Born Not to Know
Tony Toni Toné Lyrics


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Put all your men in a average city
Had a share of problems don't you know
Just the same the city had too

Time after time, my mama told
There's a lotta things that you know
But there's a whole lot more you need to know?
Money, have your own
Friends, just for fun
Drugs, don't indulge
Sex with the right person?

Work all your day
Crime does not pay
Love don't apply
Live, to live you must die?

And I can't be late 'cause I was born not to know
Things are getting crazy, I ain't getting lazy
I was born not to know

Now since I've grown, I've learned a lot more
The city hasn't changed a bit since
Doesn't mean I have to live like this

I still can recall what my mother told me
There was a lot of things that I knew
But the ones my mother said were true

Money, had my own
Friends, we had fun
Drugs, didn't indulge
Sex, had the right person

Work, all my day
Crime did not pay
Love did not apply
Live, now I live but I gotta die

And I can't be late 'cause I was born not to know
I ain't gonna make a fuss, I like the back of the bus
'Cause I was born not to know

I was born not to know




I was born not to know
I was born not to know

Overall Meaning

The song "Born Not to Know" by Tony Toni Toné is a powerful testimony about the process of learning and growth in one's life. The song speaks to the idea of how one's upbringing can shape the perspective that one has about the world around them. In the first verse, the song suggests that wherever you put people, they'll always encounter problems, regardless of the city they're in. However, the song emphasizes the importance of learning in one's upbringing, as "there's a lot more you need to know."


The chorus of the song highlights the repetitive nature of the character's motivations in life. The lines "I was born not to know / Things are getting crazy, I ain't getting lazy / I was born not to know" suggest a sense of resignation to the way things are, and a reluctance to take responsibility for one's own life. The verses that follow show the character's growth and awareness of this limitation, as the perspective changes from "Money, have your own" to "Money, had my own."


Overall, the message of the song is about the importance of personal growth and development, even if we are born into circumstances that limit us. It encourages taking personal responsibility for our lives and seeking knowledge in order to overcome our limitations.


Line by Line Meaning

Put all your men in a average city
Gather all your acquaintances and put them in a mundane city


Had a share of problems don't you know
Encountered a few issues here and there


Just the same the city had too
However, the city itself faced problems as well


Time after time, my mama told
On multiple occasions, my mother instructed me


There's a lotta things that you know
Many things you are aware of


But there's a whole lot more you need to know?
But there is still much more to learn


Money, have your own
Financial stability is important


Friends, just for fun
Friendships should not be taken too seriously


Drugs, don't indulge
Do not engage in drug use


Sex with the right person?
Is it important to be selective in choosing sexual partners?


Work all your day
Put in effort all-day


Crime does not pay
Illegal activities are not worth the consequences


Love don't apply
Love is not always the solution


Live, to live you must die?
Is it necessary to die in order to truly live?


And I can't be late 'cause I was born not to know
I should not procrastinate because it is my nature to be ignorant


Things are getting crazy, I ain't getting lazy
Despite the chaos, I will not succumb to laziness


Now since I've grown, I've learned a lot more
Now that I have matured, I have gained much knowledge


The city hasn't changed a bit since
The city remains the same as it ever was


Doesn't mean I have to live like this
However, that does not mean I must be content with my current situation


I still can recall what my mother told me
I still remember the lessons my mother taught me


There was a lot of things that I knew
Many things I was already acquainted with


But the ones my mother said were true
However, the advice my mother gave me proved to be genuine


I ain't gonna make a fuss, I like the back of the bus
I do not intend to complain, I prefer to stay low-key


'Cause I was born not to know
Since I was born with a lack of knowledge


I was born not to know
I was born with ignorance


I was born not to know
My ignorance was inbuilt from birth




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Denzil Delano Foster, Thomas Derrick McElroy

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Kwuan Brinson

2020 and this is still my shyt. This is one of most underrated groups in musical history.
MONEY: Had My Own
FRIENDS: We Had Fun
DRUGS: Didn't Indulge
SEX: Had The Right Person
WORKED: All My Days
CRIME: Did Not Pay
LOVE: Didn't Apply
LIVED: I've Lived Now I Gotta Die
🤔Words I literally lived by. Life was phenomenally beautiful in those days and times😢 I'd give anything to be able to go back. Be safe everyone out there😷 1Love✌💯✌



kollegs101

Put all your men in a average city
Had a share of problems don't you know
Just the same the city had too

Time after time, my mama told
There's a lotta things that you know
But there's a whole lot more you need to know?

Money, have your own
Friends, just for fun
Drugs, don't indulge
Sex with the right person?

Work all your day
Crime does not pay
Love don't apply
Live, to live you must die?

And I can't be late 'coz I was born not to know
Things are getting crazy, I ain't getting lazy
I was born not to know

Now since I've grown, I've learned a lot more
The city hasn't changed a bit since
Doesn't mean I have to live like this

I still can recall what my mother told me
There was a lot of things that I knew
But the ones my mother said were true

Money, had my own
Friends, we had fun
Drugs, didn't indulge
Sex, had the right person

Work, all my day
Crime did not pay
Love did not apply
Live, now I live but I gotta die

And I can't be late 'coz I was born not to know
I ain't gonna make a fuss, I like the back of the bus
'Coz I was born not to know

I was born not to know
I was born not to know
I was born not to know



All comments from YouTube:

Granny G

Thank goodness for utube. I am a 63 year old musician of many decades. I still have my 97 year old Mother in my care. I listen to music all the time and so does she. Honestly, while I had this jamming, I looked up and Mama was tapping her foot. Then I told her the nice words to the song. Tony Toni Tone has 97 year old folks rocking to his clean music. I hope they all made it. I see where the group "High Five" totally lost their minds. I'm in here right now pulling the chords to this group's song named "Thinking of You". Bless You Tony Toni Tone!

Mr. Kool

Very much an underrated song . These guys were good.

Close Counsel

Listened to this song for years.. Just humming in my head.. For the first time I received the true meaning.. deeper than social, wealth, racism oppression

Kwuan Brinson

2020 and this is still my shyt. This is one of most underrated groups in musical history.
MONEY: Had My Own
FRIENDS: We Had Fun
DRUGS: Didn't Indulge
SEX: Had The Right Person
WORKED: All My Days
CRIME: Did Not Pay
LOVE: Didn't Apply
LIVED: I've Lived Now I Gotta Die
🤔Words I literally lived by. Life was phenomenally beautiful in those days and times😢 I'd give anything to be able to go back. Be safe everyone out there😷 1Love✌💯✌

fryelee11

Just the most underrated song they have.  This shetz is jamming!

Kwuan Brinson

🤙Sho Yo Rite🤙

Listen to Aunt Robin

@fryelee Word up! The lyrics are 🔥 and so true😁

Monica Goyson

Yes I use too love this song man music just not like this no more. 💙🥰

Dell'La

It's a joy to see this, still sounds so good. My Mother's favorite song by the 3 T's, she was such a fan, as much as I was. I love "For the Love of You," along with many others of course. Thank you guys for helping to create such great memories, I will always cherish in my heart, both of my parents have passed on. Thanks for helping me smile again.

justdanadane

When most music is fun. I can listen to this one over and over and over.

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