Mista Mista
The Fugees Lyrics
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Can I get five dollars
So I can get something to eat
Hell no motherfucka
You can't get no money from me
'Cause every time I give you a dollar
You go get shot up with more and more needles
And you tell me that you're drug free
Mista mista
I haven't ate anything for a week
Can I get a quarter?
Hell no motherfucka
What can a quarter get you?
Nothing motherfucka
You are just fucked up
Off them fucked up drugs
You know you need to fucking leave alone
But you keep telling me that you're drug free
Motherfucka
You ain't drug free, you're a fiend
And every time I try to help you
You pretend as if it's okay
Then later on in the week
You go back to shootin' needles, to sniffin'
Oh motherfucka, but you told me you were drug free
Drug free
You ain't drug free motherfucka
So you damn well, can't get no motherfucking money from me
The Fugees' song "Mista Mista" is a socially conscious commentary on drug addiction and poverty. The song is a conversation between a homeless addict and a passerby who is initially sympathetic but becomes increasingly frustrated with the addict's drug use. The addict asks for five dollars to get something to eat, but the passerby refuses, citing the addict's pattern of using any money he is given to buy drugs. When the addict asks for a quarter, the passerby becomes angry, accusing the addict of being a fiend and a liar who claims to be drug-free but continues to use drugs.
The lyrics are powerful and poignant, highlighting the ubiquitous nature of drug addiction and poverty in society. The refrain of "drug free" becomes increasingly biting as it is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the addict's inability to break free from their addiction. The use of profanity adds to the rawness of the song and underscores the urgency of the message.
Overall, "Mista Mista" is a powerful song that tackles difficult subjects with honesty and emotion. It serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by those dealing with addiction and poverty and highlights the need for compassion and understanding in the face of these issues.
Line by Line Meaning
Mista mista
A greeting to a person begging for money
Can I get five dollars
Requesting money for food or drugs
Hell no motherfucka
A refusal to give money based on the belief that it will be used for drugs
You can't get no money from me
Emphatically stating that there will be no financial assistance provided
Cause every time I give you a dollar
Explaining the reason for the refusal to give money
You go get shot up with more and more needles
Belief that the person begging for money is using it to support a drug addiction
And you tell me that you're drug free
Irony in the fact that the person requesting money maintains that they are drug-free despite evidence to the contrary
Mista mista
Repetition of the initial greeting to a person begging for money
I haven't ate anything for a week
A more desperate appeal for food or money
Can I get a quarter?
A specific request for funds
What can a quarter get you?
A rhetorical question suggesting that such a small amount of money will not be helpful
Nothing motherfucka
A blunt statement that there will be no financial assistance given
You are just fucked up
Accusation that the person begging for money is in a bad state due to drug addiction
Off them fucked up drugs
Assertion that the person begging for money's addiction is a primary cause of their current situation
You know you need to fucking leave alone
Advice to abandon drug use
But you keep telling me that you're drug free
Disbelief in the person begging for money's claims to be drug-free
Motherfucka
Swearing in frustration
You ain't drug free, you're a fiend
Accusation that the person begging for money is a drug addict
And every time I try to help you
Acknowledgment of past attempts to assist the person begging for money
You pretend as if it's okay
Belief that the person begging for money is not receptive to efforts to help them
Then later on in the week
Suggestion that the person begging for money will likely continue drug use despite help offered
You go back to shootin' needles, to sniffin'
Continuation of belief that the person begging for money is a drug addict
Oh motherfucka, but you told me you were drug free
Reiteration of disbelief in the person begging for money's claims to be drug-free
Drug free
Sarcastic repetition of the person begging for money's claims to be drug-free
You ain't drug free motherfucka
Assertion that the person begging for money is a drug addict
So you damn well, can't get no motherfucking money from me
Final, forceful refusal to give money to the person begging for it
Lyrics ยฉ OBO APRA/AMCOS
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Matthew Huskins
This album will forever be the best thing that ever happened to me. The purity and passion canโt be matched.
j h
Hands down best hip hop album of all time <3
John Moreno
It still sounds ๐๐ great!
Cs Scott
This song is hilarious and underrated on the album. ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
BoyZ48
๐๐๐
Mari :3
I loved this very good greetings from Argentina :3
John Moreno
Whoa! I can't believe they played the WHOLE thing...
Movin' on...
John Moreno
That's a great song...and that's it.
Matt Grant
This song used to make me laugh so much.
Spoon Love From Up Above
I get you. It's a serious topic.... drug and other addiction, possible homelessness, but his voice makes me laugh.