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U. Srinivas / M. Brook / D. Sylvian Lyrics


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This speech is my recital I think it's very vital
To rock (a rhyme) that's right (on time)
It's Tricky is the title here we go

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky, it's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky, tricky (Tricky) tricky

I met this little girlie, her hair was kinda curly
Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me
Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said "It's not that easy"

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky (How is it D?) It's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky, Tricky (Tricky) Tricky

In New York the people talk and try to make us rhyme
They really (hawk) but we just (walk) because we have no time
And in the city it's a pity 'cause we just can't hide
Tinted windows don't mean nothin', they know who's inside

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky,(How is it D?) Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky, Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky) huh!

When I wake up people take up mostly all of my time
I'm not singin', phone keep ringin' 'cause I make up a rhyme
I'm not braggin', people naggin' 'cause they think I'm a star
Always tearin' what I'm wearin', I think they're goin' too far
A girl named Carol follows Daryll every gig we play
Then D dissed her and dismissed her, now she's jockin' Jay
I ain't lyin', girls be cryin' 'cause I'm on TV
They even bother my poor father 'cause he's down with me

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...(How is it?) Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky, Tricky (Tricky)

We are not thugs (we don't use drugs) but you assume (on your own)
They offer coke (and lots of dope) but we just leave it alone




It's like that y'all (y'all), but we don't quit
You keep on (rock!) shock! 'cause this is it

Overall Meaning

The song "It's Tricky" by Run-DMC is a classic hip-hop track that speaks about the challenges of being a popular rapper in a city like New York. The lyrics begin with the rapper stating that his speech is his recital, and it is vital to rock a rhyme that's right on time. He explains that it's tricky to do this, and it's the title of the song. The second verse states that the rapper met a girl and had to leave early in the morning. He also talks about how girls are sleazy and how he needs to work hard to rock a rhyme. In the chorus, the rapper repeats that it's tricky to rock a rhyme that's right on time. The third verse speaks about how people try to make them rhyme in New York, but they have no time. Finally, the rapper talks about how he is often bothered by people because he's on TV, and they even bother his father.


Line by Line Meaning

This speech is my recital I think it's very vital
The following performance is my moment to shine, and it is extremely important to me.


To rock (a rhyme) that's right (on time)
To perform a perfectly timed musical composition.


It's Tricky is the title here we go
The song we are about to perform is called 'It's Tricky', and here we begin.


It's Tricky to rock a rhyme to rock a rhyme that's right on time
Performing music that precisely rhymes and meets the required timing is a difficult task.


It's Tricky, it's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
The difficulty of performing the music is repeatedly emphasized.


I met this little girlie, her hair was kinda curly
I met a girl with curly hair.


Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
I visited her home and left early in the morning.


These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me
These girls are very promiscuous and only seek their own pleasure.


Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said "It's not that easy"
They suggested that we spend time together and make music, but I told them that it's not easy.


In New York the people talk and try to make us rhyme
When we're in New York, people try to encourage us to perform music.


They really (hawk) but we just (walk) because we have no time
They are really pushy, but we simply ignore them because we're busy.


And in the city it's a pity 'cause we just can't hide
It's unfortunate because we can't go unnoticed in the city.


Tinted windows don't mean nothin', they know who's inside
Having dark car windows doesn't matter, people still know who's inside.


When I wake up people take up mostly all of my time
When I wake up, people demand most of my time.


I'm not singin', phone keep ringin' 'cause I make up a rhyme
I'm not singing, but my phone keeps ringing because people want me to make up a rhyme for them.


I'm not braggin', people naggin' 'cause they think I'm a star
I'm not boasting, but people keep harassing me because they think I'm a celebrity.


A girl named Carol follows Daryll every gig we play
There's a girl named Carol who follows Daryll every time we perform.


Then D dissed her and dismissed her, now she's jockin' Jay
Daryll insulted her and ignored her, and now she's giving Jay attention.


I ain't lyin', girls be cryin' 'cause I'm on TV
I'm not lying, girls cry when they see me on TV.


They even bother my poor father 'cause he's down with me
They even bother my father because he's associated with me.


We are not thugs (we don't use drugs) but you assume (on your own)
We don't use drugs or live up to the stereotype of thugs, but you're assuming that we do.


They offer coke (and lots of dope) but we just leave it alone
People offer us cocaine and other drugs, but we decline and leave them alone.


It's like that y'all (y'all), but we don't quit
That's the way it is, but we won't stop making music.


You keep on (rock!) shock! 'cause this is it
Keep listening and enjoying the music because this is what it's all about.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH SIMMONS, DARRYL MCDANIELS, JASON MIZELL, RICK RUBIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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