So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Watatatang, watatatang, tang
Listen to my nine millimeter go bang
Does anybody know Joe
This is death to Fat Joe, birth of Cook
Sing to 'em niggaz
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (definition of a Don, "Jealous Ones Still Envy")
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (yeah, it's '05 and we ridin', we still ridin')
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (touched the down, and he's down)
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (see the God in the hood, Dade County, BX, wherever)
Can you hear that? Niggaz that's the winds of change
Blowin through your city, here comes the pain
They say, the more things change, the more stay the same
So I, grip on that same 9 I held in '88
My momma askin ("where did he go")
She up the block frantic ("where did he go")
Cops combin the streets harassin ("where did he go")
But little did they know ("where did he go")
That I was on that Greyhound watchin white turn green
Renegades, we don't wait 'til the light turn green
We just, break the rules and live a life obscene
I been Crack, way before the shit hits the scene
You couldn't even imagine what my eyes done seen
But now it's I'm a thug, I'm a killer
I'm a drug dealin nigga from the hood, God damnit I'm good
I'm out, I swear after this disc I will quit
Pun if you listenin God you truly been this
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (yeah, hahahaha)
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (all my nigga BX niggaz we ridin')
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (blap blap blap guess who? Yeah)
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Imagine some old foe with no fire
The God done ran off and retired
No "Lean Back" "New York, New York" anthems
No rappers these ladies, call handsome
Me I'm just dancin, velvet LaPelle
In the Phantom slow rollin watchin Dave Chapelle
I blow smoke now, the stress done got me
Runnin in the sand like a scene from Rocky
("Where did he go") I'm tryin find myself
It's hard when you the only one supplyin the wealth
And if I fall off, who can I ask for help?
Not a damn soul, my mind is outta control
It's like the Hammer story stands out can't walk through the Bronx
Cause e'ry muh'fucker got his fuckin hands out
Every day somebody new 'sposed to blast me
Changed my phone number, got everybody askin
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Joseph Carter, that's who I be
I'm still runnin the Carter, that's how we eat
Niggaz, don't even bother cause that's when we meet
In the middle of the projects, clappin them heats
There's never been a rapper this credible as Joe
Dropped "The Incredible," I'm better with the flow
And e'rybody's askin where did he go
Real simple, stop askin for Joe, it's Cook Coke
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Peace to the money man, Macho
Chigga Brown, JB, Raoul, DJ Serge
Ha ha, Kato rest in peace
Chi Town stand the fuck up HOLLA
My nigga Mack Dime on the West coast, my nigga Wavy
Hahahaha
All my chicanos, all my vatos locos out there
Reppin the browns, the homey Cartoon
Mexico, yeah
("Where did he go") it's Crack
("Where did he go")
("Where did he go")
("Where did he go")
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Listen to my nine millimeter go bang
Does anybody know Joe
This is death to Fat Joe, birth of Cook
Sing to 'em niggaz
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (definition of a Don, "Jealous Ones Still Envy")
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (yeah, it's '05 and we ridin', we still ridin')
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (touched the down, and he's down)
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (see the God in the hood, Dade County, BX, wherever)
Can you hear that? Niggaz that's the winds of change
Blowin through your city, here comes the pain
They say, the more things change, the more stay the same
So I, grip on that same 9 I held in '88
My momma askin ("where did he go")
She up the block frantic ("where did he go")
Cops combin the streets harassin ("where did he go")
But little did they know ("where did he go")
That I was on that Greyhound watchin white turn green
Renegades, we don't wait 'til the light turn green
We just, break the rules and live a life obscene
I been Crack, way before the shit hits the scene
You couldn't even imagine what my eyes done seen
But now it's I'm a thug, I'm a killer
I'm a drug dealin nigga from the hood, God damnit I'm good
I'm out, I swear after this disc I will quit
Pun if you listenin God you truly been this
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (yeah, hahahaha)
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (all my nigga BX niggaz we ridin')
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe (blap blap blap guess who? Yeah)
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Imagine some old foe with no fire
The God done ran off and retired
No "Lean Back" "New York, New York" anthems
No rappers these ladies, call handsome
Me I'm just dancin, velvet LaPelle
In the Phantom slow rollin watchin Dave Chapelle
I blow smoke now, the stress done got me
Runnin in the sand like a scene from Rocky
("Where did he go") I'm tryin find myself
It's hard when you the only one supplyin the wealth
And if I fall off, who can I ask for help?
Not a damn soul, my mind is outta control
It's like the Hammer story stands out can't walk through the Bronx
Cause e'ry muh'fucker got his fuckin hands out
Every day somebody new 'sposed to blast me
Changed my phone number, got everybody askin
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Joseph Carter, that's who I be
I'm still runnin the Carter, that's how we eat
Niggaz, don't even bother cause that's when we meet
In the middle of the projects, clappin them heats
There's never been a rapper this credible as Joe
Dropped "The Incredible," I'm better with the flow
And e'rybody's askin where did he go
Real simple, stop askin for Joe, it's Cook Coke
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Peace to the money man, Macho
Chigga Brown, JB, Raoul, DJ Serge
Ha ha, Kato rest in peace
Chi Town stand the fuck up HOLLA
My nigga Mack Dime on the West coast, my nigga Wavy
Hahahaha
All my chicanos, all my vatos locos out there
Reppin the browns, the homey Cartoon
Mexico, yeah
("Where did he go") it's Crack
("Where did he go")
("Where did he go")
("Where did he go")
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Does anybody know, how I can get in touch with Joe
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
Does Anybody Know Lyrics as written by Kenny Gamble Joseph Cartagena
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Grand Theft Auto
Insane Ian
Insane Ian
The way this song speaks to me🥺🥺when I sing it I feel like I relate
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”