Cheech
Life's Collision: Unraveling the Meaning of Shoemaker Levee's 'Cheech'
Lyrics
Keep this in mind
Reminder to keep something in mind
You can leave it at any time
Permission or freedom to leave anytime
You said everybody's passing me by
Feeling overlooked by everyone
Souls shaking to shine
Souls striving to shine, seeking significance
When the blood-red moon aligns
A significant moment when challenges intensify
And you said everybody's bucking for their time
People actively pursuing their opportunities
So bring us back to life
A plea to rejuvenate or revive
Look at you now
Observing someone's current state
You're living paycheck hour to hour
Living paycheck to paycheck
And you said everything's beginning to sour
Expressing dissatisfaction as things go sour
Don't you be deceived
Caution against being misled
By the urge you have to leave
Warning about the impulse to leave
You said everybody just needs a dream
Belief that dreams are essential for everyone
To bring us back to life
Dreams as a means to revive or refresh
Bring me a sign, pass me the drugs
Request for a sign and a metaphorical mention of drugs
History's repeating and we're far from the sun
Noting the repetition of history and distance from positivity
Planning our collision with wayward precision
Planning for a collision with uncertain precision
History: believe it when you see it
Skepticism about historical events
Look at the time
Awareness of time passing
And we start so far behind
Starting from a disadvantaged position
Sitting watching life simply pass us by
Passively observing life passing by
It's in our design
Implies that certain behaviors are ingrained
On the outskirts of our minds
Referring to the outskirts of thought
It's war today so pray to your god
Recognizing a state of conflict and the call to prayer
And if not for you, then fight for someone
An appeal to fight for others if not for oneself
Bring me a sign, pass me those drugs
Repetition of the request for a sign and mention of drugs
History's repeating and we are fucking this up
Acknowledging the repetition of mistakes with impactful language
Planning our collision with wayward precision
Continuation of planning with uncertain direction
History: believe it when you see this erupt
Emphasizing the need to believe in historical events
Forget what you see
Encouragement to disregard appearances
Forget what you mean
Advice to ignore preconceived notions
Forget what the scene is
Discouragement from being bound by societal norms
Going out of your mind
Suggesting a departure from conventional thinking
Run with it or leave it behind
Encouragement to embrace change or abandon the status quo
The rest of us will tow the line
An assertion that others will conform to societal expectations
Comment