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.
Président
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
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To lead the eagle out the nest
A man say he gon' build a wall
And have Mexico pay for it all
And there's a riots every week
Their uniforms blue and the peoples on the streets
And everyone's living on the edge
'Cause you could be the next one walking with the dead
If I was president
I'll get elected on Friday
Assassinated on Saturday
Buried on Sunday
And on Monday everybody goes back to work
It's just an ordinary day
Ay, but I could be the president, and you could be the president
And she could be the president, and we could be the president
Her t-shirt says "Black Lives Matter"
The media is screaming all lives matter
Charlie got a gun up in his hands
Walk up into the school and then you hear the bang bang
And Suzanna from Alabama can't walk no more
'Cause she lost two legs in a war
And the USA they looking for the peace
All y'all got to do is smoke a little bit of weed
They don't want me to tell you about the secrecy
They don't want me to tell you about the conspiracy
They want to put a hole in my head like Kennedy
If I was president
Get elected on Friday
Assassinated on Saturday
Buried on Sunday
And on Monday everybody goes back to work
It's just an ordinary day
Ay, but I could be the president, and you could be the president
And she could be the president, and we could be the president
If I was president
Wyclef Jean's song "President" addresses issues of political corruption and social injustice in America, as seen through the eyes of the singer and shared through the stories of a variety of individuals. The first verse begins with an empowered woman who believes she will be the first to lead America out of its current social, political, and economic problems. However, she is immediately countered by a man who believes in building a wall to keep people out, rather than facing America's issues head-on. The song then describes the violence and unrest taking place in America, with riots happening every week and people on edge, afraid to be the next victim. The chorus repeats the phrase, "If I was president," emphasizing the frustration of the singer with the current state of the country.
As the song progresses, we hear about the Black Lives Matter movement and the way it has been discredited by those who claim that all lives matter equally. The narrative then shifts to a school shooting, and the story of Suzanna, who lost her legs in war. The song concludes with a critique of the American government and its use of weed as a distraction while keeping secrets from its people. The singer also references the assassination of JFK, implying that speaking out against political corruption carries a similar risk.
"President" was released in 1998 as part of Wyclef Jean's debut solo album "The Carnival." The song features a sample from "Sonata No. 8 in C Minor," composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. Jean wrote the song in response to his own experiences with corrupt politics in his native Haiti, as well as his observations of American politics. Today, the song continues to resonate with Americans who are disillusioned with the current state of politics and the country.
Line by Line Meaning
She say she gon' be the first and the next
To lead the eagle out the nest
She wants to be the first female president of the nation and lead it to success and freedom.
A man say he gon' build a wall
And have Mexico pay for it all
The man promises to build a wall to separate the country from its Southern neighbor, and make them pay for it.
And there's a riots every week
Their uniforms blue and the peoples on the streets
And everyone's living on the edge
'Cause you could be the next one walking with the dead
The constant riots and protests have caused tension between law enforcement and citizens, leading to a sense of fear and uncertainty for the future.
If I was president
I'll get elected on Friday
Assassinated on Saturday
Buried on Sunday
And on Monday everybody goes back to work
It's just an ordinary day
Ay, but I could be the president, and you could be the president
And she could be the president, and we could be the president
The current political climate is so unstable that even if someone becomes president, he or she may not be safe and may face repercussions for their actions. However, the song suggests that anyone, including the listener, could be president and make a change for the better.
Her t-shirt says "Black Lives Matter"
The media is screaming all lives matter
Charlie got a gun up in his hands
Walk up into the school and then you hear the bang bang
There is a divide in the country regarding racial equality, with the media pushing for all lives to matter, while the Black community is pressing for their voices to be heard. Meanwhile, school shootings remain a significant issue that needs to be addressed.
And Suzanna from Alabama can't walk no more
'Cause she lost two legs in a war
And the USA they looking for the peace
All y'all got to do is smoke a little bit of weed
They don't want me to tell you about the secrecy
They don't want me to tell you about the conspiracy
They want to put a hole in my head like Kennedy
The consequences of war are impactful, as shown through a veteran who lost her ability to walk due to her injuries. The government is supposedly searching for peace, but the song suggests that such a goal may not be easily achievable through current means. Additionally, the singer alleges the existence of hidden information and conspiracy theories, leading to potential danger for those who reveal such secrets.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: WYCLEF JEAN, JERRY DUPLESSIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind