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.
Mula baby
She was a young girl in pursuit of glory and fame
She would do anything she could to feel the flame
When everybody knew your move and the things you play
She finally made all her dreams come true and then she screamed
(ah)
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice (yeah)
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
To know this ain't paradice
He was a young boy in pursuit the money and fame
And he would do anything he could to kill the pain (ah)
When everybody knew your moves, they speak of your name
And oh all over the late night local news I heard him scream
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice (yea)
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
(whoa)
I said the sun don't shine forever (oh oh oh oh oh)
And everything that glitters ain't gold (oh oh oh oh oh)
(ah)
I said love don't love forever (oh oh oh oh oh)
And everything that's new gets old (rah)
Sometimes we try to find the road to the riches
Need road side assistance
Blisters on my knees from begging for forgiveness
This ain't no dollars on my trees
But knowledge on my feet cause I been climbing to the peek
And running from the bulls***
I'm tired of playing the same song who told the DJ bring it back?
Dead presidents bullet in Abraham Lincoln hat
Staring at big poster I swear that he be winking back
Cut school, sell crack
Sorry I'm just thinking back
C-call me crazy I been called worse
It's like I have it all but what's it all worth (ha ha)
I'm probably better in my afterlife
I should cherish life but this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice (oh oh oh oh oh)
This ain't paradice
No this ain't paradice
This ain't paradice
She was a young girl in pursuit of glory and fame
She would do anything she could to feel the flame
When everybody knew your move and the things you play
She finally made all her dreams come true and then she screamed
(ah)
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice (yeah)
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
To know this ain't paradice
He was a young boy in pursuit the money and fame
And he would do anything he could to kill the pain (ah)
When everybody knew your moves, they speak of your name
And oh all over the late night local news I heard him scream
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice (yea)
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
(whoa)
I said the sun don't shine forever (oh oh oh oh oh)
And everything that glitters ain't gold (oh oh oh oh oh)
(ah)
I said love don't love forever (oh oh oh oh oh)
And everything that's new gets old (rah)
Sometimes we try to find the road to the riches
Need road side assistance
Blisters on my knees from begging for forgiveness
This ain't no dollars on my trees
But knowledge on my feet cause I been climbing to the peek
And running from the bulls***
I'm tired of playing the same song who told the DJ bring it back?
Dead presidents bullet in Abraham Lincoln hat
Staring at big poster I swear that he be winking back
Cut school, sell crack
Sorry I'm just thinking back
C-call me crazy I been called worse
It's like I have it all but what's it all worth (ha ha)
I'm probably better in my afterlife
I should cherish life but this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice
Oh no this ain't paradice (oh oh oh oh oh)
This ain't paradice
No this ain't paradice
This ain't paradice
Lyrics submitted by michellex657
Paradice Lyrics as written by Andre Lyon Dwayne Carter
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Good song. Gotta love Lil' Wayne for how "real talk" he is within Rebirth. I've noticed that (at most times) all his "real talk" tracks usually contain "young moolah baby" within them.
Anyways! The whole album to me expresses a side of Wayne he's not too keen on showing to most. The fact he's honestly humble, and a true gentleman (if you've ever actually met him, you know EXACTLY what I mean by this. He's extremely friendly and thankful to meet everyone he meets.)
The meaning to this song however, is obvious. He says the meaning of the song right within the song itself.
"It's like I have it all, but what's it all worth?"
This song is about realizing you have everything you've ever wanted (purchase-wise), but something that can't be bought is still missing from your life. In the end, what you buy is nothing more than material possessions. Meant to fill the void of something missing. Basically, if it isn't truly entertainment, what you buy is nothing more than a distraction to detour you and make you forget about what you infact, can't buy.
In the end, you realize what's missing is still missing. And what's missing, is something that can't be purchased.
True love, itself.
You can talk about how famous and popular you are, all you want. But in the end, if you've got no one beside you...what's it all worth? You've got no one to back you up, tell you you're doing good, nobody to inspire you, to kick you into gear, etc.
This song is a funny way of making me realize that Wayne may no longer be M.O.B. and may have seriously grown up as a person. Afterall, "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."
Anyone who criticizes this track or even album for being too soft, too melodic, or too rock just...doesn't get it. And I truly pity them for frontin' and acting like they too have never felt this way before.
Also, as a (maybe) correction, it sounds more like he says "knowledge on my feet" instead of "mileage on my feet." Basically saying, "I may not have the most money in the world, but i'm a grown man and have the smarts to climb up to the top and ignore ignorance and idiocy."
I love this song and the message it conveys. I compltely agree with halod9. I actually love this whole album. It definately does show that Wayne has grown up but I also think he is trying to continue appealing to his audience. He recently said in reply to a question about this album that he is just trying to give his fans what they want. I think he has found a great way of accomplishing this and doing his own thing.
what he means is he sold he soul for money and fame and he has it but whats he is probably better in his afterlife.