What goes up
Tyrone Davis Lyrics
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Without saving a dime
Five little hungry babies
All in one room, crying
I thought I was so hip
(A big man)
A big man out in the world, yeah
I thought there was only
Two things in life to love for
A new car and big, fine girl
But I've had them both
Ooh, Lord, that's no joke
I had plenty of money in my pocket
Lord, when I used to always be broke
But I can't forget words my baby said
She said, what goes up
I know, one day has got to come down
Yeah, she said what goes around
Sure comes around, mm
What goes up
I know, one day has got to come down
Lord, have mercy
Now, bad luck has turned on me
I lost everything I had
No one has no sympathy for me
Ooh, they all glad to see me doing bad
I'm right back where I started
In my pocket, I don't have a dime
Girl, I know I failed that day
When I left you and the babies
In that one room, crying
A voice came to me
It came out of nowhere
It said, go home, go on back home, boy
I know there's somewhere there
That she'll care
But I can't forget the words my baby said
She said, what goes up
I know, one day has got to come down
Yeah, she said what goes around
Sure comes around, she said
What goes up
I know, one day has got to come down
Then she said, what goes around
Sure comes around, mmm
What goes up, you just watch and see
Don't it come back down
You got to reap just what you sow
What goes up, Lord, have mercy
Got to come back down
What goes around, sure comes around
What goes around, sure comes around
The lyrics to Tyrone Davis's song "What Goes Up" reflects the experience of a man who thought he had it all, a new car and a beautiful girl, but lost everything when bad luck struck. The song is a reflection on the cyclical nature of life and the consequences of one's actions.
The song begins with the singer lamenting his decision to leave his partner and five children in a small crowded room with no savings. He thought he was making the right decision by going after material possessions like a new car and a beautiful woman. However, in the end, it all came crashing down, and he had to face the consequence of his actions.
As he finds himself broke and alone, he hears a voice telling him to go back home where he might find love and care. The chorus of the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, highlighting that what goes up must come down, and what goes around will come back around. The singer's experiences illustrate the importance of love and relationships, as material possessions and superficial pleasure cannot provide the support and care that one needs in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I left you, oh Lord, have mercy
I left without thinking, and now I'm asking for forgiveness
Without saving a dime
I didn't save any money before leaving
Five little hungry babies
I left my spouse and our children in a difficult situation
All in one room, crying
My family is struggling and I am not there to help them
I thought I was so hip
I believed I was cool or had the answers
(A big man)
(A man of high status)
A big man out in the world, yeah
I was popular and successful in the world's eyes
I thought there was only
I believed there were only two things to live for
Two things in life to love for
Material possessions and attractive women
But I've had them both
I've had the things I thought were important
Ooh, Lord, that's no joke
That didn't bring me happiness or stability
I had plenty of money in my pocket
At one point, I was financially successful
Lord, when I used to always be broke
But my situation has changed, and I am now struggling financially
But I can't forget words my baby said
My partner gave me some advice I can't forget
She said, what goes up
She warned me that things that go up must come down
I know, one day has got to come down
Things can't always stay great forever
Yeah, she said what goes around
My actions will have consequences
Sure comes around, mm
And those consequences will come back to me
Now, bad luck has turned on me
Now I'm experiencing bad luck and misfortune
I lost everything I had
All the things I valued are now gone
No one has no sympathy for me
No one feels sorry for my situation
Ooh, they all glad to see me doing bad
In fact, some people may be happy to see me fail
I'm right back where I started
I've ended up back where I began
In my pocket, I don't have a dime
And now I'm broke
Girl, I know I failed that day
I acknowledge that I messed up when I left
When I left you and the babies
I abandoned my partner and children when they needed me
A voice came to me
I received a message, possibly a spiritual one
It came out of nowhere
The message was unexpected
It said, go home, go on back home, boy
The message told me to return home
I know there's somewhere there
I have someone who cares for me at home
That she'll care
I know that my partner will take care of me
But I can't forget the words my baby said
I can't forget my partner's advice
Then she said, what goes around
She reminded me that my actions have consequences
What goes up, you just watch and see
Things won't stay great forever
Don't it come back down
Everything has a way of balancing out in the end
You got to reap just what you sow
You'll experience the consequences of your actions
What goes up, Lord, have mercy
What goes up must come down, and I'm dealing with the consequences
What goes around, sure comes around
Your actions will have consequences that come back around to you
Writer(s): Leo Graham, John Sibley
Contributed by Isaac S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@osajiros
What goes up must come down
Yet my feet don't touch the ground
Seeing the world spinning upside down
A mighty crash without a sound
I can feel your every rage
Step aside I'll turn the page
Breaking through your crazy maze
Like a laser beam my eyes on you
Watch me rule the night away
Watch me save the day
Feel my storm is getting close
Heading your way
@patrickwashington3868
No one in The entertainment business could tell a story through songs like Tyrone Davis. Every song that was placed in front of him was well written & people everywhere could relate to what The Wonder Boy was singing about. What Goes Up bas surely got to come back down, What Goes around sure comes around. Tell It Like It Is.
Holla Back! T'Challa.
@patrickwashington3868
Has surely is what I meant.
@mr72rosalind
What goes around, sure enough comes around; what goes up, must come down; you reap what you sow. Lessons for life. A beautiful song for living life.
@johngreenaway3713
One of the best soul singers of the 70s had a fantastic voice
And i allways thought his songs had fabulous stories...
@lesyuen372
In my Top 10 soul tunes of all time. It has everything. If you've lived it you just know.
@bettyetorkpo3400
True
@lslucious01
2020 checking in
@michaelburkes4992
real music,got to love it
@1599maybole
After 40 years this came back to me 😀
@eddiejohnson3171
1599maybole and the