The founders of the Wu-Tang Clan were RZA, GZA, and Ol' Dirty Bastard, who had previously formed the group Force of the Imperial Master (later known as All In Together Now after the release of a popular single by that name). The group attracted the attention of some notable figures in the industry, including Biz Markie, but did not manage to secure a record deal. After the crew dissolved, GZA and RZA (then known as Prince Rakeem) embarked on their solo careers with Cold Chillin' Records and Tommy Boy Records respectively, but to little success. Their frustration with the workings of the hip hop music industry would provide the main inspiration to Wu-Tang Clan's revolutionary business plan. According to The Wu-Tang Manual, at the group's inception, RZA promised the members that if he had total control of the Wu-Tang empire, it would conquer the hip hop world within a dynastic cycle, after which he would relinquish his total control.
Wu-Tang Clan was gradually assembled in late 1992 from friends and accomplices from around Staten Island, New York, with RZA as the de-facto leader and the group's main producer. Two of the cousins, GZA (pronounced Jizza) and RZA (pronounced Rizza), created their new Wu-Tang aliases by mimicking the sound that the words "genius" and "razor" would make when scratched on a turntable.
"Wu-Tang" comes from the name of the Taoist holy mountain Wu Dang in northwest Hubei Province in central China; it was also the site of the Ming Dynasty Purple Imperial City built during the reign of the Yongle Emperor in the early 15th century. RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard adopted the name for the group after seeing the kung fu film Shaolin and Wu Tang, which features a school of warriors trained in Wu-Tang style. The group's debut album loosely adopted a Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang theme, dividing the album into Shaolin and Wu-Tang sections and using dialogue excerpts as skits.
The group have also developed various backronyms for the name (as hip hop pioneers like KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane did with their names), including "We Usually Take All the Niggas' Garments," "Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game" and "Wisdom, Universe, Truth, Allah, Nation, and God".
Method Man has also mentioned that the "Wu" is the sound a sword makes when cutting through the air, and "Tang" is the sound it makes against a shield.
The Clan first became known to hip hop fans, and to major record labels, in 1993 (see 1993 in music) following the release of the independent single "Protect Ya Neck", which immediately gave the group a sizeable underground following. Though there was some difficulty in finding a record label that would sign Wu-Tang Clan while still allowing each member to record solo albums with other labels, Loud/RCA finally agreed, releasing their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), in late 1993. This album was popular and critically-acclaimed, though it took some time to gain momentum. Though hip hop had long had a gritty texture, the surreal aggression and minimalist production of 36 Chambers nevertheless had a huge impact on the genre, and was to prove massively influential over the next decade. By the beginning of the 21st century, the album had become a regular fixture on "Best Albums of the 90s" lists as well as a frequent choice for "Best Albums of All Time" lists. The success of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) established the group as a creative and influential force in early 1990s hip hop, allowing GZA, RZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa to negotiate solo contracts.
www.wutang-corp.com
For Heavens Sake
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
It's the Wu, creepin' in the shadows
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
(Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang)
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Sir I, Excalibur
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
(Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang)
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Yo, hey yo my rap style swing like Willie Mays
My eyes Purple Haze, my solar razor burn through shades
My grenades raid the airwaves, catch this rap page
I glide like, hovercrafts on the Everglades
Boom master, with the faster blade, track slasher
Manufacture poems to microphones, bones fracture
Limited edition composition spark friction
Non-fiction, the calm bomb keep your arm distant
Zero tolerance, dominant intelligence
Wu original, true colors step from the melanin
The most high, most try, to get close by
And overthrow I, but choke, with they hopes up high
I circulate the tri-state and vibrate beyond the Richter
Flies sense to flock when they spot this live nigga
The crowd seducer black your third eye before I lose ya
Verbal high I leave stars in the eyes of Medusa
Top ten, parley like Cochran, it's often
Narrow margin, of your odds to dodge the marksman
Murder rap, kill you soft like Roberta Flack
Words attack like a British bulldog, observe the stacks
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Now all pay tribute to this entity
A spark that surges through the undergrowth
Overwhelmin' the populace from the entry
The Wu-Tang Dynasty, has emerged
From this elite fleet
I was appointed to strike the vital nerve
Mouths tend to utter and speak empty words
Observe the magnetic attraction as we breathe
Seeds of MC's at these fake ass industry niggas
Feed off, the chrome mic tend to squeeze off
And spray, an array of shots
That travel downwind, just respect pyrhiffic pen
As I send, the minds of the weak
To rise and take power I blew tower-ing over the land
As we stand, expanding our cream
A dollar to every grain of sand
Let the mind use the physical as planned
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Yo, yo, this is Beirut
Try to comprehend check out my new suit
Gods blend aim take fire pure destruction
Dissappear from here, my year, drop the stupid LP's everywhere
Fallin' out the sky tall sniper
Raps by Cappadonna hit the countryside
Poetry whirlpool, Rza and True collide
We produce article exception to the rule
We the black men that struck oil, the hard boiled
Cats that made that Watergate thing go spoiled
The heavy-handed, locked down stranded with Cyrus
Wu Pirates, sneak inside the club, low eyes
Low down dirty, twelve thirty, night time crawlers
Off-the-wallers, basketball gun brawlers
Smoked out throw both fists for nine-seven
Slang reverend, put the best work in
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
"Oh baby, for heavens sake"
The opening lines of Wu-Tang Clanβs iconic song, βFor Heavens Sake,β set the tone for the explosive, hard-hitting track that follows. With the groupβs trademark βWu-Tang, Wu-Tangβ callouts, the song introduces listeners to their world before diving into a flurry of lyrics. The song is an ode to the Wu-Tang Clanβs power and stature in the music industry, with references to their unique style and lyrical prowess throughout.
The verses of βFor Heavens Sakeβ are littered with imagery and metaphors that speak to the groupβs dominance. Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Cappadonna trade lines about their verbal acrobatics, with each rapper showcasing their distinctive style. The lyrics are dense and intricate, often requiring multiple listens to fully unpack. Lines like βI circulate the tri-state and vibrate beyond the Richterβ and βthe chrome mic tends to squeeze off and spray an array of shotsβ are visceral and intense, painting a picture of a group thatβs not to be messed with.
The chorus of the song, βOh baby, for heavens sake,β is a sample from the song βOnly Youβ by Teddy Pendergrass, which gives the song a soulful, nostalgic feel. The use of a sample also speaks to the Wu-Tang Clanβs love of old-school hip-hop and their ability to blend it with their own distinctive sound. Overall, βFor Heavens Sakeβ is a standout track from the Wu-Tang Clanβs second album, βWu-Tang Forever,β and a testament to their status as hip-hop legends.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, one two one two
Attention please, I'm about to start my rap
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
Representing Wu-Tang Clan
It's the Wu, creepin' in the shadows
We are here, but not everyone sees us
Oh baby, for heavens sake
This is a warning message that things are about to get serious
Sir I, Excalibur
I am a knight, armed with my lyrical sword
Yo, hey yo my rap style swing like Willie Mays
My flow is smooth and effortless
My eyes Purple Haze, my solar razor burn through shades
My eyes are red and I am ready to take on any challenge
My grenades raid the airwaves, catch this rap page
My lyrics explode onto the scene and take over the airwaves
I glide like, hovercrafts on the Everglades
My movement is fluid and effortless, like a hovercraft on water
Boom master, with the faster blade, track slasher
I am a master of my craft, my rhymes are sharp and swift
Manufacture poems to microphones, bones fracture
My rhymes are so powerful, they can break bones
Limited edition composition spark friction
My rhymes are unique and create a reaction
Non-fiction, the calm bomb keep your arm distant
My lyrics are truthful and powerful, so keep your distance
Zero tolerance, dominant intelligence
I have no patience for fools, my intelligence is unmatched
Wu original, true colors step from the melanin
We are the original Wu-Tang, our true colors come from within
The most high, most try, to get close by
Everyone wants to be close to greatness
And overthrow I, but choke, with they hopes up high
But they will fail in their attempt, as their hopes are unrealistic
I circulate the tri-state and vibrate beyond the Richter
My influence extends beyond the tri-state area and is felt strongly
Flies sense to flock when they spot this live nigga
When I'm on stage performing, the crowd swarms like flies to a light
The crowd seducer black your third eye before I lose ya
I am so captivating the crowd that I can temporarily blind them to reality
Verbal high I leave stars in the eyes of Medusa
My rhymes are so powerful they can turn those who oppose me to stone
Top ten, parley like Cochran, it's often
I am in the top ten of all rappers, I negotiate like a lawyer
Narrow margin, of your odds to dodge the marksman
Your chances of avoiding my lyrical attacks are slim
Murder rap, kill you soft like Roberta Flack
My rhymes are deadly, they will kill you softly like a Roberta Flack song
Words attack like a British bulldog, observe the stacks
My rhymes are powerful and relentless, you'd better notice or pay the price
Now all pay tribute to this entity
It's time to acknowledge the power of Wu-Tang Clan
A spark that surges through the undergrowth
We are a powerful force that is spreading through the music industry
Overwhelmin' the populace from the entry
Our impact is being felt by everyone who hears our music
The Wu-Tang Dynasty, has emerged
We are the new rulers of the music world
From this elite fleet
From our talented group
I was appointed to strike the vital nerve
I have been chosen to deliver the message that will resonate with the people
Mouths tend to utter and speak empty words
Most people talk a lot but say very little
Observe the magnetic attraction as we breathe
Our music is so powerful it draws people in
Seeds of MC's at these fake ass industry niggas
These industry players are not true MC's, they are imposters
Feed off, the chrome mic tend to squeeze off
They rely on their fancy equipment to create a sound
And spray, an array of shots
They fire off a barrage of rhymes
That travel downwind, just respect pyrhiffic pen
Their rhymes are basic and often unoriginal, they lack true artistry
As I send, the minds of the weak
My rhymes are powerful, they can inspire the weak to become strong
To rise and take power I blew tower-ing over the land
We are here to inspire and empower, to rise above and conquer
As we stand, expanding our cream
We are growing and expanding our success
A dollar to every grain of sand
Our wealth and influence is immeasurable
Let the mind use the physical as planned
We can accomplish anything we set our minds to
This is Beirut
This is a war zone, a place of danger and survival
Try to comprehend check out my new suit
You may underestimate me, but I am always one step ahead
Gods blend aim take fire pure destruction
We are powerful, godlike beings who can destroy our enemies
Dissappear from here, my year, drop the stupid LP's everywhere
Our music is so powerful, it will dominate the charts
Fallin' out the sky tall sniper
We are coming at our enemies from all angles
Raps by Cappadonna hit the countryside
My rhymes are spreading like wildfire
Poetry whirlpool, Rza and True collide
Our poetry is so powerful, it creates a whirlpool of emotions
We produce article exception to the rule
Our music is unique and defies all expectations
We the black men that struck oil, the hard boiled
We are powerful and successful, against all odds
Cats that made that Watergate thing go spoiled
We are powerful enough to bring down a president
The heavy-handed, locked down stranded with Cyrus
We are the most powerful, unstoppable force in the industry
Wu Pirates, sneak inside the club, low eyes
We are like pirates, sneaking into uncharted territories
Low down dirty, twelve thirty, night time crawlers
We work hard and are always on the move
Off-the-wallers, basketball gun brawlers
We are unconventional and unpredictable, we are warriors on the court and in the streets
Smoked out throw both fists for nine-seven
We are partying and celebrating our success in 1997
Slang reverend, put the best work in
We are the masters of slang, and we always deliver our best work
Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang, Wu, Tang
Representing Wu-Tang Clan
Oh baby, for heavens sake
This is a warning message that things are about to get serious
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DARRYL ROBERT HILL, ELGIN EVANDER TURNER, JASON HUNTER, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dauntesmith3677
Inspector just knows how to start a song right so precise with it always
@miguelpatrick79
This beat is crazy
@gravitymusicproductiongrou260
Rza went digital on this beat
@meekmozart5216
βThe crowd seducer, black ya third eye before I lose ya, verbal high leave styes in the eyes of Medusaβ π€―π³π£οΈπ₯π£οΈππΎ
@kingk4882
Summer '97. I was 13 yrs old and listened to the album every single day.
@harrykazarian5008
12 years old. Everyday
@WuBloodKin09
Much love to the godsβ¦.DECK murdered this joint!
@DaILLSpotTV
Owned it! Me and my boy used to pick an MVP of every track. This is one of the few we agreed on lol
@omniframe8612
Deck was blackin out on this joint.
@anthonyperkins9148
Still poppin in '23 till infinity