How It Make You Feel
Echoes of Absence: Jill Scott's Poignant Reflection on a World Without Black Queens
Lyrics
Chorus:
Chorus: The repeated questioning about the emotions and thoughts associated with the hypothetical absence of the singer.
Tell me how you''d feel
-If I was,If I was go'n,
-Tell me how you'd feel'
-Tell me how you''d feel
-If I was,If I was go'n,
-Tell me how you'd feel'
-What if I was go'n forever''
Expressing the possibility of the singer's departure forever.
No more chocolate kisses,
Imagery of the absence of pleasurable and intimate aspects in a relationship, represented by "chocolate kisses" and "nappy dugout," and the impact on familial and sisterly connections.
No nappy dugout ever,
-No mamma,no daughter,no sister,no
-No sister friends
-Tell me my brother,
Asking the listener to consider the consequences for men if women, specifically black females, were to vanish.
What would become of you then'
-What if,poof,every black female in the world
Poetic scenario of the sudden disappearance of all black females and the resulting impact on men, emphasizing the vulnerability of children ("man-child").
disappeared'
-Your man-child left unattended
Describing the potential chaos and loss of direction in the absence of women's guidance ("no one behind the steering wheel").
Lost without no one behind the steering wheel
-Tell me,hmm mmm,
Inviting the listener to reflect on the emotional impact and asking for a response.
C'mon,how would that make you feel
-C'mon,c'mon,help a sister say
Encouraging engagement and expression of feelings, especially from a male perspective.
(Chorus)
Chorus: The repeated questioning about the emotions and thoughts associated with the hypothetical absence of the singer.
Your beautiful brown would be forever go'n
Highlighting the uniqueness of "beautiful brown" individuals and the potential loss if all black females were to disappear.
With no more cocoa wombs to carry your
-brown on
-You right there,would be the last of your kind
-Can you feel this song' How does that
Asking the listener to consider the emotional resonance of the song and its effect on the mind.
affect your mind'
-Cause if there was no me,there'd be no you
Stressing the interdependence between men and women and questioning if the listener can understand and feel the message.
Ooo can you feel me,is this song coming
-through
-What if,poof,every
Reiteration of the hypothetical disappearance of all black females, prompting deeper reflection.
black female
-in the world
-disappeared'
Emphasizing the scientific aspect of the scenario and suggesting there is more intensity to the situation than meets the eye.
11
-That's the science in it,
Encouraging introspection and soul-searching to comprehend the emotional and psychological impact of the imagined scenario.
but it's so much more intense
-Reach into your soul for the answer
-Reach wherever you need to,to find it
-(Chorus)
Chorus: The repeated questioning about the emotions and thoughts associated with the hypothetical absence of the singer.
Rap:
Rap: Critiquing certain behaviors associated with masculinity, highlighting historical context, and urging the listener to reflect on their actions and responsibilities.
Say you be tripping,
-Say you pimping it,
-Talking 'bout how you 'Da Man?
-What you are is something different
-By-product of when 'Massa'ruled your life
-Spreading babies everywhere
-Couldn't think,couldn't care
-But you can now
-You can,you can
-C'mon and man up
-Damn it,Tell me how you'd feel'
-No mamma,no daughter
-(Chorus)
-(Repeat w/ adlibs until fade')
Chorus: The repeated questioning about the emotions and thoughts associated with the hypothetical absence of the singer.
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