need to recognize”.

The second verse addresses materialism and social inequality, pointing out that while some may have everything they dreamt of, others are living in poverty or dangerous situations. Raheem emphasizes that we need to remember the children and recognize the consequences of our choices, as “the choice we make seals our faith… We all need time to breathe, get our thoughts together”. The chorus continually repeats the question “Who?” - begging the listener to ask themselves who is going to be the change in the world, who is going to care for the future, and who will recognize the consequences of their actions. The song concludes with a contemplative bridge, culminating in the idea of living for love or for music as a force of change in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

I hope you don't mind, if the illest words you ever heard, flow through me right about now.
I hope my powerful message doesn't offend you, but I'm going to deliver it anyway.

Now that you're here. Glad you tuned in.
I'm grateful you're listening to me.

Please turn to God. Listen, I got a vision.
Turn your attention to spirituality and listen to what I have to say, I have a vision for a better world.

Ain't it about time that we start livin this life by leadin as examples.
It's time for us to start being role models in our lives.

Before this world that exists ends up rottin to the core by one bad apple.
We need to be responsible and set good examples before our world becomes corrupted.

From my block to Bancock, it's a mighty big world much further than the eye can see.
The world is vast beyond our immediate surroundings.

That's no excuse for you and I to think what if things still don't afect you and me. The things we don't see. I think we need to recognize.
Just because we don't see the negative effects of societal issues now, doesn't mean they won't affect us in the future. We need to recognize these issues.

Yeah you got the crib of ya dreams and you rollin on dubs. But tell me where's the love.
You may have material possessions, but where is your love for others?

You betta rememba, for every picket fence in the suburbs, down the street there's a growin ghetto, on the other side.
We need to remember that for every nice neighborhood, there is a growing poor neighborhood nearby.

And how along the way where did we how did we forget about the children. Maybe that's why we're playin catchup tryna make up for ones we lost over time.
We have forgotten about the children and are now trying to make up for lost time.

??, if a bombshell falls (falls). Then the children, and the laughter, the green pastures would come to an end.
If a disaster occurs, life as we know it will end.

See the choice (choices we make) we make seals our faith (ooh Lord yea). So glad you tuned in.
Our choices determine the fate of our future.

.. Need some time to breathe (yea). We all need time to breathe, get our thoughts together (yea).
We need time to reflect and gather our thoughts.

Who's gonna really care, who's gonna take us there, who's gonna change there ways, who's gonna pay the price, who's gonna change their life, who's gonna takes us there, who's gonna find the path, who's gonna live ??, who's gonna live for us, who's gonna live for love, or the name, or the music ??
Who will be the one to care, lead, change their ways, pay the price, and live for us and our shared values?

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RAHEEM DE VAUGHN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

LadyLuckDC

15y↑3

This is awesome!!!!! Wow I had a moment watching this video......this is one of my favorite songs OF ALL TIME!!!! The video concept is excellent.....GREAT JOB!