Slow Down
T.I./Wyclef Jean Lyrics
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We cry for peace (uh-huh) but we live for war
(You know I got that chopper in the Chevy, what it is?)
We ain't start the wiretaps, down in Baltimore
(But I'm still slangin' bricks where I live)
Sometimes she love me, sometimes she love me not
(Doin' ten, now my girl turnin' tricks at the crib)
Bullet take out those eyes, when they in the city Chi'
Evil lurks, in the heavenly disguise
(Tryin' to get the root of all evil, 'bout a mill')
I seen two birds, crash into two New York giants
(Bush still lyin', he don't never keep it real)
I wish Katrina spoke French at the Quarter to New Orleans
(Haha, what you'da told her daddy?)
I woulda spoke French back, seduced her stoned (okay)
Told her "Je t'aime!", please don't rain on my people!
Where'd the hope go? Where'd the hope go (I don't know)
I seen the whole world turn into a war zone (what?)
Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right)
Guns 'n Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"
On the flip side (ay) she shakin' her back side (shake it for me)
That's the only way tuition' gon' come right
He got a crush on Mary Jean (ay, ay)
Unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang
(Come on, you know you need to)
Slow doww-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash
(Come on, you know you need to)
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon, got to keep it real hon (Ay ay, you know we used to)
(You know we used to, ay ay ay ay ay) unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash (okay)
If you livin in the street, you know you livin free
(And if you ain't you doin time like me)
Thugs with the heat, are the coldest ones to meet
(And you can catch yourself a case and get a five, do three)
We flyi'n high, but still can't touch the sky
(But on conspiracy you doin' ten at the least)
Everbody's a gangster, but nobody wanna die
(With all this snitchin' you might never see the streets)
Nuclear testin, replacin' the SAT's
(With all this goin' on, why they worried 'bout me?)
Stem cell research, there's another you, another me
(I'm just hustlin' in the streets tryin' to flip a couple ki's)
What goes up must come down, the laws of gravity
(I know I seen it happen to my partner Big Meech)
(We miss you shorty!) To win at chess
You've got to trap the king
Where'd the hope go? Where'd the hope go (I don't know)
I seen the whole world turn into a war zone (what?)
Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right)
Guns 'n Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"
On the flip side (ay) she shakin' her back side (shake it for me)
That's the only way tuition gon' come right
He got a crush on Mary Jean (ay, ay)
Unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon, got to keep it real hon'
Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash
(Come on, you know you need to) Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
(Ay ay, you know we used to) keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash (okay)
E'rybody know we gon' keep rollin' when the police rollin
And your coke dealer told 'em what you doin
Boy you better slow down, ay, ay, slow down, ay
You wanna show 'em that the dope keep comin
But these sheep keep runnin 'they mouth
They'll have you stuntin' jacker comin
Boy you better slow down, ay, ay, e'rytime homeboy
Slow down, start snitchin', ay, ay, homebwoi
Hey I remember get money, all we did was get money
'Til the feds raided the trap and they took my (thang) from me
Put me in a room alone, separated the click from me
Next thing you my lawyer said (my partner snitched on me)
Now ain't that a bitch homey? (They ain't had a thing) on us
Until you started tellin', now they talkin big numbers
We coulda split charges up, missed five or six summers
Instead you tryin to talk, tellin so you can walk
How could you tell 'em who we sold told to? E'rything we bought?
How we used to get in all the way 'til we can ship it off?
(Who woulda thought?) Hey, hey keep it pimpin', wait a minute
(Whoa!) Hey, hey hey keep it pimpin', wait a minute, ay
Where'd the hope go, where'd the hope go
I seen the whole world turn into a war zone (what?)
Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right)
Guns 'n' Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle"
On the flip side (ay) she shaki'n her back side
That's the only way tuition gon' come right
He got a crush on Mary Jean (ay, ay)
Unless you got five on she ain't doin' her thang
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
Keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash
(Come on, you know you need to)
Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
(Ay ay, you know we used to) keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon' (you know we used to, ay ay ay ay ay)
Unless you slow down, somebody gon' crash (c'mon)
I'mma let my guitar do the talkin' now, okay?
T.I./Wyclef Jean's song Slow Down is a powerful commentary on the state of society and the world. The song contains many thought-provoking lyrics that address different themes such as the desire for peace, the existence of evil, the dangers of living in a war zone, and the need for people to slow down and keep it real. The song starts with a countdown, evoking the sense of impending danger or chaos. The lyrics then proceed to highlight the irony of crying for peace while living for war, referring to the increasing trend of violence and conflict in society.
The song touches on various social issues such as wiretaps, drug dealing, and gun violence. It criticizes the lack of love in many cities and the need for people to keep their vests on. At the same time, the lyrics suggest that there is hope if people slow down and keep it real. The song ends with a guitar solo instead of more lyrics, emphasizing the message that sometimes actions speak louder than words.
Overall, T.I./Wyclef Jean's Slow Down is a song that invites listeners to reflect on the state of the world and encourages them to take action towards a more peaceful and loving society.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
Counting down to a moment of significance
We cry for peace (uh-huh) but we live for war
Expressing the irony of desiring peace yet being actively involved in war
(You know I got that chopper in the Chevy, what it is?)
Asking if someone is aware of the dangerous weapon he has in his possession
We ain't start the wiretaps, down in Baltimore
Admitting to illegal activities, but claiming that this particular illegal act wasn't the one he perpetrated
(But I'm still slangin' bricks where I live)
Admitting to being a drug dealer despite also admitting to illegal wiretaps
(Doin' ten, now my girl turnin' tricks at the crib)
Pondering how time in jail is affecting his girlfriend and causing her to resort to prostitution
(Lay it down ASAP or e'rybody gettin' killed)
Urging swift action to prevent impending danger
(Tryin' to get the root of all evil, 'bout a mill')
Expressing the desire to obtain wealth, but at the potential cost of getting involved in immoral activities
(Bush still lyin', he don't never keep it real)
Criticizing the dishonesty of then-president George W. Bush
(Haha, what you'da told her daddy?)
Joking about what kind of conversation he would have with Hurricane Katrina
(Okay) Told her "Je t'aime!", please don't rain on my people!
Speaking in French to Hurricane Katrina, expressing love and a plea for mercy
Where'd the hope go? Where'd the hope go (I don't know)
Expressing despair and confusion regarding the current state of the world
(what?) Ain't no love in the city keep your vest on (that right)
Advising people to protect themselves due to the lack of love and kindness in their city
On the flip side (ay) she shakin' her back side (shake it for me)
Contrasting the harsh realities of the world with the temporary escape of admiring a woman's dancing
(Come on, you know you need to) Slow doww-ow-ow-own, young girl
Encouraging a young woman to slow down before making a mistake
Keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Urging honesty and authenticity
Unless she slow down, somebody gon' crash
Warning that if the young woman doesn't slow down, she will suffer the consequences
(Ay ay, you know we used to)
Nostalgically reflecting on a time when things were simpler
(And if you ain't you doin time like me)
Implying that a life of crime can land you in jail
(And you can catch yourself a case and get a five, do three)
Explaining that getting caught for a crime can result in a five-year jail sentence, with the possibility of getting out in three for good behavior
(But on conspiracy you doin' ten at the least)
Suggesting that if charged with a conspiracy-related crime, one would be sentenced to at least ten years in jail
(With all this snitchin' you might never see the streets)
Referring to the perceived trend of people ratting out their accomplices, thereby preventing the possibility of leaving jail anytime soon
(With all this goin' on, why they worried 'bout me?)
Questioning why law enforcement is focusing on his criminal activities when there are bigger issues to handle
(I'm just hustlin' in the streets tryin' to flip a couple ki's)
Admitting to being involved in drug trafficking to make money
(I know I seen it happen to my partner Big Meech)
Recalling a situation in which a friend fell from a powerful position
(We miss you shorty!)
Expressing sorrow over the loss of a friend
(That's the only way tuition gon' come right)
Implying that the only way to be able to afford education is by participating in illegal activities
(To win at chess, you've got to trap the king)
Using a metaphor to suggest that criminals must outsmart the law enforcement to avoid getting caught
(C'mon, you know you need to) Slow dow-ow-ow-own, young girl
Reiterating the need for the young woman to take a step back and reevaluate her actions
(Ay ay, you know we used to) keep it real hon', got to keep it real hon'
Advising her how to conduct herself
(you know we used to, ay ay ay ay ay)
Harkening back to a time when they were both younger and things seemed simpler
(Come on) I'mma let my guitar do the talkin' now, okay?
Metaphorically handing over the reins to the music to express what he cannot put into words
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEVON GOLDER, LAMONT COLEMAN, JERRY DUPLESSIS, CLIFFORD HARRIS, WYCLEF JEAN, MAURICE TOBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind