Paranoia
nosaj thing feat. chance the rapper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the sun in my eyes, and my gun on my hip
Paranoia on my mind, got my mind on the fritz
But a lotta niggas dying, so my nine with the shits
But a lotta niggas dying, so my nine with the shits
They merking kids, they murder kids here
Why you think they don't talk about it?
Where the fuck is Matt Lauer at?
Somebody get Katie Couric in here
Probably scared of all the refugees, look like we had a fucking hurricane here
They be shooting whether it's dark or not, I mean the days is pretty dark a lot
Down here it's easier to find a gun than it is to find a fucking parking spot
No love for the opposition, specifically a cop position
'Cause they've never been in our position
Getting violations for the nation, correlating, you dry snitching
I've been riding around with my blunt on my lips
With the sun in my eyes, and my gun on my hip
Paranoia on my mind, got my mind on the fritz
But a lotta niggas dying, so my nine with the shits
But a lotta niggas dying, so my nine with the shits
I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared, too
I know you scared, me too
I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared, too
If you was there, then we just knew you'd care, too
It just got warm out, this this shit I've been warned about
I hope that it storm in the morning, I hope that it's pouring out
I hate crowded beaches, I hate the sound of fireworks
And I ponder what's worse between knowing it's over and dying first
'Cause everybody dies in the summer
Wanna say ya goodbyes, tell them while it's spring
I heard everybody's dying in the summer, so pray to God for a little more spring
I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared, too
If you was there, then we just knew you'd care, too
In "Paranoia," Nosaj Thing and chance the rapper explore the pressing issue of gun violence in America, specifically in urban areas where people often feel vulnerable and paranoid. The song begins with the image of the singer riding around with a blunt in his mouth, a gun on his hip, and a mind filled with paranoia. The repeated line, "But a lotta niggas dying, so my nine with the shits," highlights the desperation and fear that can lead people to carry weapons.
The second verse touches on the lack of media coverage and government attention to the issue of gun violence in these communities. The mention of Matt Lauer and Katie Couric, two prominent news anchors, adds to the sense of frustration and apathy towards the issue. The line "No love for the opposition, specifically a cop position" refers to the complicated and often volatile relationship between law enforcement and people of color in these neighborhoods. The singer takes issue with the fact that cops who come to these areas to enforce the law have never lived in their shoes and cannot understand the trauma and violence they experience on a daily basis.
In the final verse, the singer contemplates mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The line "everybody dies in the summer" is a reference to the elevated rates of violence and death during the summer months in these neighborhoods. The repeated plea to "ask us if we scared, too" is a call for empathy and understanding from those who are not directly impacted by this issue.
Overall, "Paranoia" is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the systemic issues that contribute to gun violence in urban areas.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been riding around with my blunt on my lips
I have been driving around with a cannabis blunt in my mouth
With the sun in my eyes, and my gun on my hip
While the sun was in my eyes, I had my gun attached to my waist
Paranoia on my mind, got my mind on the fritz
I am experiencing a high level of fear and suspicion, which is affecting my mental stability
But a lotta niggas dying, so my nine with the shits
Since a lot of people are getting killed, I am carrying my firearm, prepared to use it if necessary
They merking kids, they murder kids here
Children are being killed, murdered right here
Why you think they don't talk about it?
Why do you think they are not discussing this issue openly?
They deserted us here
They abandoned and left us here
Where the fuck is Matt Lauer at?
Where is Matt Lauer? (in reference to a prominent news anchor who is not covering these issues)
Somebody get Katie Couric in here
We need Katie Couric (another prominent news anchor) to report on what is happening here
Probably scared of all the refugees, look like we had a fucking hurricane here
They are likely fearful of the refugees and immigrants here and the area looks like it has been hit by a massive storm or hurricane
They be shooting whether it's dark or not, I mean the days is pretty dark a lot
Shooting incidents occur during day and night, especially when it's dark outside
Down here it's easier to find a gun than it is to find a fucking parking spot
It is much easier to find a firearm than it is to find a parking spot in this area
No love for the opposition, specifically a cop position
We do not have any positive feelings towards the police, specifically those working in law enforcement positions
'Cause they've never been in our position
This is because they have never experienced our struggles or situations
Getting violations for the nation, correlating, you dry snitching
We are being charged with crimes against the country, and someone is exposing our illegal activities to authorities
I know you scared, you should ask us if we scared, too
I understand that you are afraid, but you should also inquire whether we are scared
It just got warm out, this this shit I've been warned about
It has recently gotten hot outside, and this is what I have been warned about
I hope that it storm in the morning, I hope that it's pouring out
I wish for it to rain heavily in the morning
I hate crowded beaches, I hate the sound of fireworks
I do not like crowded beaches or fireworks
And I ponder what's worse between knowing it's over and dying first
I contemplate which is worse - knowing when something is ending or dying before it happens
'Cause everybody dies in the summer
Many people die during the summer season
Wanna say ya goodbyes, tell them while it's spring
If you want to say your goodbyes, do it while it is still spring
I heard everybody's dying in the summer, so pray to God for a little more spring
I have heard that many people die during summer, so I hope to have more time before this happens
If you was there, then we just knew you'd care, too
If you were in our situation, we would believe that you care just as much as us
Lyrics © I WROTE THIS MYSELF
Written by: Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, Jason Won Chung
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@najiert2057
This is my favorite Chance song ever
@90babyjoe
Me 2
@gamingtaco6330
Faxxx
@wyattgeorge9696
Next favorites are lost, acid rain and anything that's mellow
@hugobojorges655
This is the first time i listen to this song and now i agree whit u bruh
@tayeeinthacut9661
@@hugobojorges655 took a L fam this was my whole 9th grade year 2016 😭
@literallyjosh
Im so glad i experienced Pusha Man/Paranoia before the tracks were seperated on the playlist. The slow burn into the Paranoia from Pusha Man honestly was genius and unsettling definitely setting the tone for this track
@CliffBarz
Yes especially when your tripping, that silence is perfect.
@tylerkoaltrain8612
Definitely hits different. First time i heard this track i was like three hits deep. Dont know how i missed this track before that night but man it was a wild ride. .
@brettdennenlife
"Cuz everybody dies in the summer
So pray to God for a little more spring
I know you scared
Ask us if we scared too"
This hit me hard.