40oz
Swum Lyrics
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Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
For what you've got
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene
With the gangster lean ooh ooh ooh
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
You may not have a car at all
But just remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you've got
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
With the Gangster lean
(x3)
In Swum's song "40Oz," the lyrics describe the struggles of not having materialistic possessions and how it can lead to feelings of inadequacy. The specific reference to not driving a "great big cadillac" serves as a symbol of wealth and success, while the mentions of "diamonds in the back" and "gangster whitewalls" further emphasize this point. However, the lyrics also stress the importance of gratitude and perspective, and that material possessions do not define one's worth. The repetition of the line "just be thankful for what you've got" highlights this message and encourages listeners to focus on the positives in their lives rather than comparing themselves to others.
Additionally, the use of the phrase "gangster lean" in the chorus serves as a nod to the hip hop culture and its influence on notions of success and status. The lyrics also suggest that one can still "dig the scene" and feel a sense of belonging even without expensive cars and flashy jewelry. The final repetition of the chorus reinforces the message of gratitude and serves as a call to action for listeners to appreciate what they have.
Line by Line Meaning
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Even if you don't have a luxurious car like a Cadillac,
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
Complete with gangster-style white-wall tires and a TV antenna in the back,
You may not have a car at all
If you don't have a car at all,
But just remember brothers and sisters
Remember, my fellow black people,
You can still stand tall
You can still be confident and empowered,
Just be thankful for what you've got
Just be grateful for what you do have,
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
Just like the famous song “Diamonds In The Back” suggests, dig the scene you're in, even if it's not where you ultimately want to be in life,
With the gangster lean
Maintain your cool and composure,
Though you may not drive a great big cadillac
Again, even if you still don't have a fancy car like a Cadillac,
Gangster whitewalls tv antenna in the back
With those same white-wall tires and TV antenna,
You may not have a car at all
Or you may just not have one at all yet,
But just remember brothers and sisters
But as before, always remember,
You can still stand tall
You can still be proud of yourself and your accomplishments,
Just be thankful for what you've got
Appreciate what you do have and don't worry about what you don't,
Diamonds in the back, sunroof top, diggin the scene
Enjoy the moment and be thankful for each and every blessing no matter how small,
With the Gangster lean
And still stay true to who you are as a person,
(x3)
Contributed by Elliot J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.