Williams has published four books of poetry: "The Seventh Octave", "S/he", ",said the shotgun to the head." and "The Dead Emcee Scrolls"; and released six albums: Amethyst Rock Star, the self titled Saul Williams, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation Of Niggy Tardust, Volcanic Sunlight, MartyrLoserKing and most recently, Encrypted & Vulnerable.
Niggy Tardust
Saul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ladies and gentlemen, it's with the greatest pleasure that I present, niggy tardust.
Verse 1:
Niggy tardust
Grippo king, philosopher, and artist
Downright to the marrow
Sunlight in the afternoon his shadow travels furthest
Woven through the heart of doom he's bursting through the surface
Hardly nervous,
Suffice to say he understands his purpose
Threshold king of everything, a comical absurdist
Sometimes when he talks he sings yet keeps his high notes wordless
Sing along when niggy sings, without you he'd be worthless
Homeless, earthless
Venus heart and tied(? ) up in the circus
Freakshow hear him speak so properly cuz every word is
Measured against meaning probably skeeming to unlearn us
Don't you call him by his name, white people call him Curtis
Chorus:
When I say niggy you say nothing
Niggy
Niggy
When I say niggy you say nothing
Niggy
"Nothing"
Shut up
[x2]
The song "Niggy Tardust" by Saul Williams is a tribute to a fictional character named Niggy Tardust, who is an artist, philosopher, and king of the threshold. The song describes his unique personality and his significance in the world. The lyrics talk about how Niggy is the arrow through the heartless, spreading light even in the darkest of times. He is bursting through the surface of his limitations and understanding his purpose in life. Although he is an absurdist, he still manages to make sense when he talks about the meaning of life. Niggy's words are measured against meaning, and he uses his gift to bring positive changes in the world.
The chorus of the song has a repetitive call and response, where the word "niggy" is repeated, but no response is given. This is a commentary on how the word "niggy" is used in society in different contexts, and how it is often used negatively. Williams wants the listeners to focus on the positivity of Niggy Tardust, and not let the negativity surrounding the word "niggy" overshadow his character.
Overall, "Niggy Tardust" is a song about a fictional character who represents positivity, creativity, and purpose. The lyrics explore his unique personality and how he uses his gift to inspire others and make a difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggy tardust
Introducing an individual named Niggy Tardust, who is a multifaceted person with intellectual, artistic, and leadership qualities
Grippo king, philosopher, and artist
Niggy Tardust is a king of creativity, an expert in philosophy, and an accomplished artist
Downright to the marrow
He is fully invested and committed to his beliefs and values at a very personal level
He's the arrow through the heartless
His sharp and acute perspective cuts through the apathy and indifference of society
Sunlight in the afternoon his shadow travels furthest
Niggy Tardust stands out and shines even more in the brightest and most challenging moments of the day
Woven through the heart of doom he's bursting through the surface
He has an unwavering determination to overcome adversity and despair
Hardly nervous,
He is confident and self-assured
Suffice to say he understands his purpose
He has a clear understanding of his goals and motivations
Threshold king of everything, a comical absurdist
Niggy Tardust is a humorous but surrealistic leader who can surpass any limit
Sometimes when he talks he sings yet keeps his high notes wordless
He has a poetic way of communicating his ideas, using music, tone, and silence to convey his message
Sing along when niggy sings, without you he'd be worthless
Niggy Tardust's art is a collective experience that requires the participation of his audience and followers to have meaning and impact
Homeless, earthless
He might feel uprooted and disconnected from his roots and sense of belonging
Venus heart and tied(? ) up in the circus
He has a powerful love and passion that can both inspire and constrain him
Freakshow hear him speak so properly cuz every word is
Even when he is perceived as an outsider or deviant, his eloquence and clarity make him stand out
Measured against meaning probably skeeming to unlearn us
He challenges the conventional ideas and assumptions of society and invites them to explore new perspectives and realities
Don't you call him by his name, white people call him Curtis
He rejects the derogatory and racist use of the N-word while acknowledging the privilege and power dynamics of the dominant culture
When I say niggy you say nothing
The chorus highlights the taboo and sensitive nature of the N-word and encourages listeners to pause and reflect on its history, meaning, and impact
Niggy
Niggy
When I say niggy you say nothing
Niggy
"Nothing"
Shut up
The repeated command reflects the intensity and urgency of the message while also challenging the stereotypes and expectations of the listener
[x2]
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.