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.
World on Wheels
Saul Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So so so intellectual
(3x)
So black and yet so white
He dance like he could fight
He's in this place tonight
He's searching for the light
Can't go where he don't know
He dances on the floor
And some folks come on
So intellectual
So so so intellectual
(4x)
Now, once upon a thug
He whistle while he walked
He walked into a bush
Punctured guts and gush
History!
World on Wheels
Slavery and sex appeals
Drugs and money
Bitch I'm broke
Should have thought before I spoke
So intellectual
So so so intellectual
(4x)
The song "World on Wheels" by Saul Williams discusses the contrasting experiences of a man navigating through the complexities of urban life. The repetition of "so intellectual" throughout the song highlights the pressure to appear intelligent and well-informed in society. The man in the song is black but also white, implying that he struggles with societal pressures of both races. He is a fighter, both on the dance floor and in life as he searches for meaning and understanding. While he recognizes that he has limitations, he continues to dance and take risks, even if it means facing challenges from others.
The second verse describes a thug who whistles while walking, suggesting that he is not worried about the dangers that may lurk around him. However, the thug eventually encounters a violent end, puncturing his guts and causing them to gush. The lyrics then shift to "world on wheels," referencing the ongoing cycle of slavery, sex appeal, drugs, and money plaguing the world. The line "Bitch I'm broke, should have thought before I spoke" shows the consequences of not thinking critically and intelligently about one's life choices.
Line by Line Meaning
So intellectual
The character being described is intelligent and knowledgeable.
So so so intellectual
The repetition emphasizes how intellectual the character is.
So black and yet so white
The character is complex and multi-faceted.
He dance like he could fight
The character is confident and powerful.
He's in this place tonight
The character is present and engaged in the environment.
He's searching for the light
The character is looking for meaning or purpose.
Can't know what he don't know
The character is aware of their limitations and ignorance.
Can't go where he don't know
The character is hesitant to move forward without knowledge or direction.
He dances on the floor
The character is carefree and enjoying themselves.
And some folks come on
Others join in or take notice of the character.
Now, once upon a thug
The story shifts to a new character, who is likely from the streets or has a criminal history.
He whistle while he walked
The character is carefree and confident, possibly despite their circumstances.
He walked into a bush
An unexpected negative event occurs.
Punctured guts and gush
The negative event is violent and bloody.
History!
This line emphasizes the weight and significance of the situation.
World on Wheels
This phrase could indicate the cyclical nature of life, or the constant motion and change of the world.
Slavery and sex appeals
Issues of power and exploitation are at play.
Drugs and money
These are common themes in rap music, and could represent a lack of opportunities or a desire for escape.
Bitch I'm broke
The character is struggling financially.
Should have thought before I spoke
The character may have made a mistake or spoken out of turn, and regrets doing so.
Contributed by Daniel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.