Stand To The Side
Talib Kweli Lyrics

Go right to left, left to right
We approach life from all angles and perspectives.

Middle passage connection
Acknowledging and honoring the struggles of Black people during the Transatlantic slave trade.

Yeah, about to build
Preparing to create something meaningful and impactful.

Tell you which way to go
Offering guidance and direction in a confusing world.

We go right to left, left to right
Reiterating the importance of approaching life from different perspectives and angles.

If you fight to the death, what's left to fight
Questioning the futility of violence and aggression.

Yo, here we go
Moving forward with determination and purpose.

I want to write away
Expressing a desire to write and create something of value.

I want to write here
Desiring to create in the present moment.

I want to write brave words to fight fear
Using words to combat fear and instill courage.

Write dreams and nightmares
Exploring both the positive and negative aspects of the human experience through writing.

Might scare the folks stuck in the day
Acknowledging that some people may not be ready to confront their fears and anxieties.

But nothing to say
Acknowledging that some people may not be interested in exploring deeper, meaningful topics.

Well I'm way ahead by light years
Confident in one's abilities and perspective.

So beware we keep the lights on
Continuing to explore the darkness and shining a light on important issues.

I want to write the songs from right to wrong
Highlighting social injustices and the need for change.

Right on
Affirming a commitment to positive change.

Riding the light so you see in the dark
Using creativity and art to shine a light on important issues and problems.

So deep you gotta be still like your beating heart
Urging listeners to reflect and introspect to uncover deeper truths.

My words apply the pressure to make the bleeding stop
Using writing and art to heal emotional wounds and societal problems.

See the art, living right, eating smart
Encouraging people to live healthy and sustainably while also appreciating art and creativity.

I want to right to life, a right to death
Advocating for basic human rights, such as the right to live and die with dignity.

Police read your rights from right to left
Commenting on the way that police can strip individuals of their rights and freedoms.

But I never write to remain silent
Promoting the importance of speaking out against injustice and oppression.

I fight through police line
Resisting systems of oppression and advocating for change.

Cops walk the beat that I write to
Drawing parallels between the beat of police officers' footsteps and the beat of hip-hop music.

I teach minds, write rhymes with the right sound
Using music and writing to educate and inspire listeners.

Right now, journalists write up
Urging the media to focus on important issues and to report truthfully.

I write down
Using writing to document important stories and events.

Party people put a hand in the sky
Encouraging listeners to celebrate and participate in the music and culture.

Grab a cloud and squeeze til no man is dry
Urging listeners to take hold of opportunities and not let them slip away.

We wet it up, go ask the people if they plannin to die
Promoting life and asking listeners to consider their own mortality.

Can't stay to live, consumers is plannin to buy
Commenting on society's emphasis on consumerism and materialism.

Smoke death operators is standing by
Acknowledging the role of those who perpetuate harmful systems and industries.

They take you order for the slaughter of the family why
Highlighting the devastating impact of corporate greed and the exploitation of marginalized communities.

Do they make it so hard for a man to provide
Critiquing the societal structures and systems that make it difficult for people to provide for themselves and their families.

You better get wit it, or stand to the side
Encouraging listeners to take action and make a difference, or else be left behind.

And the story line goes on
Continuing to explore and document the human experience.

Right to left, who's right who's wrong
Acknowledging the complex and shifting nature of morality and justice.

Fuck the politics and pride
Rejecting power games and entrenched systems of oppression.

I just to try to stay alive
Focusing on individual survival and well-being.

To witness where the battle lines are drawn
Seeking to understand and document the conflicts and struggles of the present moment.

Speak my mind and sing my song
Using creative expression to speak out against social injustice and oppression.

I'm passin on the moral y'all
Urging listeners to consider and reflect on moral questions and dilemmas.

This is ain't play
Insisting on the seriousness and importance of the work being done.

True, you got to know the way
Emphasizing the importance of knowledge and understanding.

It's hard now
Acknowledging the difficult and challenging nature of the work.

Open eyes
Encouraging listeners to be alert and aware of their surroundings.

See hopeful lives
Finding inspiration and encouragement in the resilience of marginalized communities.

Sing it now
Encouraging listeners to join in and participate in the creative process.

Making my way through life
Navigating the challenges and obstacles of the human experience.

Talking to elders and taking advice
Seeking guidance and wisdom from those who have come before.

Ignoring their words and paying the price
Commenting on the dangers of ignoring wisdom and experience.

Living in the world where false preachers got us praying to Christ
Critiquing those who use religion to exploit and control others.

Get with the young girls in the choir and laying the pipe
Highlighting the sexual exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

No control of our soul we all wait at the light
Commenting on the lack of control individuals often feel in their own lives.

So comfortable they we hating to fight to make it right
Critiquing the complacency and apathy of individuals who are unwilling to fight for what is right.

Late at night I'm controlled by the DJ on the mic
Acknowledging the power and influence of music on one's emotions and thoughts.

I love hip-hop and every joint he playing is tight
Expressing a personal appreciation for hip-hop music and its ability to inspire and motivate.

A day in the life is a brick in the foundation of like
Recognizing the importance of each individual's actions and contributions to society.

A maze in Egypt amazing when I'm creating a sight
Finding beauty and inspiration in the act of creation.

For the world to behold and the story to last
Creating something lasting and meaningful for others to appreciate and learn from.

So one day ghetto children can visit their glorious past
Using creativity and art to preserve and honor the histories of marginalized communities.

After Pac and Notorious past what do we have
Reflecting on the legacies of influential and important figures in hip-hop.

Niggas worth more when they dead, it's so sad
Commenting on the way that society often fails to recognize and appreciate individuals until after they have passed away.

Started with the slavery we finish the plan
Acknowledging the lasting impacts of slavery and systemic racism on society.

But I broke the cycle, and became a man
Finding personal growth and transformation in the face of difficult circumstances.

Come on
Encouraging listeners to join in and participate in the creative process.

I got my man Savion in the house
Acknowledging and appreciating a collaborator and fellow artist.

We about to put it down
Preparing to create something impactful and inspiring.

Here we go
Moving forward with determination and purpose.