Tribe of Levi has recorded and performed with luminaries such as Sadat X, Blu, Nas, Dead Prez, Ana Tijoux. Little Brother, Zion I, KRS-One, Black Sheep, Illogic, Bru Lei, Butterscotch, and more. Voted the winner of the 2010 Sacramento Area Music award for "Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap," these emcees elevate the artform by returning to its roots.
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT, HERE'S WHAT THE REVIEWS SAY: Aaris Schroeder of UBO Magazine on MICjordan's currently-available LP Leviathan. Mic Jordan is analytical and persuasive... Tribe of Levi has always been about their emceeing skills and word play, bringing the attention to local and universal politics and life's daily dealings, so it is no wonder that Mic Jordan's mind aimed in the same direction with his second solo album...Bru Lei, Mahtie Bush, 5th Ave, Random Abiladeze, Rick Tognotti, [and] Glassfire are all featured on Mic Jordan's underground lyrical masterpiece." Josh Fernandez of The Sacramento News & Review on Mic Jordan's currently-available LP "LEVIATHAN": "From the first verse--"I've been told that I'm an old soul/ It's not that exactly/ It's just this world is so cold,/ You gotta be wise just to have a chance to grow old"--it's clear that Mic Jordan is an emcee who steps beyond rap writing and ventures boldly into hip-hop poetry. From Daddy Longlegs' flute-laced beat on "Fa Sho" to 26 Hours' action movie-esque production on "Until the Day," this album is a gold mine for fans of real hip-hop. The star of this album, of course, is Mic Jordan, who consistently displays trademark wisdom combined with stunning wordplay on each track. If for one second you doubt the talent of Sacramento emcees and producers, find this album and be silenced for good."
Josh Fernandez of The Sacramento News & Review on Poor's currently-available EP "...FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH": "In this oversaturated rap market full of self-conscious and boring emcees, Poor's brutally honest approach is a breath of fresh air. And so is Mic Jordan, whose imaginative production takes interesting turns--from rock to straight-up hip-hop. "Sex Sells" flaunts Poor's obvious love of language, while Jordan hops on the mic to round out a beautifully obscene track. The disc's highlight, though, is "Dark Blue," produced by Jeremy Pearson, who loops breathtaking jazz piano over a lazy drum track to mesmerize the listener into a near-trancelike state. Poor uses the beat wisely, not merely as a backdrop but as a tool for his voice to craft structurally sound compositions with. Ingeniously, Poor rhymes underneath, over and through this texture-heavy track. Stay on the lookout for this rich emcee." Todd Osterhout of The Local Slice on Mic Jordan's forthcoming LP "Air": "Introspective, conscious, deep, intense, creative, soul-felt lyrics glide over dreamy, "barefoot" beats with a 70s feel... keeps all aspects of his music relevant, connected, and in harmony.... [Mic Jordan] includes creative tales of wonder along with the real street knowledge he's learned from California life. He often speaks positively of religion but against using power to deceive the people. Jordan alludes to modern and ancient mythology in the context of keeping an open mind - respecting diversity. He tackles topics such as politics, race, class, drugs, alcohol, and youth to adolescence to making a living... with fast and complex yet clear and compelling deliveries transferring to a calm, easy style... close your eyes and let Jordan guide your imagination and transform your perspective." FOR FANS OF: Talib Kweli, MF DOOM, NaS, Brother Ali, Zion I, Blu, Dead Prez, Immortal Technique, Fashawn
Around You
Tribe of Levi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But now, I know I was just crazy to let you treat me that way
I put you first in my life
You brought the worst in my life
See, I'm tired of playin′ games with you just like a child
You had every opportunity to give me your smile
I can't do this no more and how you broke me before
Every time I′m around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you′d only tear me apart
I don't wanna do it again
I don′t wanna love you again
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
How could I consider taking you back again
I trusted you and I′m bitter I'd love you more than I can
I put you first in my life
You brought the worst in my life
And I′m tired of waiting all night long 'til you come home or call
And you'd apologize and make it seem alright when you′re sorry at all
I can′t see you no more, already tried that before
I just can't be around you, girl, I′m closing the door
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you′d only tear me apart
I don't wanna do it again
I don′t wanna love you again
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
Anything you'd needed, I was there for you
There was nothin′ I would not do
How could you leave, you′re standing all alone
Knowin' I could not do this on my own
I come around you
If I let you in again, you′d only tear my heart, I know
I can't do this
I can′t love you
Just can't be around you, yeah
Tear me apart
Oh no
The lyrics of Tribe of Levi's song "Around You" depict a relationship that has gone sour due to the partner's repeated betrayal and emotional abuse. The singer is torn between their love for their significant other and the immense hurt that they have been caused. The lyrics are raw and honest, as the singer reflects on their past actions of putting their partner first, despite the trauma that they had been forced to endure. The song showcases the emotional turmoil of someone trying to move on from a toxic relationship, but still struggling with their feelings of love and loyalty.
The first verse of the song highlights the singer's realization that the relationship was toxic and they had been foolish to let their partner mistreat them. They express their frustration and exhaustion with playing games and being treated like a child. The chorus echoes their decision to end the relationship and not let their partner hurt them anymore. The second verse talks about the singer's struggle to move on and avoid their partner, despite their strong feelings of love. The bridge of the song showcases the singer's willingness to do anything for their partner, despite the latter's disregard for their wellbeing.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, I thought that I was trippin′ when I asked you to stay
At the time, I thought it might have been a mistake to ask you to stay with me, but now I realize that was just foolish of me after everything you put me through.
But now, I know I was just crazy to let you treat me that way
Looking back, I realize that I was out of my mind to let you treat me as poorly as you did.
I put you first in my life
You were the most important thing in my life and I made sure you knew that.
You brought the worst in my life
Unfortunately, your presence in my life brought nothing but negativity and hardship.
See, I'm tired of playin′ games with you just like a child
I'm fed up with the childish games you insist on playing with me.
You had every opportunity to give me your smile
It's not like I didn't give you the chance to make things right and be happy with me, but you squandered it all.
I can't do this no more and how you broke me before
I'm done with this whole situation and especially with how deeply you hurt me in the past.
I just can't be around you and let you hurt me anymore
I can't bear to be anywhere near you if it means putting myself in harm's way again.
Every time I′m around you, I let down my guard
Whenever I'm around you, I can't help but drop my defenses and be vulnerable.
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
Now I know I need to protect myself from your toxic influence and keep my heart safe.
If I let you in again, you′d only tear me apart
I know from experience that if I give you another chance, you'll only cause me more pain and suffering.
I don't wanna do it again
I'm not interested in repeating the same mistakes and getting hurt all over again.
I don′t wanna love you again
I've learned my lesson and I know that loving you only leads to heartbreak.
Can't be around you
Simply put, I can't be in your presence anymore.
How could I consider taking you back again
I can't believe I ever thought about giving you another chance after all that's happened between us.
I trusted you and I′m bitter I'd love you more than I can
I feel so betrayed and hurt that I ever put my trust in you and loved you with everything I had.
And I′m tired of waiting all night long 'til you come home or call
You were never there for me when I needed you and I'm sick of waiting around for you to show up.
And you'd apologize and make it seem alright when you′re sorry at all
You would pretend to be sorry but it was just lip service and you never actually meant it.
I can′t see you no more, already tried that before
I can't stand to see you again because I've already given you too many chances and you've blown them all.
Girl, I'm closing the door
It's time to finally put this chapter of my life behind me and move on by closing the door on any possibility of us rekindling our relationship.
Anything you'd needed, I was there for you
I was always willing to do whatever it took to make you happy and meet your needs.
There was nothin′ I would not do
There were no limits to the sacrifices I was willing to make to please you.
How could you leave, you′re standing all alone
I can't believe that you would just up and leave me when I was always there for you in your time of need.
Knowin' I could not do this on my own
Did you forget that I was dependent on you too and that you were my rock, too?
Tear me apart
But, alas, our relationship is no more and it has left me in pieces.
Writer(s): Amy Grant, David Foster, Michael N. Smith
Contributed by Ella N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Silentcontrol ZX
LYRICS
Girl, I thought that I was trippin' when I asked you to stay
But now, I know I was just crazy to let you treat me that way
I put you first in my life
You brought the worst in my life
See, I'm tired of playin' games with you just like a child
You had every opportunity to give me your smile
I can't do this no more and how you broke me before
I just can't be around you and let you hurt me anymore
Chorus:
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
I don't wanna do it again
I don't wanna love you again
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
How could I consider taking you back again
I trusted you and I'm bitter I'd love you more than I can
I put you first in my life
You brought the worst in my life
And I'm tired of waiting all night long 'til you come home or call
And you'd apologize and make it seem alright when you're sorry at all
I can't see you no more, already tried that before
I just can't be around you, girl, I'm closing the door
Chorus:
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
I don't wanna do it again
I don't wanna love you again
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
Anything you'd needed, I was there for you
There was nothin' I would not do
How could you leave, you're standing all alone
Knowin' I could not do this on my own
I can't do this no more and how you broke me before
I just can't be around you and let you hurt me anymore
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
(If I let you in again, you'd only tear my heart, I know)
I don't wanna do it again
(I can't do this)
I don't wanna love you again
(I can't love you)
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
(Just can't be around you, yeah)
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
(Tear me apart)
I don't wanna do it again
I don't wanna love you again
(Oh no)
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
Silentcontrol ZX
LYRICS
Girl, I thought that I was trippin' when I asked you to stay
But now, I know I was just crazy to let you treat me that way
I put you first in my life
You brought the worst in my life
See, I'm tired of playin' games with you just like a child
You had every opportunity to give me your smile
I can't do this no more and how you broke me before
I just can't be around you and let you hurt me anymore
Chorus:
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
I don't wanna do it again
I don't wanna love you again
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
How could I consider taking you back again
I trusted you and I'm bitter I'd love you more than I can
I put you first in my life
You brought the worst in my life
And I'm tired of waiting all night long 'til you come home or call
And you'd apologize and make it seem alright when you're sorry at all
I can't see you no more, already tried that before
I just can't be around you, girl, I'm closing the door
Chorus:
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
I don't wanna do it again
I don't wanna love you again
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
Anything you'd needed, I was there for you
There was nothin' I would not do
How could you leave, you're standing all alone
Knowin' I could not do this on my own
I can't do this no more and how you broke me before
I just can't be around you and let you hurt me anymore
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
(If I let you in again, you'd only tear my heart, I know)
I don't wanna do it again
(I can't do this)
I don't wanna love you again
(I can't love you)
Every time I'm around you, I let down my guard
(Just can't be around you, yeah)
So when I come around you, I cover my heart
If I let you in again, you'd only tear me apart
(Tear me apart)
I don't wanna do it again
I don't wanna love you again
(Oh no)
Can't be around you
Around you, around you
ivanevane12
Thank god for youtube, I found this song. I have fallen in love with this song since the moment I heard it at 97.1 (which was campus radio then), and I just have to have it on my playlist. You guys, make more songs like this one. Such a nice song. I can only wish for more OPM tracks like this.
SilenceOfTheLAN
Do you guys have chords / tabs for your album? I can't find my CD anymore and i've been trying to learn this and the other tagalog songs. I remember watching you guys at Ratsky!
Paula Perez
ang tagal kong hinanap to!!!!!!!!!! i love this song :)
angeliiiem
goosebumps! i was 1st yr highschool when i first heard this song! 2001
Tep Ligot
grabe! i missed you guys! buo pa ba group niyo?
Jaypee Colada
nice version from tribe of levi like it. Originally from Brownstone (all female group) wayback in the 90's
Jen
i sooooo love this song! where can i get a copy? can you give me please? hihi! thanks! :)
ann Relloque
ganda ng song.....
ariss albao
My pinoy version pala to! Galing ;))