Do The Right Thing
Spike Lee Lyrics

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Introduction for the song

Hip hop nation, this is Spiz-ike Lee
Announcement of Spike Lee's presence in the song

Been sleepin' for too long, wake up
Encouragement to wake up from a metaphorical sleep

I see the sunshine gazing through the window pane (yeah)
Description of the awakening and reawakening process

Blazin' like indo flame, it's to wake up! Come to yo' senses manye
Further description of awakening and realization

Snow is all around you, but you don't play in the winter games!
Metaphor that means that there are opportunities around, but you are not taking advantage of them

Cartridges surround you, but you ain't playin' Nintendo games!
Metaphor that means that there are dangers surrounding you, but you are not taking them seriously

Load 'em up and fill 'em up, to the top before you cock and aim
Instruction on how to properly handle weapons

Tryna get from the bottom to the top like the stock exchange
Desire to reach financial success

Shower, shit and shave and hit the corner for a block exchange
Routine of drug dealers, implying the consequences of wrong paths

Amazing what my people'll do for some pocket change
Exploration of the dangers of criminal activity

But maybe this ain't the life that you chose (chose)
Explanation that you don't have to lead a life of crime

This is the life where you stay strapped and pack a knife or end up with a blooded nose
Reality of life in dangerous environments

Street survivor or survivor of the streets! (streets!)
Choice of becoming either a victim of street violence or a survivor who thrives in difficult circumstances

And only the strong survive, there's no survival for the weak! (weak!)
Discussion of the importance of strength and resilience

Catch a sneak peak of death if you ain't on ya P's and Q's
Being alert and aware of surroundings

They carry banana clips and niggas'll peel you for ya shoes
Exploration of the extreme violence in some environments

It's the blues, but not on Hill Street, you could call it "kill or be killed" street
Reference to a TV show and how it does not accurately represent reality

"Lost a pint of blood, let it spill" street
Further exploration of the violence present on dangerous streets

Stop and wake up!
Command to wake up and become conscious of the realities of life

They say my folks'll do whatever for the fortune and the fame
Criticism of those who will do anything for success

And it'll take a fortune to get rid of all the pain, but I'm sayin'
Exploration of the difficulties of achieving success

Use your brain homie, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Instruction to think carefully and make the right choices

You say the only family that you got is in a gang
Description of the feeling of belonging and identity that comes with being in a gang

And the only way to make it is by sellin cocaine, but I'm sayin'
Criticism of criminal activity

I've been in his ear since we were drinkin' beers
Discussion of the importance of being a positive influence on friends

Years we've spent together, used to break up get-togethers
Description of the destructive behavior that was common in the past

With a fight every night gettin' cheddar, movin white
Exploration of the past activities that led to trouble

Our thang, so we had to "Do it Right" like Spike
Reference to Spike Lee's movie and its message of doing the right thing

Holdin 40s, gettin' green on acres, these broads were our mules
Discussion of the illegal activities from the past

That's when we used to serve in front of Com'wealth School
Further discussion of the past illegal activities

Fuel for cars and jewels, chains and tools
Description of the materialistic desires that motivated the past criminal activity

It was organized crime but we remained confused
Confusion about the nature of the activities

Mom in the pews, singin', "Lord, protect 'em"
Religious belief and hope

You might not a-gree with our views, but you had to respect 'em
Discussion of differing perspectives

Diamonds in the rough, but were we reflectin'
Question of the significance of past actions

A system that's abrupt, the streets under pressure
Discussion of flawed systems and their effects

One morning in the mirror, I seen my reflection
Moment of self-reflection and realization

A young man with good spirits but needed direction
Description of a youth in need of guidance

I guess my man's death was my resurrection
Commentary on how death can bring new life

'Cause now I hear him sayin' from heaven, "Wake up!
Reference to the message of the song and the importance of being awake

I woke up this morning and got a call
Introduction of a new situation

My partner said he had news about a girl named Baby Doll
Introduction of a character

She got four baby daddies, four kids by four different men
Description of a character's chaotic personal life

And she just found out she's pregnant, I said, "No, not again!"
Commentary on the character's situation

Man, when she gonna learn she don't wanna spend her life in court?
Reflection on the negative consequences of poor choices

Lookin' for back payments and fightin' for that child supports
Description of the character's ongoing legal issues

Chasin' checks, chasin' her ounce of respect, chasin paper
Discussion of the character's lifestyle and motivations

Chasin' entertainers or rappers and ballplayers
Further description of the character's choices

Not carin about a condom, I say, "Help her Lord, please"
Commentary on the importance of safe sex and making healthier choices

'Fore she stuck wit mo' babies or ends up fightin some disease
Discussion of the character's potential negative outcomes

You know that you a momma, and, mommas, we can't lose ya (no!)
Importance of mothers and keeping them healthy

Treat yourself better, you carry seeds to the future (who!)
Commentary on the importance of proper self-care and its effect on future generations

And the future looks dim if we don't get ourselves together
Realization of the importance of changing for the better

We gotta sacrifice, some do whatver for the cheddar
Discussion of the importance of making difficult choices for a better future

So make the right decisions 'til you ready to give birth
Advice to focus on the right choices for a better future

And know that you the most precious gift we have on this earth
Importance of recognizing the value of women and mothers

Babies, stop and wake up
Command to young people to become conscious and aware

Use your brain baby, do the right thang! (Lemme talk to 'em)
Advice to young people to think before making choices

You say the only family but it's hard without a man
Commentary on the importance of family

And the only way to make it get him for his chains but I'm sayin'
Criticism of violence and harmful choices

Wake up, wake up
Repeat of the song's refrain and its importance

It's a new day! Come on brothers, wake up
Call to action for a better future

Come on sisters, wake up
Call to action for a better future for women

ATL, wake up, wake up, baby
Specific call to attention for those living in Atlanta

Chi-Town, wake up wake up
Specific call to attention for those living in Chicago

Brooklyn's in the house!
Reference to the artist's hometown

Wake up, Brooklyn!
Another call to attention for Brooklyn residents

Ludacris! Common Sense and ME, Spike Lee!
Introduction of other artists involved in the creation of the song, including Spike Lee

Always do the right thing
Reference to the message of the movie "Do the Right Thing" and the importance of making the right choices

I got it, I'm gone
Conclusion of the song