Power
kanye feat. dwele Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm living in that 21st century
Doing something mean to it
Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero need his theme music

No one man should have all that power
The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the power
(21st-century schizoid man)

The system broken, and the school's closed, the prisons open
We ain't got nothin' to lose, ma'fucka, we rollin'
Huh? Ma'fucka, we rollin'
With some light-skinned girls and some Kelly Rowlands
In this white man's world, we the ones chosen
So goodnight, cruel world, I'll see you in the mornin'
Huh? I'll see you in the mornin'
This is way too much, I need a moment

No one man should have all that power
The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the power
'Til then, fuck that, the world's ours

And they say, and they say
And they say, and they say
And they say, and they say
(21st-century schizoid man)

Fuck SNL and the whole cast
Tell 'em Yeezy said they can kiss my whole ass
More specifically, they can kiss my asshole
I'm an asshole? You niggas got jokes
You short-minded niggas thoughts is Napoleon
My furs is Mongolian, my ice brought the goalies in
Now I embody every characteristic of the egotistic
He knows he so fuckin' gifted
I just needed time alone, with my own thoughts
Got treasures in my mind but couldn't open up my own vault
My childlike creativity, purity and honesty
Is honestly being crowded by these grown thoughts
Reality is catching up with me
Taking my inner child, I'm fighting for custody
With these responsibilities that they entrusted me
As I look down at my diamond encrusted piece

Thinkin', no one man should have all that power
The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the powder
'Til then, fuck that, the world's ours

And they say, and they say
And they say, and they say
And they say, and they say
(21st-century schizoid man)

Colin Powells, Austin Powers
Lost in translation with a whole fuckin' nation
They say I was the abomination of Obama's nation
Well that's a pretty bad way to start the conversation
At the end of the day, goddammit, I'm killin' this shit
I know damn well y'all feeling this shit
I don't need your pussy, bitch, I'm on my own dick
I ain't gotta power trip, who you goin' home with?
How 'Ye doing? I'm surviving
I was drinking earlier, now I'm driving
Where the bad bitches, huh? Where y'all hiding?
I got the power make your life so exciting

Now this will be a beautiful death
I'm jumping out the window
I'm letting everything go
I'm letting everything go
Mmm, now this will be a beautiful death
I'm jumping out the window
I'm letting everything go
I'm letting everything go
Now this will be a beautiful death
Jumping out the window
Letting everything go
Letting everything go




You got the power to let power go?
(21st-century schizoid man)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kanye West's "Power" are about Kanye's own experiences and conflicts as a successful celebrity in the 21st century. In the first verse, he brags about his power and success, and how he does things better than anyone else. He acknowledges that he has haters, but he even enjoys their criticism because it sounds so good when they scream about his greatness. The chorus, however, is a reminder that none of us should have too much power to avoid tyranny, and that the ticking clock is a reminder of how fleeting the accumulation of power can be - no one person should be so obsessed with it.


The second verse, then, is Kanye criticizing the power dynamic of the society he lives in. The system is broken, the schools are closed, and the prisons are open - society offers no real opportunities or support to people, especially minority groups, and so Kanye's experiences will always be different than someone else's. Kanye knows that the "white man's world" doesn't belong to everyone, and it's only a select few who truly have the power in this world. He concludes by once again reminding himself (and us) that his power, no matter how great, is fleeting and cannot be solely relied upon.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm living in that 21st century
I exist in the current time period


Doing something mean to it
I am creating something impressive and unique


Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it
My creation is superior to anything that has been done before


Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
The negative feedback and criticism of others makes me feel more successful


I guess every superhero need his theme music
I need music that helps me feel powerful and confident, like a hero


No one man should have all that power
It is dangerous for one person to have too much influence or control


The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Time is running out, I am aware of the amount of time left to take action


Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the power
I am becoming overwhelmed by my own influence and authority


(21st-century schizoid man)
I am feeling disconnected from reality and society


The system broken, and the school's closed, the prisons open
The current social and political systems are not working and are failing people


We ain't got nothin' to lose, ma'fucka, we rollin'
We have nothing to lose, so we are taking risks and moving forward with confidence


Huh? Ma'fucka, we rollin'
We are making progress despite obstacles and challenges


With some light-skinned girls and some Kelly Rowlands
I am surrounded by beautiful women who are like Kelly Rowland


In this white man's world, we the ones chosen
Black people are succeeding and excelling despite racism and obstacles


So goodnight, cruel world, I'll see you in the mornin'
I am taking a break from the pressures and difficulties of life


Huh? I'll see you in the mornin'
I will come back refreshed and ready to continue


This is way too much, I need a moment
I am starting to feel overwhelmed and need a break


No one man should have all that power
It is dangerous for one person to have too much influence or control


The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Time is running out, I am aware of the amount of time left to take action


Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the power
I am becoming overwhelmed by my own influence and authority


'Til then, fuck that, the world's ours
Despite the challenges, we will continue to work towards success and claim our place in the world


And they say, and they say
People talk about me and gossip


(21st-century schizoid man)
I am feeling disconnected from reality and society


Fuck SNL and the whole cast
I am angry with the Saturday Night Live show and its performers


Tell 'em Yeezy said they can kiss my whole ass
I am insulting the show and its performers, saying they should kiss my rear end


More specifically, they can kiss my asshole
I am being crass and insulting towards the show and its performers


I'm an asshole? You niggas got jokes
People are making fun of me and calling me an asshole


You short-minded niggas thoughts is Napoleon
People who criticize me are not thinking clearly and are acting like Napoleon Bonaparte


My furs is Mongolian, my ice brought the goalies in
I have expensive clothing and jewelry that attracts attention


Now I embody every characteristic of the egotistic
I have developed an ego and am acting arrogantly


He knows he so fuckin' gifted
I am aware that I have talent and ability


I just needed time alone, with my own thoughts
I needed some time to think and reflect without interruption


Got treasures in my mind but couldn't open up my own vault
I have great ideas and creativity but struggle to access or express them


My childlike creativity, purity and honesty
My creativity, honesty, and purity are qualities I had as a child


Is honestly being crowded by these grown thoughts
My adult concerns and responsibilities are overshadowing my creativity and honesty


Reality is catching up with me
I am realizing that my responsibilities and challenges are becoming more difficult to handle


Taking my inner child, I'm fighting for custody
I am trying to regain my creativity, purity and honesty which I feel like I am losing


With these responsibilities that they entrusted me
I have been given important duties and obligations by others


As I look down at my diamond encrusted piece
I am admiring my expensive jewelry


Thinkin', no one man should have all that power
It is dangerous for one person to have too much influence or control


The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Time is running out, I am aware of the amount of time left to take action


Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the powder
I am becoming overwhelmed by my own influence and authority


'Til then, fuck that, the world's ours
Despite the challenges, we will continue to work towards success and claim our place in the world


And they say, and they say
People talk about me and gossip


(21st-century schizoid man)
I am feeling disconnected from reality and society


Colin Powells, Austin Powers
I am making a comparison between serious political figures and a comedic character


Lost in translation with a whole fuckin' nation
People are misunderstanding me or not understanding the situation


They say I was the abomination of Obama's nation
People criticized me and called me a shame for the country during the Obama administration


Well that's a pretty bad way to start the conversation
That is a negative and unfair way to introduce a discussion or criticism


At the end of the day, goddammit, I'm killin' this shit
Despite the criticism and challenges, I am still succeeding and doing a great job


I know damn well y'all feeling this shit
I am confident that people are enjoying and appreciating my work


I don't need your pussy, bitch, I'm on my own dick
I don't need anyone's approval or support, I am confident in my own abilities


I ain't gotta power trip, who you goin' home with?
I am not trying to control or manipulate anyone, but I am still successful and attractive


How 'Ye doing? I'm surviving
I am doing well despite the challenges and criticism


I was drinking earlier, now I'm driving
I was not responsible earlier, but now I am taking control and being responsible


Where the bad bitches, huh? Where y'all hiding?
I am looking for attractive women to spend time with


I got the power make your life so exciting
I have the ability to create a thrilling and exciting life


Now this will be a beautiful death
I am willing to take risks and embrace my power, even if it leads to destruction


I'm jumping out the window
I am taking a high-risk action without concern for the consequences


I'm letting everything go
I am abandoning my fears and concerns and taking a leap of faith


Mmm, now this will be a beautiful death
I am willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of my power and success


Jumping out the window
I am taking a high-risk action without concern for the consequences


Letting everything go
I am abandoning my fears and concerns and taking a leap of faith


Letting everything go
I am abandoning my fears and concerns and taking a leap of faith


You got the power to let power go?
You have the ability to relinquish control or influence


(21st-century schizoid man)
I am feeling disconnected from reality and society




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jeff Bhasker, Kanye West, Robert Fripp, Ian Mcdonald, Greg Lake, Nathan Perez, Michael Giles, Peter Sinfield, Malik Yusef Jones, Larry Griffin, Francois Bernheim, Gerard Bergman, Mike Dean, Jean Pierre Lang

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@representation.

I'm living in that 21st century
Doing something mean to it
Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero need his theme music
No one man should have all that power
The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the power
(21st-century schizoid man)
The system broken, and the school's closed, the prisons open
We ain't got nothin' to lose, ma'fucka, we rollin'
Huh? Ma'fucka, we rollin'
With some light-skinned girls and some Kelly Rowlands
In this white man's world, we the ones chosen
So goodnight, cruel world, I'll see you in the mornin'
Huh? I'll see you in the mornin'
This is way too much, I need a moment



@representation.

I'm living in that 21st century
Doing something mean to it
Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero need his theme music
No one man should have all that power
The clock's ticking, I just count the hours
Stop tripping, I'm tripping off the power
(21st-century schizoid man)
The system broken, and the school's closed, the prisons open
We ain't got nothin' to lose, ma'fucka, we rollin'
Huh? Ma'fucka, we rollin'
With some light-skinned girls and some Kelly Rowlands
In this white man's world, we the ones chosen
So goodnight, cruel world, I'll see you in the mornin'
Huh? I'll see you in the mornin'
This is way too much, I need a moment



All comments from YouTube:

@kabuki.2842

Nobody:

Men’s fragrance commercials:

@st4rmonii

Literally where I came from

@theLisRe4L

Invictus

@candaceanderson6251

😀

@candaceanderson6251

👊🏾

@Black_angel092

With David Beckham loool

77 More Replies...

@Ocato92

"The system broken, the school is closed, the prisons open."
Now that line aged well!

@rosaria6363

Ocato92 yeah. Fits perfectly now

@Eminenceofeternity

@Ben Orsak The plan was being made 11 years ago?

@jamesvick6070

Ocato92 wow

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