Lyrics
How's it feel to be so black?
Questioning the experience of being black and exploring its emotional impact.
How's it feel to be so white?
Questioning the experience of being white and exploring its emotional impact.
How's it feel to worry about things
Reflecting on the feeling of uncertainty and anxiety about various issues.
And never know who's wrong or right
Expressing the difficulty of determining right from wrong in certain situations.
Looking at things on the other side
Encouraging a perspective shift, considering situations from a different point of view.
Have you got everything or only your pride
Questioning whether one possesses everything or only holds onto personal pride.
CHORUS
Refrain emphasizing the theme of live and let live.
Back off brother
Directing someone to step back and allow others to live peacefully.
Live and let live just like any other
Advocating for a live-and-let-live philosophy, similar to everyone else.
Back off brother
Reiteration of the call for someone to back off and not interfere.
'Cause I don't owe you nothing
Asserting independence by stating that there are no obligations towards the person being addressed.
And I don't want nothing from you
Expressing a lack of desire for anything from the person in question.
Preacher man he act so good
Characterizing a preacher who outwardly appears righteous but may not be true to his convictions.
Says he don't but I know he would
Indicating skepticism about the preacher's behavior, suggesting hypocrisy.
STick his head up the hole of love
Using metaphorical language to describe compromising one's values for personal gratification.
ANd forget all about the Lord above
Suggesting that individuals may forsake their spiritual beliefs for worldly pleasures.
Looking at things on the other side
Encouraging a different perspective again, this time predicting negative consequences for the preacher.
Flames of hell gonna burn his hide
Anticipating severe consequences, such as the flames of hell, for the preacher's actions.
CHORUS
Reiteration of the refrain, emphasizing the central theme of non-interference.
Back off
A direct command to back off, emphasizing the need for personal space.
committee wants to rate my song
Expressing frustration with a committee attempting to evaluate or control the song.
Back off
Reiterating the need for others to leave well enough alone, indicating a desire for independence.
Won't leave well enough alone
Conveying resistance to external interference or attempts to change something that is already satisfactory.
Back off
Emphasizing the belief that one's time will come, suggesting eventual success or recognition.
But my time will come and theirs will pass
Asserting confidence that personal success will surpass the passing judgments of others.
Back off
Reiterating the call for others to back off, incorporating a defiant attitude towards authority.
Uncle Sam will kiss my ass
Expressing a disregard for authority figures, particularly Uncle Sam, with a rebellious statement.
Looking at things from the other side
Encouraging another shift in perspective, this time implying a positive future represented by a red wagon.
My red wagon is gonna be the ride
Using symbolism to represent the positive journey ahead, contrasting with previous negative imagery.
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