-Pitchfork
TALK TO ME
Run the Jewels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a gun and a knife in our waistband
Went to war with the Devil and Shaytan
He wore a bad toupee and a spray tan
So high now, hoping that I land
On a Thai stick, moving through Thailand
On the radio, heard a plane hijack
Government be in debt while they cook crack
Obey no rules, I'm doing me
Smoke kush, transport to the airport
Customs found a joint in my passport
Pull cash and I gave him what he asked for
Goddammit, it's a motherfucking miracle
Small bribe, made it back into America
Hit Uber and maneuvered out the area
Rhyme animal, pitbull terrier
Rap terrorist, terrorize, tear it up
Brought gas and the matches to flare it up
Militant Michael might go psycho
On any ally or rival
Born Black, that's dead on arrival
My job is to fight for survival
In spite of these AllLivesMatter-ass white folk
This is spiritual warfare that you have been dealing with.
This is not a fight that you have been dealing with flesh and blood
But this is a fight against principalities and evil doers and unclean spirits
(RTJ3 motherfuckers)
Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam muck so I could not style on you
I didn't walk uphill both ways to the booth and back to not wild on you
You think baby Jesus killed Hitler just so I'd whisper?
When you're safe and sound and these crooks tap your phone and now have a file on you?
What, me worry? Nah, buddy, I've lost before, so what?
You don't get it, I'm dirt, motherfucker, I can't be crushed
Fuckers, open the books up and stop bullshitting the kid
My dick got a Michelin star, I'm on par with the best ever took the gig
I'm a super cat, from don dada to dusk, don't bother to touch
I got firm clutch on the grip and the bucks
I might ghost ride a tank, take a ride to the bank
I'm the son of Rick Rubin rushing full-thrust
Don't flash weak shit to the Shark Tank judge
Talk real good 'cause I'm smart and stuff
We a good crew to fuck with, better to love
I told y'all suckers, I told y'all suckers.
I told y'all on RTJ1, then I told ya again on RTJ2, and you still ain't believe me.
So here we go, RTJ3
Talk to me
(RTJ)
Talk to me
The first verse of "Talk to Me" by Run the Jewels is a portrayal of a dystopian world where the government is in debt, the citizens are under surveillance, and corruption is rampant. The duo, Killer Mike and El-P, declare that they move in a world of conspiracies and abide by no rules but their own. They talk about smuggling kush to the airport, bribing a customs officer to enter America illegally, and bashing white folks who proclaim AllLivesMatter without understanding the sufferings of black people. They boast about their strength and resilience, proclaiming that they’re rap terrorists who are here to terrorize and tear the system apart.
The second verse is more introspective, as Killer Mike and El-P explain that they did not come this far in the rap game to not speak their minds. They believe their voices are essential to fight against the evils in the world, even if it means putting themselves at risk of being monitored and hunted by the authorities. They assert that they cannot be crushed, as they are dirt and will rise back from their ashes. They end the song with a confident challenge to the audience, urging them to engage in dialogues with them to understand their perspective.
Line by Line Meaning
We return from the depths of the badland
We have come back unscathed from dark, hostile places.
With a gun and a knife in our waistband
We are always prepared to defend ourselves.
Went to war with the Devil and Shaytan
We have experienced and overcome evil.
He wore a bad toupee and a spray tan
Our opponents are often unnatural and untrue to themselves.
So high now, hoping that I land
We are confident and daring, but still vulnerable.
On a Thai stick, moving through Thailand
We are constantly on the move, experiencing new things.
On the radio, heard a plane hijack
We are aware of the chaos and danger in the world around us.
Government be in debt while they cook crack
Corruption and disregard for the people is rampant in those who are supposed to lead.
I move in a world of conspiracies
We are aware of the machinations and secrets that govern the world we live in.
Obey no rules, I'm doing me
We are independent thinkers who refuse to be constrained by societal norms.
Smoke kush, transport to the airport
We are not afraid to partake in illicit activities and take risks.
Customs found a joint in my passport
We are not afraid to be caught and face the consequences of our actions.
Pull cash and I gave him what he asked for
We have the resources to bribe our way out of trouble.
Goddammit, it's a motherfucking miracle
We are constantly defying the odds and coming out on top.
Small bribe, made it back into America
We are resourceful and able to navigate difficult situations.
Hit Uber and maneuvered out the area
We are nimble and able to escape danger quickly.
Rhyme animal, pitbull terrier
We are fierce and relentless in our pursuit of greatness.
Rap terrorist, terrorize, tear it up
Our art is disruptive and radical, challenging norms and provoking thought.
Brought gas and the matches to flare it up
We are willing to use our words to incite change and spark rebellion.
Militant Michael might go psycho
We are powerful and capable of causing chaos if pushed too far.
On any ally or rival
We are not afraid to challenge or confront those who oppose us.
Born Black, that's dead on arrival
We recognize the bias and racism that exist in society and refuse to be held back by it.
My job is to fight for survival
Our mission is to resist oppression and thrive in spite of it.
In spite of these AllLivesMatter-ass white folk
We reject the sentiment that all lives matter equally in a system that consistently devalues and oppresses certain groups.
Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam muck so I could not style on you
We honor those who have fought and died for our right to speak out and express ourselves.
I didn't walk uphill both ways to the booth and back to not wild on you
We have worked tirelessly to hone our craft and create art that challenges and electrifies.
You think baby Jesus killed Hitler just so I'd whisper?
We refuse to be silenced or muted in the face of injustice and oppression.
When you're safe and sound and these crooks tap your phone and now have a file on you?
We are aware that our liberties and privacy are being compromised, even when we aren't actively resisting.
What, me worry? Nah, buddy, I've lost before, so what?
We are not afraid of failure, and recognize that sometimes the struggle is more important than the outcome.
You don't get it, I'm dirt, motherfucker, I can't be crushed
We are resilient and refuse to be broken by the obstacles and challenges we face.
Fuckers, open the books up and stop bullshitting the kid
We demand transparency and honesty from those who hold power and make decisions that affect us all.
My dick got a Michelin star, I'm on par with the best ever took the gig
We are confident in our abilities and unafraid of measuring ourselves against the greatest in our field.
I'm a super cat, from don dada to dusk, don't bother to touch
We are untouchable and powerful, commanding respect and admiration from all around us.
I got firm clutch on the grip and the bucks
We have control and power over our own destiny and resources.
I might ghost ride a tank, take a ride to the bank
We are fearless and unafraid to take risks and push boundaries in our art and our lives.
I'm the son of Rick Rubin rushing full-thrust
We are influenced and inspired by the greats who have come before us, and honor their legacy with our work.
Don't flash weak shit to the Shark Tank judge
We are confident and unafraid, and refuse to bow down to the powers that be.
Talk real good 'cause I'm smart and stuff
We are intelligent and articulate, and use our words and ideas to inspire and effect change.
We a good crew to fuck with, better to love
We are a force to be reckoned with, and those who stand with us are on the right side of history.
I told y'all suckers, I told y'all suckers.
We have been warning and challenging those who would try to keep us down for years.
I told y'all on RTJ1, then I told ya again on RTJ2, and you still ain't believe me.
We have been consistent and uncompromising in our message and our art, but some still refuse to listen.
So here we go, RTJ3
We continue to push forward and create, unafraid and unrelenting.
Talk to me
We are ready to start the conversation and fight for what's right.
(RTJ)
This is Run The Jewels.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: ALAN EDWARD WALLER, JAIME MELINE, MICHAEL SANTIGO RENDER, PHILIP ARTHUR DENNIS MAY, TORBITT CASTLEMAN SCHWARTZ, WILDER ZOBY SCHWARTZ, Composer Unknown, Michael Render, Torbitt Schwartz, WILDER SCHWARTZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AnthonyFoxDavies007
@@r.l.9797 So, this line and those directly before it are:
> Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam muck so I could not style on you
> I didn't walk uphill both ways to the booth and back to not wile on you
> You think baby Jesus killed Hitler just so I'd whisper?
The whole thing is a combination play on both, the right wing mainstream opinion that freedom of speech is king and all vet stories and war being likened to Vietnam. Therefor vets died for freedom of speech inc rap.
Also, the final words in the first two lines are "style" and "wile" which is a common rap comment about beating other rappers.
The second line is about voting ("the booth") combined with another right wing mainstream opinion that people used to "walk uphill both ways" meaning they had to struggle for everything.
Finally, and to top it all off, EL-P is joking that when right wing christians talk about jesus they seem to talk in terms of adult, baby etc as one. Therefore the idea that ANY form of Jesus accomplishing something is to say that "baby Jesus" also accomplished that thing (which just becomes such a funny visual gag!).
Hitler is also widely considered such a figure of evil it is a straight black and white comparison where baby jesus = good and hitler = bad.
Put it all together and he is poking run at the right, the christians and those who conflate ideas of good and bad without nuance, all while mentioning freedom of speech and how bad ass a rapper he is.
The man's fucking awesome.
@IAMVICE
@@r.l.9797 I gotchu, I'll break this one down for the folks not culturally in the loop.
Disclaimer: This what I believe what El-P means, I am no authority.
/ Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam mud so I could not style on you /
/ I didn't walk uphill both ways to the booth and back to not wile on you /
/ You think baby Jesus killed Hitler just so I'd whisper? /
/ Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam mud so I could not style on you /
It's common sentiment in the US, as I believe it is most anywhere, to honor military veterans, especially those who do not make it home alive. Those men and women joined, fought, and died in combat defending their country because by-and-large, they loved what it stood for. So to not take advantage of our full rights as American citizens, that these people fought and died protecting, would be, in a way, disrespectful to the sacrifice they (in most cases voluntarily) made.
/ I didn't walk uphill both ways to the booth and back to not wile on you /
There's a bit of a meme in American culture about older generations thinking and telling younger generations "you kids nowadays have it so much easier than MY generation did"
Personally I don't know where the original script or joke comes from, but it's something to the effect of a younger person complaining about having to walk to a school bus stop in the snow. The elderly man replies something like "You kids have it so easy. Back in my day, we didn't even have school buses! When it snowed, I had to WALK to school! Uphill! Both ways!" the joke being that traveling uphill between two set destinations is either entirely unnecessary or impossible.
So this line becomes a self-deprecating joke by El-P portraying himself as an 'old man' of rap, essentially taunting a younger generation of rappers
/ You think baby Jesus killed Hitler just so I'd whisper? /
Christianity is the most popular religion in the US, of which Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah (savior). In a very, very, short summation, after preaching his sermons and recruiting disciples and followers of god, a 30-something year old Jesus was betrayed by a follower and allowed himself to be captured by the Romans who tortured him and essentially executed him. After 3 days Jesus did some righteous zombie shit and rose from the dead, informing his followers that he sacrificed himself on purpose to cleanse humanity of its sin, and in return, he just wanted his disciples to preach the gospel of Big Homie (god) and tell others of his sacrifice. Devout Christians believe every single happening in every person's lives are god's will and/or thanks to Jesus' sacrifice, especially things that can be seen as beneficial for the collective good, of which Hitler's death would be a prime example.
The 'baby' part of the baby Jesus line refers to a meme surrounding the 2006 comedy movie 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, which has a scene with Ferrell's character praying over a family meal where he continues to refer to 'baby Jesus'. It become a popular meme for a time, and with El-P's sense of humor, it's not surprising to see a reference. Also, baby is a two syllable word and he might have just needed another two syllables to make the bar work.
@zomb60
this sound is fucking brilliant. this is what mainstream hip hop sounds like in my alternate universe.
@drig509
I live there too!
@kirby118
I hope we all do one day
@jeff7764
Daniel Rigler me too buddy!
@ragingemily
YES!!!
@bennejame7854
I wish this was the standard for mainstream hip hop, banger beats that don't all sound the same, coupled with dope lyrics
@CowboysCrusaderTTC
One of the 50 best songs of the 21st century for absolute sure.
I'd go so far as to call this an instant classic.
@midnightok3er
really? great group but its a bleh track
@sloam1234
"Brave men didn't die face down in the Vietnam muck so I could not style on you."
The line that stuck with me the most. So fucking true.
@hasanpiker9472
Yeah, and “you think baby Jesus killed hitler just so I’d whisper?” Lol