Tell Me Why
Will Smith (feat. Mary J. Blige) Lyrics

Whyyyyyy, whyyyyyy
Expressing confusion and frustration towards the events happening in the world

I really wish I could explain it baby
Expressing the desire to make sense of the chaos in the world

It's just the world is kinda crazy baby
Acknowledging the chaotic nature of the world

Ain't no pretty way to paint it baby
Recognizing the harsh reality of the world and its events

Don't cry, dry your eyes
Encouraging others to be strong and not let the chaos of the world bring them down

September 11th I woke up about 7 AM
Recalling the personal experience of the 9/11 attack

West coast time, french toast and my turkey bacon
Providing context to the time of day and the author's breakfast

Takin' my time awakin, turnin' my TV on
Describing the author's morning routine

To my surprise, saw what everybody in the world saw
Describing the moment of realization about the 9/11 attack

Me and my children, images were chillin'
Describing the impact of watching the news about 9/11 with his children

My son said - daddy were there people in that building?
Recalling his son's question about the attack and death toll

A cold sweat, frozen with a lump in my chest
Describing the author's emotional reaction to his son's question

I heard his question, couldn't bring my lips to say yes to him
Explaining the author's inability to answer his son's question

That night at my son's side, he cried
Describing the author's son's emotional reaction to the attack

And prayed for the ones who died in the World Trade
Describing the author's son's prayer for the victims

His palms to God, seeds of qualms with God
Describing the author's son's questioning of God's role in the attack

He just, kept on pressin' me, wanna know why
Explaining how the son continued to ask why the attack happened

Then one week later our bombs were dropped
Recalling the U.S decision to bomb in response to the 9/11 attack

We seein' them, on CNN, they just won't stop
Describing how the attack and aftermath were portrayed on the news

The infrared, images of brutal attack
Describing the graphic images of war being shown on TV

He said "Daddy now we killin' 'em back," right right
Describing his son's reaction to the news of bombing in response to the 9/11 attack

Souls are captured (souls are captured)
Expressing the idea that people are becoming trapped and lost in the chaos of the world

Dreams are stolen (dreams are stolen)
Acknowledging how the traumatic events of the world can steal people's hopes and dreams

Hearts are broken (hearts are broken)
Describing the emotional toll of the chaotic events happening in the world

Evil plaguin' he rewardin'
Commenting on how evil seems to reap rewards in the world

Hate surrender (hate surrender)
Encouraging people to let go of hate

Love exalted! (Love exalted!)
Emphasizing the love and positivity that should be promoted

Hope elated! (hope elated!)
Encouraging people to have hope and stay positive

Negativity destroyed and..
Promoting the idea of eliminating negative emotions and energy

Honest to God, why is the bomb always gettin' the last word
Questioning why violent acts like bombing always seem to have the final say

and why, did her uncles have to molest her
Questioning the cruel and immoral actions of people, such as sexual abuse

and why, did all them cops have to be shootin' to kill?
Questioning the violent tendencies of law enforcement

And why, did all them priests have to act so ill?
Questioning the controversial actions of religious leaders

Tell me why did James Byrd Jr. have to be touched?
Questioning the hate crimes and violence that occur in the world

Tell my why did Malcolm and Martin depart from us
Questioning why influential leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated

Tell me why did the sniper make that little boy shoot
Questioning the senseless violence that takes innocent lives

And why, is human life always denied for loot?
Questioning the underlying motivators behind violent actions

Tell me WHY did MANDELA have to live in a cage
Questioning the unjust treatment of influential figures such as Nelson Mandela

Why did my brother Sterling have to die at that age
Expressing the personal impact of losing someone to violence at a young age

Tell me why did Reginald Denny deserve his fate
Questioning the justification behind violent acts such as the beating of Reginald Denny during the LA riots

And why the fuck can't love, seem to defeat hate?
Expressing frustration with how difficult it seems to be to eliminate hate and promote love

Tell me why is it so hard for all the children to eat?
Questioning the root cause of poverty and hunger in the world

Why did 'Pac and Biggie Smalls have to fall in the street?
Questioning the senseless violence that takes the lives of musicians like Tupac and Notorious BIG

Tell me why did Jam Master Jay have to go that way?
Questioning the reasons behind the death of Jam Master Jay, a famous DJ

Please, what am I supposed to say my kids when they say
Expressing the challenge of explaining the chaos of the world to his children

Can't explain it baby life is just really crazy
Acknowledging the unpredictability and chaos of life

I mean if it's world wars or the life of a little baby
Highlighting the contrast between global conflict and the innocence of children

We got more stores than they got rice under buddha lazy
Critiquing the excess and consumerism of the western world

You live four scores and still it be drivin' you crazy
Commenting on how even with long lives, people can still be overwhelmed by the chaos of the world

But for me I try to see the button side
Expressing the author's tendency to look at the brighter side of things

Sometimes it be like the goodness be tryin' to hide
Acknowledging that it can be difficult to find positivity in the midst of chaos

or tryin' to flee, but it can't, it's deep inside
Suggesting that goodness is an intrinsic part of humanity and cannot be completely eradicated

Sweetie you be the light for others, make 'em believe in God
Encouraging others to embrace a positive outlook and spread positivity to others