Honky's Ladder
Climbing Shadows: Unraveling Afghan Whigs' Honky's Ladder Depths
Lyrics
Got you where I want you
Asserting control or power over someone
Motherfucker
Expletive, emphasizing the previous line's sentiment
I got five up on your dime
Having an advantage or leverage
And if you want to peep on something
Inviting someone to observe something personal
Peep what I got stuck between
Highlighting a personal connection
Your eyes
Pointing out the intensity of observation
And since I don't believe
Distrust in the other person's honesty
A word you say
Disbelief or skepticism towards the other's words
Save it for another, baby brother
Advising to save their stories for someone else
Swallow time to pay
Suggesting repayment for something owed
Up on the ladder they sing
Referencing societal or hierarchical climb
How high?
Inquiring about the effort needed to achieve success
Does a brother have to climb
Questioning the struggle required for greatness
To touch the light
Desire to achieve something significant
But wait 'till I get done
Delaying actions related to the listener
With you
Implies a subsequent action towards the listener
If you tell me
Reacting to advice, likely disregarding it
"Don't get mixed up with the Devil"
Ignoring cautionary advice
That's exactly
Intending to defy the warning
What I'm gonna do
Emphasizing determination to defy expectations
Caught you while you waited
Seizing an opportunity to confront
For your boy to come
Waiting for someone else's support
And fix you up again
Suggesting an attempt to help or fix
Come a little closer, baby
Requesting closeness or intimacy
I only want to try to
Expressing intentions of friendship
Be your friend
Reflecting having little left to lose
Since I ain't got nothing
Emphasizing control or power
Left to lose
Repeated assertion of control
Got you where I want you
Reiterating control or power over someone
Motherfucker
Reemphasizing a previous sentiment with intensity
Don't you try to move
Warning against action or resistance
Up on the ladder they sing
Referencing societal or hierarchical climb
How high?
Inquiring about the effort needed to achieve success
Does a brother have to climb
Questioning the struggle required for greatness
To touch the light
Desire to achieve something significant
Won't you take me up there
Requesting inclusion or involvement
With you? You said you would
Recalling a promise or commitment
No one ever could shake
Asserting superiority or capability
That ladder like I could
Claiming unique ability to challenge norms
So I wait
Implying patience or waiting for something
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