Coney Island High
Tarsha Vega Lyrics
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Impact you like the tooth you call the wisdom
Shirley Chisolm from the boogie down to B.K. in my pumas and kappas
Tarsha Vega's a dapper rapper I expand with Frank Zappa
Beta kappa on the mic like MC Lyte drink cappuccino
We flow at casinos from Las Vegas to Reno
'Cause life's a slot machine of dreams and I'm a verbal fiend been rockin'
I think I'm winning but I'm losing again
I find religion in a pad and a pen
I plant a flower in the desert
Then I'm back to Coney Island in the middle of the summer
I'm so high Coney Island high
Walkin' on the boardwalk [unverified] my baby tonite
I'm so high Coney Island high
Beats and cotton candy in the summertime
Tarsha Vega like Suzanne who sang the Luca
Divine like Pink Flamingos got 'cha searchin' for my lingo
Ridin' on the wheel they call the Ferris like the Buhler
Circle is the motion like the hoop they call the Hula
In the cycle of a lifeless tomb a crack head's womb
Build a bridge across the River Phoenix
Impend the doom while I'll eclipse ya like the lunar
Use your wisdom it's ya essence
Got the lessons like a professor at the college flipping knowledge
I dig the silence as you holdin' my hold
I dig the rhythm of the waves on the sand
I see the hard knocks on the boardwalks pushin' rocks
And that's why families don't come to Coney Island
I flip the script like David Kelly on the tele
Then take ya round the corner score some ginseng at the deli
Melle Mel was like the message but it's all been convoluted
Love the pictures of the boardwalk when the shit was not polluted
I'm so high Coney Island high
Walkin' on the boardwalk [unverified] my baby tonite
I'm so high Coney Island high
Beats and cotton candy in the summertime
In Tarsha Vega's "Coney Island High," the singer-spitter boasts about her rhyming skills, claiming to "raise the roof like Luke" and "smack you wit my tactics." Vega references Shirley Chisolm, the Brooklyn-born congresswoman who became the first Black woman to run for President of the United States, by shouting out both the Bronx and Brooklyn while sporting Pumas and Kappas. She also mentions Frank Zappa, the eccentric musician known for his virtuosic guitar playing and avant-garde compositions, as someone she associates with as a "dapper rapper." Vega packs her lyrics with a plethora of colorful metaphors and similes, including likening herself to a "verbal fiend" at slot machines.
Although Vega has been rapping since her teenage years, she admits to being frustrated in her attempts to reconcile her artistic aspirations with her life circumstances. She laments "I think I'm winning but I'm losing again" and describes finding solace in writing, proclaiming "I find religion in a pad and a pen." Nonetheless, Vega expresses pride in her roots and the vibrant environments that shaped her, returning to Coney Island in the summertime, where she gazes at the ocean waves and sees the hardships endured by many locals. The song showcases Vega's talent as an emcee and her ability to weave complex wordplay with insightful observations.
Line by Line Meaning
I raise the roof like Luke and smack you wit my tactics
I am very skilled at what I do and can easily defeat my opponents.
Impact you like the tooth you call the wisdom
I have a lot of influence and can affect you greatly.
Shirley Chisolm from the boogie down to B.K. in my pumas and kappas
I am a powerful woman who represents and takes pride in my community.
Tarsha Vega's a dapper rapper I expand with Frank Zappa
I am a skilled rapper who can hold my own with legends like Frank Zappa.
Beta kappa on the mic like MC Lyte drink cappuccino
I am intelligent and capable like a member of the Beta Kappa fraternity and have the same smoothness as MC Lyte while enjoying a drink.
We flow at casinos from Las Vegas to Reno
My talent and hard work has taken me places, from Las Vegas to Reno.
'Cause life's a slot machine of dreams and I'm a verbal fiend been rockin'
Life is a gamble and I am constantly striving to succeed and fulfill my dreams through music.
Scores of metaphors since I was only a teen
I have been honing my writing and lyrical skills since I was young, resulting in many powerful metaphors in my work.
I think I'm winning but I'm losing again
Even though I may feel like I am succeeding, there are always obstacles and setbacks in life.
I find religion in a pad and a pen
For me, writing and creating music is a form of spiritual practice and devotion.
I plant a flower in the desert
Through my music, I bring beauty and hope to seemingly bleak situations like a flower in the desert.
Then I'm back to Coney Island in the middle of the summer
After experiencing success and traveling, I always return to my home and community in Coney Island.
I'm so high Coney Island high
Being in Coney Island makes me feel alive and excited.
Walkin' on the boardwalk [unverified] my baby tonite
Taking a walk with my significant other on the boardwalk in Coney Island is a special moment for us.
Beats and cotton candy in the summertime
The summer in Coney Island is full of music and fun, with the added bonus of tasty treats like cotton candy.
Tarsha Vega like Suzanne who sang the Luca
I am a talented musician like Suzanne Vega who created the hit song 'Luka.'
Divine like Pink Flamingos got 'cha searchin' for my lingo
Like the cult film 'Pink Flamingos,' my music has a unique quality that draws people in and makes them want to understand and connect with me.
Ridin' on the wheel they call the Ferris like the Buhler
I am on a journey like riding on a Ferris wheel, experiencing ups and downs and encountering new things like the Bueller spiral.
Circle is the motion like the hoop they call the Hula
Like the motion of a hula hoop, my life is a cyclical and repetitive journey.
In the cycle of a lifeless tomb a crack head's womb
In the cycle of addiction and hardship, it can feel like we are trapped in a lifeless tomb.
Build a bridge across the River Phoenix
I am working to overcome and transcend the pain and tragedy in my life, symbolized by the late actor River Phoenix.
Impend the doom while I'll eclipse ya like the lunar
Even in the face of impending doom, I will rise and outshine like a lunar eclipse.
Use your wisdom it's ya essence
It is important to use your intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom to guide your life.
Got the lessons like a professor at the college flipping knowledge
I have learned many valuable lessons in life that I can share and impart, like the knowledge of a college professor.
I dig the silence as you holdin' my hold
I find peace and happiness in moments of quiet intimacy with a loved one.
I dig the rhythm of the waves on the sand
The natural beauty and soothing sounds of the ocean bring me joy and comfort.
I see the hard knocks on the boardwalks pushin' rocks
The boardwalk in Coney Island can be a tough and challenging place, with people working hard to make a living.
And that's why families don't come to Coney Island
The struggles and difficulties in Coney Island may make it less attractive to families looking for a safe and comfortable place to visit.
I flip the script like David Kelly on the tele
Like David Kelley, I am able to create and innovate in my work.
Then take ya round the corner score some ginseng at the deli
After working hard, it's important to take care of yourself and treat yourself to something healthy, like ginseng from a local deli.
Melle Mel was like the message but it's all been convoluted
Melle Mel's music had a powerful message, but over time it has become confused and misunderstood.
Love the pictures of the boardwalk when the shit was not polluted
I appreciate the history and past beauty of the boardwalk in Coney Island before it became polluted and degraded.
Contributed by Kaylee R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.