The Roots' original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added another MC named Malik B., bassist Leonard Hubbardand keyboardist Scott Storch. Another MC, Dice Raw, frequently made album appearances with the group from 1995 to 1999 before leaving to record a solo album. Scott Storch also left to pursue career as a producer following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, He produced songs such as Still D.R.E. by Dr Dre. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal who is still a member. A beatboxer named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist, Scratch who greatly contributed to The Roots' sound, most notably in live concerts. He left the group in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 2000. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, enjoyed a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus. A percussionist, Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk") repleaced Kenney. A vocalist, Martin Luther toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to their album The Tipping Point. The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC vocals), ?uestlove (drums), Hub (bass), Kamal (keyboard), Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar).
The Roots' debut album, Organix released in 1993, was actually a live recording from a concert in Germany that the Roots sold at their shows. The album earned enough industry buzz to earn the Roots offers from major record labels, and they signed with DGC records, which at the time was better known for its grunge music releases.
The Roots' first album for DGC, Do You Want More?!!!??! (recorded live without the use of samples), was a moderate hit on alternative radio. Their 1996 release Illadelph Halflife was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on Billboard's album chart, spurred in part by MTV's airplay of the video for "What They Do", a parody of rap video clichés such as the "beatdown shot," and "Clones" which was their first to single to reach the top five on the rap charts.
In 1999, The Roots released Things Fall Apart (named after a novel by Chinua Achebe), their breakthrough album. The track "You Got Me", duet with R'n'B singer Erykah Badu, earned them a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.
In 2000, Dice Raw left the group to record his solo debut album, Reclaiming the Dead.
The Roots' reputation as a hip-hop live band made Jay-Z call on them for his MTV Unplugged album in 2002. The album featured good recreations of many of his great songs, played by the band with a little help from female vocalist Jaguar Wright.
2002's Phrenology introduced a more mainstream sound for the Roots, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. The album's sales were boosted by radio and TV airplay for two duets on the album, "Break You Off" (featuring Musiq Soulchild) and "The Seed 2.0" (featuring Cody ChestnuTT). The video for "The Seed 2.0" earned a nomination for the MTV2 Award at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. "The Seed" was also featured on the soundtrack to the Mandy Moore movie Chasing Liberty. Phrenology was certified gold (signifying U.S. sales of at least 500,000 units) in June 2003.
The Roots' 2004 release, The Tipping Point, took its name from a 2000 book by Malcolm Gladwell. The album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track "Star", and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track "Don't Say Nuthin'". The album was an immediate hit, debuting at #4 on the Billboard album chart and selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release.
On November 15, 2005 The Roots released two compilation albums, Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2. These two separately sold discs are a compilation of past hits, live performances, and rare remixes compiled by ?uestlove himself. They also feature 70 pages of liner notes written by ?uestlove. These two albums marked the Roots' last releases on Geffen Records.
The Roots' album, Game Theory, was released on August 29, 2006. The album, which features a track that samples the song "You and Whose Army" by Radiohead, was released on Jay-Z's Def Jam.
The Roots next album 'Rising Down' was released on April 29th 2008. Features tracks with Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saigon, and other greats.
The Make Me Songfacts reports that The Roots' eleventh album, undun, is their first concept album. It tells the story of a man called Redford Stephens who died in 1999 at the age of 25. We hear Redford retelling his life post-mortem and attempting to deconstruct what led to his undoing.
The Roots are also the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airing first on March 2nd, 2009.
Clock With No Hands
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking over mad years worth of photographs
Pictures of some places I ain't never going back
Some people I used to love, why I ain't show them that?
The skies was overcast, when I was sober last
My head is spinning, couldn't tell you if it's slow or fast
It's starting to get too clear, I got to go and grass
To y'all it's a shame but life is what we know it as
In the car, it's hard to read as a clock with no hands
How your man's goin' get up and stop with no yams
All it take is one break, it could pop the program
Whether sinning or not, my back bending like I'm sentenced a lot
I feel some brothers is beginning to plot
It might have been a close friend I forgot
Who started up and ain't remember to stop
I bet these niggas going remember the shop
People think that I'm crazy, just cause I wanna be alone
You can't depend on friends to help you in a squeeze
We all deal with shit on our own
And sometimes the beef can grow, get out of hand
Yeah, you know it gets full blown
I never said that you mean the world to me
Maybe it's best that you never know
Yo, I'm like Malcolm out the window with the weapon out
Searching for somehow to find a minute or the second now
Precious time is money that I ain't got to mess about
Need it from the horse's mouth or from my eye with less account
Lessons with my back to the wall, scoping my session out
Stay a little edgy at times when I ain't stressing bout
Haters don't know shit about me, they the ones that talk shit
Those that love me send it out, so I ain't got to force quit
Cause I'm doing better now, don't mean I never lost shit
I was married to a state of mind and I divorced it, man
I'm from where brothers moving product from the porches
People locking their doors, clutching to their crosses
The block hot by the law, there ain't too many choices
So what I do is for y'all, there ain't too many voices left
I watch my back, and watch my step
And I might forgive, but I will not forget come on
People think that I'm crazy, just cause I wanna be alone
You can't depend on friends to help you in a squeeze
We all deal with shit on our own
And sometimes the beef can grow, get out of hand
Yeah, you know it gets full blown
I never said that you mean the world to me
Maybe it's best that you never know
Yo, living in turbulent times
The blind leading the blind
Some call it evolution, some say intelligent design
You say you want a revolution, you out of your mizind
Your sons' destitute, and their pops all in the prison
My man's back in the jam, he like the back of my hand
He just attracted to scam, he right back in the can
I never sleepwalking, you dig
You get your shuteye
I'm on the first thing in, I'm leaving on the red-eye
My brother back in rehab, just had another relapse
But fin himself, it's been like he's been fighting an energy
Half telling me nobody true when they pretend to be that
So closer than friends, that's where I keep my enemy at
To many parties concerned, it's time to live it and learn
Until we're able to grow, forever bridges we burn
My thoughts free as a bird, that's just about to emerge
And every action is heard, it speaks louder than words, yo
People think that I'm crazy, just cause I wanna be alone
You can't depend on friends to help you in a squeeze
We all deal with shit on our own
And sometimes the beef can grow, get out of hand
Yeah, you know it gets full blown
I never said that you mean the world to me
Maybe it's best that you never know
The Roots’s song “Clock With No Hands” is a reflection on the ups and downs of life. The first verse opens with a somber tone as the singer sits alone in the staircase, holding back tears and looking over old photographs. The images capture places and people he will never see again, and the reflection leads to regret over the loved ones he failed to cherish when he had the chance. The second verse continues the sense of sadness as the singer speaks of living in “turbulent times,” where his friends and family struggle with addiction, incarceration, and a life of limited choices. Through it all, the singer is wrestling with his demons, trying to find his place in the world, and searching for meaning amid the chaos. The refrain ties the verses together, reminding listeners that even in the midst of friends, we can feel alone and helpless.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, sitting in the staircase, holding back tears
Feeling emotional and reviewing memories while trying not to cry in a particular place, which happens to be the staircase.
Looking over mad years worth of photographs
Reviewing many years of pictures.
Pictures of some places I ain't never going back
Pictures of some places that are not worth revisiting.
Some people I used to love, why I ain't show them that?
Regretting not expressing love to some people from the past.
The skies was overcast, when I was sober last
The last time the person was sober, the sky was cloudy.
My head is spinning, couldn't tell you if it's slow or fast
Feeling disoriented and unable to determine the pace of thoughts.
It's starting to get too clear, I got to go and grass
Things are becoming more apparent, and the person needs to smoke some marijuana to cope.
To y'all it's a shame but life is what we know it as
To others, life may be shameful, but this is what the person knows it to be.
Waiting, navigating the plot, without plans
Going with the flow, without any defined plans.
In the car, it's hard to read as a clock with no hands
It is difficult to keep track of time or direction, similar to a clock without hands, while driving.
How your man's goin' get up and stop with no yams
How can someone succeed without resources?
All it take is one break, it could pop the program
A single opportunity can change everything and alter the course of events.
Whether sinning or not, my back bending like I'm sentenced a lot
Regardless of whether the person is doing wrong, they are facing tough consequences.
I feel some brothers is beginning to plot
Sensing that some people are planning something negative against the person.
It might have been a close friend I forgot
Perhaps the person who is plotting against them was once a close friend who has been forgotten.
Who started up and ain't remember to stop
It is possible that the same friend has started something negative and has forgotten to stop it.
I bet these niggas going remember the shop
The person believes that their enemies will remember the harm they caused.
People think that I'm crazy, just cause I wanna be alone
Others might misinterpret the person's desire for solitude as insanity.
You can't depend on friends to help you in a squeeze
Friends may not always be able to provide assistance in difficult situations.
We all deal with shit on our own
Everyone has to deal with their own problems and challenges.
And sometimes the beef can grow, get out of hand
Sometimes conflicts can escalate and become unmanageable.
Yeah, you know it gets full blown
Everybody knows that conflicts can escalate quickly.
I never said that you mean the world to me
The person hasn't said that someone is extremely important to them.
Maybe it's best that you never know
It may not be advantageous for them to reveal their true feelings.
Yo, I'm like Malcolm out the window with the weapon out
The person feels like Malcolm X, with his weapon out the window.
Searching for somehow to find a minute or the second now
Looking for a way to make time count.
Precious time is money that I ain't got to mess about
The person doesn't have time to waste and needs to use it wisely.
Need it from the horse's mouth or from my eye with less account
The person prefers to get information directly from the source or using their own intuition.
Lessons with my back to the wall, scoping my session out
The person is facing challenges but still learning from the situation.
Stay a little edgy at times when I ain't stressing bout
Feeling a bit uneasy or anxious, even when the person isn't overly stressed.
Haters don't know shit about me, they the ones that talk shit
The people who dislike the person don't really know anything about them and just gossip.
Those that love me send it out, so I ain't got to force quit
The people who care will naturally show their support, so the person doesn't have to try too hard to keep them.
Cause I'm doing better now, don't mean I never lost shit
Just because the person is doing well presently, doesn't mean they haven't experienced setbacks in life.
I was married to a state of mind and I divorced it, man
The person was hung up on a particular way of thinking and eventually let it go.
I'm from where brothers moving product from the porches
The person comes from an area where people sell drugs on the front porch.
People locking their doors, clutching to their crosses
The community is feeling increasingly unsafe and relying on religion to cope.
The block hot by the law, there ain't too many choices
Due to heightened police activity, there are few options to make a living in the area.
So what I do is for y'all, there ain't too many voices left
The person is trying to make a positive impact for the people in their community, as there aren't many vocal advocates.
I watch my back, and watch my step
Being extra cautious and careful about their surroundings.
And I might forgive, but I will not forget come on
The person is willing to forgive, but won't forget the harm that was done to them.
Living in turbulent times
Existing in a tumultuous era.
The blind leading the blind
People who are unaware are attempting to lead others.
Some call it evolution, some say intelligent design
There are different opinions on how society is progressing.
You say you want a revolution, you out of your mizind
People who want a revolution may not fully understand what it entails.
Your sons' destitute, and their pops all in the prison
The youth in the community are struggling, and their fathers are incarcerated.
My man's back in the jam, he like the back of my hand
The person's friend is back in jail, and this is a familiar situation to them.
He just attracted to scam, he right back in the can
The person's friend has a tendency to engage in illegal schemes, and is once again in jail.
I never sleepwalking, you dig
The person is always alert and aware.
You get your shuteye
Other people can sleep and relax while the person must stay alert.
I'm on the first thing in, I'm leaving on the red-eye
The person is always on the move.
My brother back in rehab, just had another relapse
The person's brother is in rehab but has unfortunately experienced a setback in their recovery.
But fin himself, it's been like he's been fighting an energy
The person's brother is struggling and feels like they're battling an internal force.
Half telling me nobody true when they pretend to be that
Only some people are genuine and truthful, while others are just pretending.
So closer than friends, that's where I keep my enemy at
The person keeps their enemies close, similar to how they would treat a close friend.
To many parties concerned, it's time to live it and learn
There are too many factors to consider, and the person believes they need to simply live and learn from their experiences.
Until we're able to grow, forever bridges we burn
Until they can mature and develop, there will be bad blood between them and others.
My thoughts free as a bird, that's just about to emerge
The person's thoughts are unrestricted and unrestrained, like a bird getting ready to take flight.
And every action is heard, it speaks louder than words, yo
The person's actions are impactful and say more than their words ever could.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARL B. JENKINS, KHARI ABDUL MATEEN, TARIK L. COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@InfamousRafe
I remember I was in Portland Oregon in foster care.
my 4 grade teacher took me in and her husband showed me hip hop. mos def and the whole 9.
this song still gets me threw.
21, shot, and paralyzed now.
Still gets me threw when its hard to get out of bed, and live what I got to live with.
peace and love
@krsj1
One of the deepest hip hop songs ever made........hands down.
@sirliridon.4419
No hands..
@laweedwalid
I can debate u on that but i mostly agree
@blazeking5778
One of the best songs I've heard across any genre.
@jamescherry89
@@sirliridon.4419 I got hands..
@jonsense4937
One of black thought’s hardest songs
@BoxOfOranges84
Thumbs up if you're under 25 and you appreciate good music
@ncebamaqanda4454
I was 24 when you wrote this. I was in love with it since 17. Good music is timeless, thanks for your comment.
@AryaV
This makes me tear up everytime. "The sky was overcast, when I was sober last." That phrase alone has affected my life more than any politican, teacher, parent, anything; that line shows experience. This EXCEEDS Hip-Hop, it's lyrical POETRY.
@reccct
word man. word