Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
New Day
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bring in the groove
I want to dedicate this to those who never made it
Yo but college wasn't for some of us
So we joined the service
I seen a kid get murdered in Nam listening to Elvis
But on the out looking in
Things stay the same
But at the same vein
Looking out the whole world's changed
So keep your head up
Don't get caught up in the fast bucks
And find your mom crying while your lying in a black tux
Trust me
We don't need no education says a young man
Sitting in class (sitting in class)
School is out 3 o'clock on the dot
He had beef with some kids and he got shot, oh Lord
Turn on the television
I'm watching Martin Luther King who had a dream, oh
So take this dream and apply it to your life
Even though we know the ghetto's rough
But we got to
1 - Keep your head up
(Uh keep your head up)
Cause a new day will come
(Uh-huh, uh-huh)
And look towards the sun
(Look towards the sun)
Even when the darkness shall come
(Ooh) It's real son
(Ooh) To my people living Life it's real son
I turn the page
What's the news today
People getting fired, walking on a wire
Looting on the streets cause the kid's gotta eat
Oh, oh turn around and look at the hour glass
I gotta get it straight
Before it's too late
Cause I don't want to be behind that gates
Keep your head up
(Uh keep your head up)
Cause a new day will come
(Uh-huh, uh-huh)
And look towards the sun
Even when the darkness shall come
2 - All my people in the back
Mama, mama
You know you raised me with no father figure
(Didn't ya)
I want to take this time to thank you
For giving me life, oh yeah
Mama, mama
You know you raised me with no father figure
(Didn't ya)
I want to take this time to thank you
Even though I'm doing Life
Alright
(Ooh) It's real son, alright
(Ooh) Can't flee
(Ooh)All my people doing time
(Ooh)People in the back playing cards
(Ooh)Don't lose your money yeah
Yeah tell them don't lose your money, c'mon, c'mon
Repeat 1
Repeat 2
(Ooh) For my people doing time (alright)
(Ooh) For my people doing time (alright)
The lyrics to Wyclef Jean and Bono’s song “New Day” touch on issues of perseverance and struggle, particularly for those who never made it through the educational system. The song also addresses issues of violence and poverty in communities, with a call to keep one’s head up and move towards a brighter future. The first verse speaks to the experiences of those who never received a diploma or degree, referring to the military as an alternative path. The lyrics depict the horrors of war and the impact of violence on youth, highlighting the pervasive nature of struggle in communities.
The second verse draws on the imagery of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, urging listeners to apply the dream of equality and justice in their daily lives. The chorus repeats the call to keep one’s head up and have faith in a new day, even during times of darkness, while the bridge pays homage to single mothers who have raised children without a father figure.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the struggles and obstacles that many individuals face, particularly those in marginalized communities, and a call to persevere and hold onto hope for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
What we gon' do right now is go back, way back
Bring in the groove
Let's reminisce about old times and get into a nostalgic mood.
I want to dedicate this to those who never made it
>From kindergarten to the 12th I never graduated
Yo but college wasn't for some of us
So we joined the service
I seen a kid get murdered in Nam listening to Elvis
But on the out looking in
Things stay the same
But at the same vein
Looking out the whole world's changed
So keep your head up
Don't get caught up in the fast bucks
And find your mom crying while your lying in a black tux
Trust me
This song is dedicated to those who faced obstacles in life and couldn't complete formal education. Some of us joined the military and witnessed terrible things. Despite things staying the same, the outside world is changing. Don't get too caught up in chasing money and material things, or else you'll end up dead and your mother will be crying at your funeral.
We don't need no education says a young man
Sitting in class (sitting in class)
School is out 3 o'clock on the dot
He had beef with some kids and he got shot, oh Lord
A young man, frustrated with the education system, declares that he doesn't need education. He then leaves school but ends up getting shot due to some disputes with other kids.
Turn on the television
I'm watching Martin Luther King who had a dream, oh
So take this dream and apply it to your life
Even though we know the ghetto's rough
But we got to
Watch Martin Luther King's famous speech and apply his message of hope and equality to your own life, despite the difficulties of living in a tough neighborhood.
1 - Keep your head up
(Uh keep your head up)
Cause a new day will come
(Uh-huh, uh-huh)
And look towards the sun
(Look towards the sun)
Even when the darkness shall come
Keep pushing through difficult times and always look towards a better future, even when things seem dark and hopeless.
(Ooh) It's real son
(Ooh) To my people living Life it's real son
I turn the page
What's the news today
People getting fired, walking on a wire
Looting on the streets cause the kid's gotta eat
Oh, oh turn around and look at the hour glass
I gotta get it straight
Before it's too late
Cause I don't want to be behind that gates
Life is hard and it's tough to make a living. Things like people getting laid off, people stealing, and time ticking away make it important for me to get my life together before I get locked up.
2 - All my people in the back
Mama, mama
You know you raised me with no father figure
(Didn't ya)
I want to take this time to thank you
For giving me life, oh yeah
Mama, mama
You know you raised me with no father figure
(Didn't ya)
I want to take this time to thank you
Even though I'm doing Life
Alright
Shoutout to all the people out there with absent fathers, especially to my mother who raised me without a father figure. I want to thank you for giving me life, and I love you even though I'm doing time in prison.
(Ooh) It's real son, alright
(Ooh) Can't flee
(Ooh)All my people doing time
(Ooh)People in the back playing cards
(Ooh)Don't lose your money yeah
Yeah tell them don't lose your money, c'mon, c'mon
Being in prison is hard and there's no escape from it. Shoutout to all my people who are serving time or playing cards in the back. Don't lose your money while gambling.
Repeat 1
Repeat 2
(Ooh) For my people doing time (alright)
(Ooh) For my people doing time (alright)
Repeating the chorus twice as a reminder to keep pushing forward, and a vow of support and love to all the people serving prison time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WYCLEF JEAN, JERRY DUPLESSIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind