Here We Go
Talib Kweli Lyrics


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Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?
Nowhere to turn, nowhere to run and there's nothin new
Where do we go for inspiration?
It's like pain is our only inspiration
Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?
Nowhere to turn, nowhere to run and there's nothin new
Where do we go for inspiration?
It's like pain is our only inspiration

Yea, I see a place where little boys and girls
Are shells in the oceans not knowin they a pearl
No one to hold 'em while they growin
They livin' moment to moment without a care in the whole world
Now, if I could help it I tell it just like it is
And I may say some things that you don't like to hear
I know this: that people lie, people kneel
People die, people heal, people steal, and people shed tears
What's real, blood spills, gun kill, the sun still, rise
Above me, trust me, it must be, morning, time
Wake up, the stakes up
Everybody want the cake up, to break up with the crew
But when the karma come back for what you do
It's too late to make up, some excuse

Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?
Nowhere to turn, nowhere to run and there's nothin new
Where do we go for inspiration?
It's like pain is our only inspiration
Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?
Nowhere to turn, nowhere to run and there's nothin new
Where do we go for inspiration?
It's like pain is our only inspiration

I come from people who stronger than time and space
Wherever there's competition you gonna find the race
I find a place in my heart for this hip-hop
And pump blood through my vein my skin get hot
I take you very serious and make you write more
If I don't celebrate I got nothing to fight for
I'm tight raw, excite y'all like nightfall
I'm tight y'all, I walk the street like y'all
About action, talk is cheap, right y'all?
You start yappin' think about the beef you might cause
The trouble you could get into
You don't study, you not prepared and cats is testin you
What you gonna do when you gotta face
The manifestation of the words that you put in space
They already there you can't take 'em out
The studio gangsta inside you tryin' to break out

Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?
Nowhere to turn, nowhere to run and there's nothin new
Where do we go for inspiration?
It's like pain is our only inspiration
Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?
Nowhere to turn, nowhere to run and there's nothin new
Where do we go for inspiration?
It's like pain is our only inspiration

Yea, I see a place where little boys and girls
Are shells in the oceans not knowin they a pearl
No one to hold 'em while they growin
They livin' moment to moment without a care in the whole world
Now, if I could help it I tell it just like it is
And I may say some things that you don't like to hear
I know this: that people lie, people kneel
People die, people heal, people steal, and people shed tears
What's real, blood spills, gun kill, the sun still, rise
Above me, trust me, it must be, morning, time
Wake up, the stakes up
Everybody want the cake up, to break up with the crew




But when the karma come back for what you do
It's too late to make up, some excuse

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Talib Kweli's Here We Go speak to the rootlessness and lack of inspiration that many people face in their lives. He asks the questions, "Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?" and acknowledges that there is nowhere to turn, nowhere to run, and nothing new. Kweli suggests that pain is the only source of inspiration available. He then begins to detail his observations of the world, including the plight of children who have no one to hold them while they grow, living moment to moment without a care.


In the second half of the song, Kweli reflects on his own roots and the importance of hip-hop to his identity. He takes his role as an artist seriously and urges others to do the same, warning of the consequences of not being prepared. He acknowledges the reality that people lie, people die, people heal, and people shed tears. The song finishes with a warning that karma will come back for what you do, and that it's too late to make excuses when it does.


Overall, Talib Kweli's Here We Go highlights the struggles of finding inspiration and grappling with the harsh realities of life, while also encouraging listeners to take responsibility for their actions and the words they put out into the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Where do we go? What do we say? What do we do?
Lost and uncertain, we question our direction and purpose


Nowhere to turn, nowhere to run and there's nothin new
Feeling trapped and devoid of options or novelty


Where do we go for inspiration?
We seek a source of motivation and creativity


It's like pain is our only inspiration
However, we often only find inspiration from our suffering and hardships


Yea, I see a place where little boys and girls Are shells in the oceans not knowin they a pearl No one to hold 'em while they growin They livin' moment to moment without a care in the whole world
I observe a world where innocent children are left adrift with no guidance or knowledge of their worth


Now, if I could help it I tell it just like it is And I may say some things that you don't like to hear
If I had the power, I would speak truthfully and openly, even if it challenges your notions


I come from people who stronger than time and space Wherever there's competition you gonna find the race
My heritage is one of resilience and tenacity, where competition thrives


I find a place in my heart for this hip-hop And pump blood through my vein my skin get hot
Hip hop is my passion and drives my soul


I take you very serious and make you write more If I don't celebrate I got nothing to fight for
I value your art and encourage your growth, for without celebration, there is no motivation to strive for greater achievement


I'm tight raw, excite y'all like nightfall I'm tight y'all, I walk the street like y'all
I am skilled and captivating, roaming the streets alongside my peers


About action, talk is cheap, right y'all? You start yappin' think about the beef you might cause
Words alone mean nothing; one must consider the repercussions and conflicts they could instigate


What you gonna do when you gotta face The manifestation of the words that you put in space They already there you can't take 'em out
When your spoken words become reality, you cannot undo the effects they have caused


The studio gangsta inside you tryin' to break out
Your inner fake persona, trying to take over and influence your actions


What's real, blood spills, gun kill, the sun still, rise Above me, trust me, it must be, morning, time Wake up, the stakes up
The truth is harsh and violent, but time passes and dawn arrives, urging us to face the challenges ahead


Everybody want the cake up, to break up with the crew But when the karma come back for what you do It's too late to make up, some excuse
Everyone desires success, even if that means abandoning those who helped them get there, but eventually, their actions will come back to haunt them, and it will be too late to make amends




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES DEWITT YANCEY, SHAREESE R. BALLARD, TALIB KWELI GREENE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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