For Real
Tricky & DJ Muggs & Grease Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too many films for real
And something else you take too seriously
Your record deal
A record deal pays bills
Pays bills and feeds a family
And your profile is too big
Too many films for real
You watch too many films, too many films for real
Don't get me wrong, I know you got guns and your not scared to use them
But is there money being made around these guns or lives until you lose them
You watch too many films, films for real
You watch too many films, films for real
Some of those people have to live that life, for real
I don't have to, I got a record deal
For real, you heard, I chill and smoke herb
And how about these sexy singers, sex gods, talking about hitting girls in a turn
You're fantastic, you're super sperm
Yeah, I'm a player hater, I hate when players can't take their turn
And when a record company drops me, that's when I learn
It's not real, it's just passing time
It's not real, all I do is rhyme
It's not real, it's just passing time
All I do, all I do is rhyme
You heard, you heard
"You go Romeo" girls say
You look tall in the video
And the color girl sings
Get money
Get money
Get money
Get money
And no one sings the blues and everyone sings the greens
Someone said keep your eye on the prize
How you lose the dream
Who am I to say, I know you need cash... in this hundred yard dash
I moved awhile ago and past through New York
I'll be back in a minute, it's my turn to talk
For Real, you heard
The song "For Real" by Tricky, DJ Muggs, and Grease is a critique of the music industry and the glorification of violence in music. The lyrics address the idea that many artists take their image too seriously and try to emulate what they see in movies rather than living authentic lives. The lines "You watch too many films, too many films for real" and "Don't get me wrong, I know you got guns and your not scared to use them / But is there money being made around these guns or lives until you lose them" call out the hypocrisy of rappers who brag about gun violence but are not actually living a gangster lifestyle.
The song also touches on the idea that a record deal can be both a blessing and a curse. Tricky notes that a record deal can pay bills and feed a family but also creates a false sense of self-importance. He questions how artists can claim to be part of a "crime family" when they are only playing a character in their music. The line "It's not real, all I do is rhyme" drives this point home.
Line by Line Meaning
You watch too many films
You consume an excessive amount of media depicting violence and crime
Too many films for real
Your fixation with these films has begun to impact your actions in real life
And something else you take too seriously
You place too much importance on material success and recognition
Your record deal
Your source of income and status as an artist
A record deal pays bills
Your record deal is necessary to provide for your basic needs and those of your family
Pays bills and feeds a family
Your music career is crucial for financial stability and security
And your profile is too big
Your public persona and reputation draw unwanted attention and potential danger
How ya gonna be a crime family
It's impossible to navigate criminal activity and maintain a successful music career
Don't get me wrong, I know you got guns and your not scared to use them
I acknowledge that you possess firearms and are willing to use them
But is there money being made around these guns or lives until you lose them
Is your involvement with firearms financially beneficial or putting your life at risk?
Some of those people have to live that life, for real
Some individuals do not have a choice but to participate in criminal activity for survival
I don't have to, I got a record deal
I have the privilege of not being forced to partake in dangerous activities due to my successful music career
For real, you heard, I chill and smoke herb
I truly relax and unwind by smoking cannabis
And how about these sexy singers, sex gods, talking about hitting girls in a turn
I am dismayed by male musicians discussing violence against women in their music
You're fantastic, you're super sperm
You have unrealistic expectations of your own sexual prowess and virility
Yeah, I'm a player hater, I hate when players can't take their turn
I dislike individuals who engage in promiscuous behavior and cannot handle rejection
And when a record company drops me, that's when I learn
I will only understand the true nature of the music industry if I lose my record deal
It's not real, it's just passing time
The music industry is not a reflection of reality, but rather a form of entertainment
All I do, all I do is rhyme
My entire career revolves around the creation of music and lyrics
You go Romeo girls say
Some women may have a romanticized view of male musicians
You look tall in the video
Music videos can distort reality and create a false sense of identity
Get money
The pursuit of financial gain is a priority in the music industry
And no one sings the blues and everyone sings the greens
Musicians prioritize financial success over emotional expression
Someone said keep your eye on the prize
An individual advised me to maintain focus on my ultimate goal
How you lose the dream
It's easy to become disillusioned and lose sight of one's aspirations
Who am I to say, I know you need cash... in this hundred yard dash
I cannot judge others for prioritizing financial gain in a highly competitive industry
I moved awhile ago and past through New York
I recently relocated from New York City
I'll be back in a minute, it's my turn to talk
I will resume speaking following a brief interruption
For Real, you heard
This is a sincere statement, and I hope you take it seriously
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind