Why Can't We Be Friends
Smash Mouth Lyrics
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I seen ya I seen ya I seen ya 'round for a long long time
I really I really I really remember when you drank my wine
Why can't we be friends (4x)
I seen ya I seen ya I seen ya walkin' down in Chinatown
I called ya I called ya I called but you did not look around
I pay my I pay my I pay my money to the welfare line
I seen ya I seen ya I seen ya standing in it everytime
Why can't we be friends (4x)
The color the color the color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as as long as long as we can live in harmony
I kinda I kinda I kinda like to be the president
And I could and I could and I could show you how your money's spent
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Sometimes I don't speak right
But did I know what I was talking about
I know you're working for the CIA
They wouldn't have you in the mafia
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
Why can't we be friends (4x)
The song Why Can't We Be Friends by Smash Mouth is a cover of the original song of the same name by the band War. The song explores the question of why people can't just get along despite their differences. In the lyrics, the singer recalls seeing the person he's addressing around for a long time, and remembers sharing wine with them. He then talks about seeing them in Chinatown but they didn't look around when he called. The singer then mentions paying his money to the welfare line, and seeing the other person standing in it every time. The song goes on to talk about how differences in skin color don't matter as long as people can live in harmony, and how the singer would like to be the president to show how money is spent.
The final verse addresses some unclear talk between the two, but the singer claims he knows what he's talking about even if he sometimes doesn't speak well. He then adds that he knows the person works for the CIA, but that it's a good thing he's not in the mafia. Through the song, the singer expresses a desire for people to put their differences aside and just be friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Why can't we be friends
Questioning why two people can't just be friends and get along
I seen ya I seen ya I seen ya 'round for a long long time
Noticing that they have known each other for a while and have been in each other's lives
I really I really I really remember when you drank my wine
Recalling a past memory where the other person drank their wine
I seen ya I seen ya I seen ya walkin' down in Chinatown
Observing the other person walking in a specific area of town
I called ya I called ya I called but you did not look around
Trying to get the other person's attention but they weren't paying attention
I pay my I pay my I pay my money to the welfare line
Sharing that they have financial struggles and need to rely on welfare assistance
I seen ya I seen ya I seen ya standing in it everytime
Noticing the other person is also needing welfare assistance
The color the color the color of your skin don't matter to me
Expressing that race is not a factor in their ability to be friends
As long as as long as long as we can live in harmony
Stating that they can be friends as long as they live peacefully with one another
I kinda I kinda I kinda like to be the president
Jokingly expressing their desire to be the president
And I could and I could and I could show you how your money's spent
Saying that if they were president, they would make sure to use money transparently
Sometimes I don't speak right
Admitting that they may not always articulate their thoughts well
But did I know what I was talking about
Asserting that despite difficulties in communication, they have a valid point
I know you're working for the CIA
Making a joke that the other person may be a spy
They wouldn't have you in the mafia
Continuing the joke and saying that the other person likely isn't involved in organized crime either
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Charles Miller, Gerald Goldstein, Harold Brown, Howard Scott, Lee Levitin, Lonnie Jordan, Morris Dickerson, Thomas Allen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pedrocampos691
Alex The Lion as Manny The Mammoth
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Adult Tarzan as Diego
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Star as Zeke
Vemon as Oscar
Kai as Lenny
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@benh-d8733
RIP Steve, you were an amazing singer and a big inspiration to a lot of people. Smash Mouth was an amazing part of my childhood. Smash Mouth is the band that got me into ska punk. You will be missed, bro!🙏❤️
@kbleo90
Glad to see I'm not the only one remembering his music! R.i.p peace steve.
@latchflex838
He was an amazing singer, but to be fair he DID tell someone he'd kill his family and also put up the nazi salute. He was a good man for the majority of his life though, I'll give him that.
@luispeiro8492
🙏❤
@El_Papu_Grasa
😞 me cuesta creer que Steve Harwell se ha ido, me inspiro a ser músico y ahora siento que no soy nada
@Gandhilios
There is no fucking way he died you I didn’t even know😢😭
@ericastevens614
At first I thought I'd never heard this song before
But then I saw her face
@ilariabenzia4525
get out
@pablohoney5209
now I'm a believer
@doubletap2.036
+Ilaria Benzia lol