In 1998, Mos Def and Talib Kweli released the album "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star". The LP featured several Hi-Tek beats, and marked the critical breakthrough of all three artists involved.
In 2000, the now-classic debut LP "Train of Thought" hit the stores. The 20 track album featured, among others, De La Soul, Kool G Rap and Xzibit, and received much critical acclaim. It is a very soulful, jazzy and intelligent album, combining a wide variety of lyrical topics, moods and beats.
Following "Train of Thought", both Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek moved on to successful solo-careers. The second Reflection Eternal album, Revolutions per Minute, was released on May 18, 2010.
Got Work
Reflection Eternal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll treat you right (yeah, yeah)
I love you, baby (yeah, yeah)
I'll treat you right (yeah, yeah)
I got work for you
(Give it to me, girl)
I got work for you
(Give it, huh)
(Give it to me, girl)
I got work for you
Ignore the amateurs
You're rolling with the glamorous
See all the clamor for the lights and the cameras?
They get scared when the glances turn amorous
Exposed to the heat, they go yellow like an amethyst
Used to be purple like the cannabis from welts and the bruises
Used to scream "help"; it was useless
Escaped into the night with her life intact
A betrayal she described as a knife in the back
Stone-cold killer--you'd probably shudder
At the amount of blood flowing through the Hollywood gutter
All because of the appetite for dreams that will eat you up inside
She on your mind, probably keep you up at night
Fifteen minutes--that's all she really need
Director yell "cut" and we see how you really bleed
Stay in the game, stay in the frame, say her name: Fame, Fame
[Chorus]
I love you, baby
(Skip the foreplay)
I'll treat you right
(That's what they all say)
I love you, baby
(Skip the foreplay)
I'll treat you right (yeah)
I got work for you
(Give it to me, girl)
I got work for you
(Give it, huh)
I got work for you
(Give it to me, girl)
I got work for you
She's so fleeting, she's so deceiving, she's so misleading
She cut 'em open and bleeding; she got 'em overeating
She's so hot, soda pop; she's overheating
Her gun--American; her favorite rum--Puerto Rican
She's like a monkey on your back 'till you start to crack
She'll make you famous like the stars of "Strapped"
The heart of the fact, to swallow that, she got a target on your back
Follow you until you drown in the sea of your sorrow
You overdose, she got you over, she got the potion
It's not a joke how she got 'em hoping--they should've tried the coke (?)
And everything designer from the kind of drugs she do
To the attitude when she get tired of loving you
I hear them swear they don't need her and throw dirt on her name
I'm out for the fortune; fuck Fame
I hear them swear they don't need her and throw dirt on her name
I'm out for the fortune; fuck Fame
[Chorus]
The mother cried the butterfly was a caterpillar
Before he fell in love with Fame 'cause he had to feel her
The model--hot; she swallowed shots, straight Tequila
The bottles pop; she love you, but can't wait to kill you
She lurking in the bushes--she the paparazzi
Her sex drive--way faster than a Maserati
Every relationship is work; this is not a hobby
She make you famous like Beyonce; then she got your body
How she grimy like a project lobby
But still snooty, pack Louis Vuitton and act bourgey
She like a ghost 'cause I shudder when she pass through me
She yell "cut" and you stop acting; it's your last movie
She got you in the gym, she got you in the spa
Staring at the man in the mirror wondering who you are
You're a superstar till she pass on you
Take a picture; it will last longer (word)
[Chorus]
I love you, baby
I love you, baby
I'll treat you right
I got work for you
I got work for you
I got work for you
I got work for you
The song "Got Work" by Reflection Eternal, featuring Res, is a commentary on the insidious nature of fame in Hollywood. The opening lyrics, “I love you, baby/I'll treat you right,” are a often-used pick-up line to woo someone; however, in this song, it is used to represent the seductive and dangerous nature of fame. The song contrasts the idea of being successful in Hollywood with the need to stay true to oneself and not fall victim to the lure of fame.
The lyrics suggest that those who are "rolling with the glamorous" and chasing the limelight are just amateurs who don't understand the darker side of fame. The song warns us to steer clear of the temptations that come with fame, to avoid being swallowed up by it. The idea of having "work" for someone is a metaphorical representation of Hollywood's hold on actors, singers, and other celebrities.
In the second verse, the lyrics refer to Hollywood's brutal treatment of young actresses and models who are just starting out and trying to make a name for themselves. The music industry treats these women as disposable objects to be used up and thrown away once they are no longer useful. The song suggests that in the pursuit of fame, people lose themselves and sometimes their sanity, leaving a trail of broken dreams and betrayed trust.
Line by Line Meaning
I love you, baby (yeah, yeah)
Expressing affection towards someone.
I'll treat you right (yeah, yeah)
Committed to treating someone well.
I got work for you
Offering a job or opportunity to someone.
Ignore the amateurs
Suggesting to overlook unskilled or inexperienced people.
You're rolling with the glamorous
Associating with stylish and successful people.
See all the clamor for the lights and the cameras?
Noticing the attention-seeking behavior towards fame and fortune.
They get scared when the glances turn amorous
Feeling uncomfortable when receiving romantic attention.
Exposed to the heat, they go yellow like an amethyst
Becoming fearful and indecisive under pressure.
Used to be purple like the cannabis from welts and the bruises
Referencing the physical harm inflicted by the entertainment industry.
Used to scream "help"; it was useless
Feeling powerless and unheard when seeking assistance.
Escaped into the night with her life intact
Successfully leaving a dangerous or oppressive situation unharmed.
A betrayal she described as a knife in the back
Experiencing a severe and unexpected act of disloyalty.
Stone-cold killer--you'd probably shudder
Describing someone who is ruthless and frightening.
At the amount of blood flowing through the Hollywood gutter
Metaphorically referencing the corruption and destruction present in the entertainment industry.
All because of the appetite for dreams that will eat you up inside
Highlighting the toxic nature of pursuing fame and success.
She on your mind, probably keep you up at night
Having thoughts and worries about the dangers of the entertainment industry.
Fifteen minutes--that's all she really need
Referring to the limited and temporary success achieved through fame.
Director yell "cut" and we see how you really bleed
Experiencing the harsh reality and consequences of the entertainment industry.
Stay in the game, stay in the frame, say her name: Fame, Fame
Encouraging the pursuit of fame despite the negative aspects.
She's so fleeting, she's so deceiving, she's so misleading
Portraying the dangerous and unpredictable nature of Fame.
She cut 'em open and bleeding; she got 'em overeating
Causing physical and emotional harm while also causing an addiction or obsession with fame.
She's so hot, soda pop; she's overheating
Being overly attractive and desirable but also being dangerous and destructive.
Her gun--American; her favorite rum--Puerto Rican
Referencing the destructive nature of the entertainment industry and its influence on society.
She's like a monkey on your back 'till you start to crack
Being a burden or addiction that can cause mental and physical breakdown.
She'll make you famous like the stars of "Strapped"
Promising to offer fame and success similar to other celebrities.
The heart of the fact, to swallow that, she got a target on your back
Realizing the dangers and risks associated with pursuing fame.
Follow you until you drown in the sea of your sorrow
Continuing to haunt or harm someone until it causes significant emotional damage.
You overdose, she got you over, she got the potion
Causing someone to become intoxicated or addicted to the pursuit of fame.
It's not a joke how she got 'em hoping--they should've tried the coke (?)
Commenting on the extreme and dangerous measures taken by some to achieve fame.
And everything designer from the kind of drugs she do
Highlighting the luxurious and dangerous lifestyle that fame can bring.
To the attitude when she get tired of loving you
Referencing the fickle and unpredictable nature of fame and relationships in the entertainment industry.
I hear them swear they don't need her and throw dirt on her name
Acknowledging that many are aware of the dangers of fame and success.
I'm out for the fortune; fuck Fame
Choosing to pursue wealth and success instead of fame.
The mother cried the butterfly was a caterpillar
Referencing the positive and transformative experience of growth and change.
Before he fell in love with Fame 'cause he had to feel her
Explaining how some may become addicted to the excitement of fame.
The model--hot; she swallowed shots, straight Tequila
Referencing the substance abuse and addiction present in the entertainment industry.
The bottles pop; she love you, but can't wait to kill you
Showing how someone can be both attracted to and destructive towards someone at the same time.
She lurking in the bushes--she the paparazzi
Commenting on the invasive and harmful nature of the media and paparazzi in the entertainment industry.
Her sex drive--way faster than a Maserati
Describing a high level of sexual desire and activity.
Every relationship is work; this is not a hobby
Recognizing the effort required to maintain a relationship in the entertainment industry.
She make you famous like Beyonce; then she got your body
Promising fame and success but also taking advantage of and objectifying someone's physical appearance.
How she grimy like a project lobby
Comparing the unsavory and dangerous nature of fame to a rough and unsafe area.
But still snooty, pack Louis Vuitton and act bourgey
Describing the luxurious and expensive lifestyle that comes with fame and success.
She like a ghost 'cause I shudder when she pass through me
Being afraid or uncomfortable when encountering the negative aspects of fame.
She yell "cut" and you stop acting; it's your last movie
Commenting on the potentially devastating effects of the entertainment industry on one's life.
She got you in the gym, she got you in the spa
Requiring someone to maintain a certain level of physical appearance and fitness to maintain their fame.
Staring at the man in the mirror wondering who you are
Questioning one's sense of identity and purpose in the entertainment industry.
You're a superstar till she pass on you
Temporarily achieving fame and success until it inevitably fades away.
Take a picture; it will last longer (word)
Suggesting that the temporary nature of fame can be captured through photographs.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TALIB KWELI, TONY COTTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind