What Can I Do
Talib Kweli feat. Madlib Lyrics
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And thoughts remain to sail on the sea, yeah
What can I do, but what can I do)
Yo, I try to get it here, get it there, everywhere
(What can I do, but what can I do)
So I spit it clear, persevere, interfere
With the status quo the baddest flow throughout the hemisphere
There ain't no pretenders here, only real men is here
Better yet the Queen of Sheba, Aretha, Queen Latifah
I'm the boss like Aneisha Reefa
Boss? You ain't my boss? Baby
You don't run shit up in here
I don't know who the hell you think talkin to
I'm gonna take that shit and bounce
I don't know who the hell you think you are
I ain't got no boss
See I call her baby like she 3 years old
When she fully grown so these dudes is pullin' on
She in the club like a stone cover, fully blown
Speaking in the girly tone even though you got a attitude
I can't stay mad at you
(We'll have our quarrels,) word (and you will upset me
Tell me what can I do, but what can I do)
Nothin', cause if I said that I don't need you I was frontin' so
(What can I do, but what can I do)
Nothing, every time you said you leavin' you was bluffin'
Back in the days I had dreads like Lil Jon
And got numbers armed with nothin' but a pen and a little charm
Everything I'm saying be littered with observation
So I stand up for the dudes with limited conversation
You looking at a star, it's all in the constellation
Haha You ain't no star
Haha you losing your mind
I don't know who told you that shit
She tried to tie me up but she can't tie me down
She ain't never cried a tear but she cryin' now
She tried to leave me, coming back cause she can't forget me
I gotta be strong so she can't disrespect me
(We'll have our quarrels), word
(and you will upset me, tell me what can I do, but what can I do)
Uh uh uh uh yea
(What can I do, but what can I do)
Uh uh uh yea
Let's, let's go uh
Let's, let's go uh
The lyrics of Talib Kweli's "What I Seen" are open for interpretation as it involves different themes that are woven together intricately. At a surface level, the song talks about expressing oneself through music and the struggles that underlie the art of rapping. One interpretation of these lyrics is that Talib Kweli is reflecting on his experience breaking through the music industry while trying to maintain his authenticity.
In the first verse, Talib Kweli refers to himself as a sailor and raps, "Swim in the ocean, and thoughts remain to sail on the sea, yeah. What can I do, but what can I do?" It's a metaphor for his journey as an artist where he navigates through his thoughts, ideas, and life experiences to create music. He then goes on to talk about his dedication to his craft and that he won't let anything get in his way. He expresses his frustration and dissatisfaction with the status quo and how he wants to do something different. He raps, "So I spit it clear, persevere, interfere with the status quo the baddest flow throughout the hemisphere." Talib Kweli's music resists conformity and strives to unveil the truth, and he is adamant about pushing boundaries and challenging the norm.
In the second verse, Talib Kweli touches on his personal relationships, particularly his struggles with his lover. He refers to his lover as "baby" and how their relationship has its ups and downs. They argue, and he gets upset at times, but he acknowledges that he needs her, and he can't help but keep coming back. He raps, "Nothin', cause if I said that I don't need you I was frontin' so, (What can I do, but what can I do). Nothing, every time you said you leavin' you was bluffin'." Furthermore, Talib Kweli acknowledges his lover's efforts and that she is trying to hold on to their relationship but, at the same time, is not ready to be tied down.
Overall, "What I Seen" showcases Talib Kweli's skill as a wordsmith, storyteller, and rapper as he reflects on his personal struggles and creative journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Swim in the ocean
Navigating through life's challenges and uncertainties
And thoughts remain to sail on the sea, yeah
One's mind wanders with potential opportunities as life continues to unfold
What can I do, but what can I do
Helpless in some situations and left with limited options
Yo, I try to get it here, get it there, everywhere
Working to make a name for oneself and succeed in every aspect of life
(What can I do, but what can I do)
Still facing limitations and obstacles despite one's efforts
So I spit it clear, persevere, interfere
Fighting for what one believes in, even if it involves going against the norm
With the status quo the baddest flow throughout the hemisphere
Having the most impressive flow in the game, impressing people from all over
There ain't no pretenders here, only real men is here
Being authentic and genuine while surrounding oneself with the same type of people
If you see a chick she down to ride like she wanna veer
Surrounding oneself with loyal and committed partners
Better yet the Queen of Sheba, Aretha, Queen Latifah
Comparing a partner to some of the most influential and powerful women in history
I'm the boss like Aneisha Reefa
Asserting oneself as a leader and calling the shots
Boss? You ain't my boss? Baby
Refusing to be submissive to someone else's authority
You don't run shit up in here
Claiming independence and autonomy in one's life
I don't know who the hell you think talkin to
Rejecting any attempts by others to impose their will on one's life
I'm gonna take that shit and bounce
Walking away from toxic relationships and situations
See I call her baby like she 3 years old
Showing affection and care towards a partner
When she fully grown so these dudes is pullin' on
Seeing other men trying to win over one's partner
She in the club like a stone cover, fully blown
One's partner going out and partying, possibly being flirtatious with others
Speaking in the girly tone even though you got a attitude
Being passive-aggressive and manipulative towards one's partner
I can't stay mad at you
Being forgiving towards one's partner despite their flaws and actions
(We'll have our quarrels,) word (and you will upset me
Acknowledging that conflicts will arise in a relationship and they may cause hurt feelings
Tell me what can I do, but what can I do)
Feeling helpless in dealing with relationship issues and problems
Nothin', cause if I said that I don't need you I was frontin' so
Admitting that one's partner is important to them and they cannot imagine life without them
(What can I do, but what can I do)
Still feeling helpless in the face of problems and adversity
Nothing, every time you said you leavin' you was bluffin'
Realizing one's partner threatens to leave but never follows through, possibly using it as a tactic to control the relationship
Back in the days I had dreads like Lil Jon
Recalling a time in the past when one looked and acted differently
And got numbers armed with nothin' but a pen and a little charm
Making connections and gaining popularity through charm and intelligence, not necessarily physical force
Everything I'm saying be littered with observation
Speaking with wisdom and insight, drawing from personal experience and observation
So I stand up for the dudes with limited conversation
Being outspoken and advocating for those who may not have the opportunity to speak up for themselves
You looking at a star, it's all in the constellation
Being successful and shining brightly in one's field of work and expertise
She tried to tie me up but she can't tie me down
Resisting being controlled or manipulated by one's partner
She ain't never cried a tear but she cryin' now
Taking note of how one's partner behaves emotionally and the impact they have on them
She tried to leave me, coming back cause she can't forget me
Despite conflicts and issues in the relationship, one's partner keeps coming back because of their strong connection with each other
I gotta be strong so she can't disrespect me
Taking measures to maintain self-respect and dignity in the face of relationship challenges
(We'll have our quarrels), word
Acknowledging the inevitable conflicts and challenges that arise in a relationship
(and you will upset me, tell me what can I do, but what can I do)
Feeling helpless in the face of emotional turmoil and conflicts within the relationship
Uh uh uh uh yea
Expressing frustration and helplessness
(What can I do, but what can I do)
Continuing to feel helpless in the face of challenges and conflicts
Uh uh uh yea
Expressing frustration and exhaustion
Let's, let's go uh
Moving forward despite the challenges and difficulties
Let's, let's go uh
Continuing to push through and persevere
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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