Ego
a Tribe Lyrics

Ego, ego
Repeating the word ego to emphasize its significance and omnipresence in one's mind

Skippin', trippin' in my mind
The ego is constantly jumping around and causing distractions in one's thoughts

Trippin', trippin', trippin', trippin', trippin'
The ego is overwhelming and repetitive, causing one to constantly stumble and lose their balance

I got one, you got one, and now we equal
Everyone has an ego, making us all equal in the sense that we are all battling with our own egos

Sometimes it makes you trip out on your people
The ego can cause one to become distrustful or suspicious of those around them

Sometimes it has connotations of evil
The ego can have negative and harmful connotations, leading someone to act cruelly or recklessly without considering the consequences

Sometimes niggas call on it when they need to
Some people rely on their ego to get through difficult situations or to make decisions

It's called the ego
Reiterating the name of this powerful force within us

Ay, it's hard to really make the subject positively stated
It's difficult to talk about the ego in a positive manner due to its often damaging effects on oneself and others

Some may hate it and some may overrate it
People hold differing opinions about the value and impact of their ego

It's a top story and you rarely see a trend
The ego is always present and relevant, but it is not something that is necessarily talked about or acknowledged often

So all you psychoanalysts, pull out your pad and pen, it's called the ego
Addressing the psychological field and encouraging analysis of the ego's impact and complexities

Come up with an idea, and no one seems to get it
People's egos can cause them to be misunderstood or not appreciated for their unique ideas and talents

Then every time you mention it, they stare like you're two-headed
The ego can lead one to feel isolated and ostracized when their thoughts and ideas are not understood or appreciated by others

But one day in your cubicle your idea really comes to view
After struggling with being understood, one's idea or talent may finally be recognized and appreciated

Your boss is walking by, he sees it too and he takes it from you
One's ego can be deflated and undermined by others, even those in positions of authority and success

She put you on the aces of all the stripper places
Someone with power and influence may manipulate or exploit someone else's talents or skills for their own gain

And has the kinda clientele where niggas trick off very well
The person in control has a profitable and influential following of wealthy individuals

You beg her and you plead her and you tuck away your ego
One may compromise their own values and desires in order to keep peace or hold onto their talent, leading them to suppress their true self and their ego

She knows you need the chicken and she knows that she's your people
The person controlling and exploiting someone else's talent knows that the other person needs money and therefore takes advantage of them

They call you fat and lazy, your commentary crazy
Others may use hurtful words or opinions to challenge and undermine someone's ego and self-esteem

They photoshop your face on a box of McCormick gravy
Others may use mocking or manipulative tactics to offend or humiliate someone and belittle their ego

And now that inner voice, the ego, making you get wavy
One's ego can trigger certain emotions or behaviors, leading to an inconsistent or turbulent state of mind

Change your diet, hit the gym and say 'What were you saying to me?'
Challenging and pushing back against the negative or oppressive effects of one's ego, and taking control of their own health and well-being

The ego makes you do it, it makes you face the music
The ego can be a force that drives someone to take action and confront their own flaws or imperfections

Or run away from life so fast that you'll outsprint Carl Lewis
The ego can also lead someone to flee from their problems or responsibilities, avoiding the consequences of their actions

It has you think your deceptive ways of being are the truest
The ego can be duplicitous and manipulative, leading someone to believe that their deceitful actions and thoughts are true and justified

Had the prettiest brown eyes but you change them shits to the bluest
The ego can drive someone to make drastic changes to their appearance, personality, or other aspects of themselves in order to satisfy their own egotistical desires

Ooh, Jack White
An interlude that breaks up the thoughts on the ego and transitions to a new set of lyrics

A celebrated genius, my dick game's the meanest
The ego can lead someone to believe they are better or superior to others in various ways or aspects of their life

I'll take the girl that's augmented, new me is invented
The ego can drive someone to pursue superficial or shallow relationships, and to change themselves in order to impress or attract a specific type of person

I'll take the biggest house in Calabases
The ego can create unrealistic and grandiose desires or goals, such as owning the biggest and most expensive house in a wealthy neighborhood

Anyone for Michael Phelps swimming classes?
The ego can cause someone to seek out and pursue activities or skills that are highly prestigious or celebrated by others

You need it when you're balling, equally when you're falling
The ego is present and influential both in moments of success and moments of failure or struggle

Or when those kids in school on your locker they get to scrawling
The ego can be threatened or harmed by others, and can be amplified by negative or harmful social situations such as bullying

Epithets that's racist and stupid and mean in nature
Racist or prejudiced attacks on one's identity or ego can be especially hurtful and damaging

Something that can make you feel stronger when people hate ya
However, the ego can also give one the necessary strength and confidence to withstand these types of attacks or challenges

Ego make you violent, or govern like a tyrant
The ego can cause someone to become aggressive, violent, or tyrannical in their actions or beliefs

Or switch ya dictionary's word from vibrant to vivrant
The ego can lead someone to believe they know more than they do, and to twist words or meanings to fit their own ideas or desires

Fool the thirsty people, selling tap water in bottles
The ego can lead someone to manipulate or deceive others in order to benefit themselves or their own image

Fool a girl with NYU scholarship and now she models
The ego can cause someone to mislead or take advantage of others, even going so far as to manipulate someone's future and life trajectory

Ego has no ending, has people pretending
The ego is a never-ending force that can cause someone to become fake or insincere in their actions and interactions with others

Religious zealots get perilous 'cause God's will they're defending
Even religion and spirituality can be distorted or corrupted by one's ego, leading to dangerous or destructive behavior

This is the last Tribe and our ego hopes that you felt us
The song acknowledges the power and impact of one's ego, and hopes that the audience was able to understand its influence

And closing for our ego, we know only God can help us
The ego can be overwhelming and difficult to control on one's own, and may require a higher power or influence in order to be truly understood and managed