"....if you don't offer new ways to win." as a retired teacher, this is the most important line to me. we (teachers) try/work hard to offer that new way to win.
From “I’m in my room, booming” to “all that **** that used to be cool/ain’t cool anymore…” I am blown away by his story telling. Our lives could not be more different, yet these lines are so relatable to me. And I will never look at cherished Flipper the same; what an amazing parable of survival!
Thank you for creating such an inspiring piece during such a busy news week!!
So many resonate, but one that really sticks out is "Well, so is telling young men That ‘selling is a sin,’ if you don't offer new ways to win." I am an occupational therapist, and at one point was working in inpatient psychiatry in a hospital in Brooklyn. I led a group for young men trying to find their way in society, a couple of whom had grandiose dreams of being rap artists. We worked hard to help them find attainable goals without crushing their passions. And there are more lyrics, but I'll stick to the parameters here! Happy weekend! You deserve it!
OMG in the light of day I realize I completely misread your comment (interesting became interested). Below's reply is truly a Roseanne Roseannadanna moment - "never mind!" 🤣
This is so well written. I really love the lines from Andre about innocence and childhood, especially “Was it winter-time ah nevermind I'm in my room, booming / Drawing LL Cool J album covers with Crayolas on construction paper”. It’s such a descriptive line about Andre’s childhood memories and it makes me think about my own memories as well. Such a great post to read on my birthday! Well done! :)
I like “don’t settle for what ain’t yours” — yes in relationships, and also in a broader application across many facets of life. Yes, as we grow and mature, “all that sh*t that used to be cool ain’t cool anymore.”
On some level, one’s life is a collection of decisions and a series of trade-offs.
Settling for something now that isn’t yours perhaps precludes you or delays you from experiencing what is meant for you later. Maybe.
These lyrics are reminding me of the many possibilities of past jobs, relationships, moves, material items that I may have thought I wanted at the time yet I realize now were childish ambitions.
That said, I am sometimes tempted to buy a Porsche Boxster. 😆 And in that case, just disregard the previous words. Childish desires and a devilish grin win.
“A dolphin gon’ shake his fin, regardless if he gets in
Or out of water, most important thing for him is to swim
And Flipper didn't hold his nose, so why shall I hold my tongue?”
Hey Ari:) This line really speaks to an artist needing to be just that. An artist. A fish gotta swim, and an artist gotta create. I’m a huge Andre fan, and what I like most about him is his innovative approach to music. When I discovered him, I saw and heard someone who was embracing their uniqueness. He was the first rapper I ever saw, who played guitar, and used real instruments on his tracks! I loved that! He was considered to be an artist who ‘thinks outside of the box’ but, if artists aren’t put in boxes to begin with, because of preexisting parameters, that are in place to serve things other than the music, but the business of it, then the idea of creating freely would be practiced more often. When the artists have more creative freedom, we hear more authentic, unedited art.
*So much* news in the news this week, wasn't there? You packed nearly as much into this breakdown. Thanks for showing just how much Andre 3000 can fit into a line or two. I'm a writer who appreciates a clever turn of phrase or a well-structured sentence. Also, shout-out to my favorite Shakespeare play. As for the line that spoke the most to me, I want to tie two together: "How's he God, if he lets Lucifer let loose on us?" and "so is telling young men that selling is a sin, if you don't offer new ways to win." It's the cycle that keeps repeating, get money, get yours, leave the kids behind (death/jail/what have you), they come up, try to get that money, when does it end? How can it end if you can't see any other way out? Who's helping to come up with other ways to get out? And Andre's on the other side of it now, but he sees it. He knows it.
We must have taken the same courses on semiotics and postmodernist deconstruction, also known as Canadian Literature, where I come from. My past is full of words, my future is waiting to hear from me. I'm not looking back so much anymore. I'm waiting for the burst of creativity that should come from this horrible time we live in. Rap is bursting. Rap is not quiet. Rap is relentless storytelling, and it's a new language for me. I'm learning. Thank you, again, Ari.
Thank you for your insight to this. I am from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Chicago, Boston and Eagles era and know very little about Rap. You explained it for meso I could understand.
Ari, you are my favorite. I am 80 now, but I count among my friends, back in 1969, the Angry Poets of Watts, whom I met in Budd Schulberg’s creative writing seminar in Watts after the 1965 Watts Riots.
Wow, Ari! I am still trying to digest your analysis of Andre 3000’s lyrics. I had to read this newsletter twice. I gotta listen to that song/ track. You know, for those who think that rap lyrics (hip hop) is just noise and violence, they should pay close attention to the rapper’s lyrics (just like you do) and understand what they are saying. Andre 3000 was painting a picture of his life experience, his environment and his interpretation of how he sees life through his music. Thanks for breaking his lyrics down to us.
What’s line in this song spoke most to you or your life?
This line right here😃:
“Then go grab the finest wine and drink it
Like we know which grape and which region it came from As if we can name 'em / hint hint, it ain't, um, Welch's”
I do know which grape and which region the wine came from…mostly because it’s on the label…Ha😃
WHEW, Ari, this was homework! Like Sandra O, I had to read it several times-even AFTER listening to Andre. I am amazed at his ability to champion the process of rap. The song is deep. The line that spoke to me was: “So is telling young men that ‘selling’s a sin,’ if you don’t offer new ways to win.” Immediately, I was reminded of Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign on drugs. She was lauded for that simplistic phrase, but it came with no accompaniments or useful tools to aid those caught in that web. Ari, this ‘assignment’ was definitely a challenge, but I learned new words: Prelapsarian and Flipper—and I gained a new respect for rappers.
Thank you and glad you listened along. Appreciate the overlap to "anti drug" messaging without any broader policy/options for people. Flipper may come up more often than prelapsarian : )
Hi Ari! This was brilliant and I’m speechless. This was an education and mind blowing. Thanks for the challenge- so much to think about. Will share with all my friends. “We ain’t in Kansas anymore” - I’ve had to realize that so many times in life, grow up and adjust.
What an amazing song, it gives us a view on the different stages in a young man's life. Your breakdown of the lyrics was really interesting. I did learn a few slang meanings to a few words as well.😉
I have enjoyed reading all your essays, but this one by far is the best. You have introduced us to a part of the music world that we probably never would have considered. I am in awe of your writing. Have you considered writing a book, and if so what would your topic be about?
A few lines resonated with me.#1 "So it's telling young men "Selling is a sin", if you don't offer ways to win". How can these young boys succeed, if they aren't offered the tools to help them stay out of trouble. #2 'How's he God if he let's Lucifer loose on us". This line reminds of how many people lose faith and stop believing that things will get better in their lives. #3 "In my room booming". Memories of my teen years listening to my albums and singing along (yes, with my hair brush as a microphone) and dancing around my bedroom. Thanks again Ari for another great piece!!!🎹🎤🎼🙏
I really like when you breakdown lyrics! Sometimes I wish you took requests, because I would love to see you breakdown The Art of Storytelling, pt 2 by OutKast. And about anything from Lauryn Hill. 🙂 Hope you're having a great weekend!
I like the very last line the most, as it resonates with me. But the line that jumps out is, all that was cool isn't cool to me anymore (paraphrasing). It feels like a running theme. The idea of fame and money and then getting fame and money isn't the same. It doesn't feel as good as one believed it would and it comes with a lot more than most can handle.
"....if you don't offer new ways to win." as a retired teacher, this is the most important line to me. we (teachers) try/work hard to offer that new way to win.
shoutout to teachers!
thanks ari, we appreciate it
I’m a retired teacher, and I agree with you completely!
Thank you for your service to our youngsters!!!🙏
From “I’m in my room, booming” to “all that **** that used to be cool/ain’t cool anymore…” I am blown away by his story telling. Our lives could not be more different, yet these lines are so relatable to me. And I will never look at cherished Flipper the same; what an amazing parable of survival!
Thank you for creating such an inspiring piece during such a busy news week!!
Flipper!
why thank you, and interesting to hear which lyrics resonated
So many resonate, but one that really sticks out is "Well, so is telling young men That ‘selling is a sin,’ if you don't offer new ways to win." I am an occupational therapist, and at one point was working in inpatient psychiatry in a hospital in Brooklyn. I led a group for young men trying to find their way in society, a couple of whom had grandiose dreams of being rap artists. We worked hard to help them find attainable goals without crushing their passions. And there are more lyrics, but I'll stick to the parameters here! Happy weekend! You deserve it!
OMG in the light of day I realize I completely misread your comment (interesting became interested). Below's reply is truly a Roseanne Roseannadanna moment - "never mind!" 🤣
Gee wiz Joanie. I thought that only happened to us...at one time or another...
Rosennadanna........that brought back memories which made me grin :)
Love Flipper 💗
This is so well written. I really love the lines from Andre about innocence and childhood, especially “Was it winter-time ah nevermind I'm in my room, booming / Drawing LL Cool J album covers with Crayolas on construction paper”. It’s such a descriptive line about Andre’s childhood memories and it makes me think about my own memories as well. Such a great post to read on my birthday! Well done! :)
yes - and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
So sorry! Who's big Day is it?
Thank you so much!!! ❤️
Oh! Becca......hope all your B .Days are as great!
Thank you thank you!! ❤️❤️
Happy Birthday!
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Happy Birthday😃
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Happy Birthday 🎂
Thank you!! ❤️
Happy belated Birthday!!!🎂
Thank you!! ❤️❤️
Happy B’Day, Becca! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thank you so much!! ❤️❤️
I like “don’t settle for what ain’t yours” — yes in relationships, and also in a broader application across many facets of life. Yes, as we grow and mature, “all that sh*t that used to be cool ain’t cool anymore.”
On some level, one’s life is a collection of decisions and a series of trade-offs.
Settling for something now that isn’t yours perhaps precludes you or delays you from experiencing what is meant for you later. Maybe.
These lyrics are reminding me of the many possibilities of past jobs, relationships, moves, material items that I may have thought I wanted at the time yet I realize now were childish ambitions.
That said, I am sometimes tempted to buy a Porsche Boxster. 😆 And in that case, just disregard the previous words. Childish desires and a devilish grin win.
Possibilities ah yes possibilities!😊
Kim! 💙
“A dolphin gon’ shake his fin, regardless if he gets in
Or out of water, most important thing for him is to swim
And Flipper didn't hold his nose, so why shall I hold my tongue?”
Hey Ari:) This line really speaks to an artist needing to be just that. An artist. A fish gotta swim, and an artist gotta create. I’m a huge Andre fan, and what I like most about him is his innovative approach to music. When I discovered him, I saw and heard someone who was embracing their uniqueness. He was the first rapper I ever saw, who played guitar, and used real instruments on his tracks! I loved that! He was considered to be an artist who ‘thinks outside of the box’ but, if artists aren’t put in boxes to begin with, because of preexisting parameters, that are in place to serve things other than the music, but the business of it, then the idea of creating freely would be practiced more often. When the artists have more creative freedom, we hear more authentic, unedited art.
amen to that!
Thanks!😊🎶❤️
*So much* news in the news this week, wasn't there? You packed nearly as much into this breakdown. Thanks for showing just how much Andre 3000 can fit into a line or two. I'm a writer who appreciates a clever turn of phrase or a well-structured sentence. Also, shout-out to my favorite Shakespeare play. As for the line that spoke the most to me, I want to tie two together: "How's he God, if he lets Lucifer let loose on us?" and "so is telling young men that selling is a sin, if you don't offer new ways to win." It's the cycle that keeps repeating, get money, get yours, leave the kids behind (death/jail/what have you), they come up, try to get that money, when does it end? How can it end if you can't see any other way out? Who's helping to come up with other ways to get out? And Andre's on the other side of it now, but he sees it. He knows it.
really interesting, thank you
We must have taken the same courses on semiotics and postmodernist deconstruction, also known as Canadian Literature, where I come from. My past is full of words, my future is waiting to hear from me. I'm not looking back so much anymore. I'm waiting for the burst of creativity that should come from this horrible time we live in. Rap is bursting. Rap is not quiet. Rap is relentless storytelling, and it's a new language for me. I'm learning. Thank you, again, Ari.
Thank you for your insight to this. I am from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Chicago, Boston and Eagles era and know very little about Rap. You explained it for meso I could understand.
Karen...ditto from me too!
Ari, you are my favorite. I am 80 now, but I count among my friends, back in 1969, the Angry Poets of Watts, whom I met in Budd Schulberg’s creative writing seminar in Watts after the 1965 Watts Riots.
Wow, Ari! I am still trying to digest your analysis of Andre 3000’s lyrics. I had to read this newsletter twice. I gotta listen to that song/ track. You know, for those who think that rap lyrics (hip hop) is just noise and violence, they should pay close attention to the rapper’s lyrics (just like you do) and understand what they are saying. Andre 3000 was painting a picture of his life experience, his environment and his interpretation of how he sees life through his music. Thanks for breaking his lyrics down to us.
What’s line in this song spoke most to you or your life?
This line right here😃:
“Then go grab the finest wine and drink it
Like we know which grape and which region it came from As if we can name 'em / hint hint, it ain't, um, Welch's”
I do know which grape and which region the wine came from…mostly because it’s on the label…Ha😃
Have a nice and relaxing weekend, Ari! Cheers!!!
😂Yes, Sandra, this was a workout.
Wow! When you're (serious), expressing it is certainly a good "read"..Ta!
WHEW, Ari, this was homework! Like Sandra O, I had to read it several times-even AFTER listening to Andre. I am amazed at his ability to champion the process of rap. The song is deep. The line that spoke to me was: “So is telling young men that ‘selling’s a sin,’ if you don’t offer new ways to win.” Immediately, I was reminded of Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign on drugs. She was lauded for that simplistic phrase, but it came with no accompaniments or useful tools to aid those caught in that web. Ari, this ‘assignment’ was definitely a challenge, but I learned new words: Prelapsarian and Flipper—and I gained a new respect for rappers.
Thank you and glad you listened along. Appreciate the overlap to "anti drug" messaging without any broader policy/options for people. Flipper may come up more often than prelapsarian : )
Hi Ari! This was brilliant and I’m speechless. This was an education and mind blowing. Thanks for the challenge- so much to think about. Will share with all my friends. “We ain’t in Kansas anymore” - I’ve had to realize that so many times in life, grow up and adjust.
What an end of week gift this was!
What an amazing song, it gives us a view on the different stages in a young man's life. Your breakdown of the lyrics was really interesting. I did learn a few slang meanings to a few words as well.😉
I have enjoyed reading all your essays, but this one by far is the best. You have introduced us to a part of the music world that we probably never would have considered. I am in awe of your writing. Have you considered writing a book, and if so what would your topic be about?
A few lines resonated with me.#1 "So it's telling young men "Selling is a sin", if you don't offer ways to win". How can these young boys succeed, if they aren't offered the tools to help them stay out of trouble. #2 'How's he God if he let's Lucifer loose on us". This line reminds of how many people lose faith and stop believing that things will get better in their lives. #3 "In my room booming". Memories of my teen years listening to my albums and singing along (yes, with my hair brush as a microphone) and dancing around my bedroom. Thanks again Ari for another great piece!!!🎹🎤🎼🙏
And singing your heart out too! Nice visionary words...
Well, never heard him before, I can hear that
this man's a VERY talented artist. where every
word is clear to the ear!
One specific word comes to mind,
INSIGHTFUL ........
I really like when you breakdown lyrics! Sometimes I wish you took requests, because I would love to see you breakdown The Art of Storytelling, pt 2 by OutKast. And about anything from Lauryn Hill. 🙂 Hope you're having a great weekend!
Maybe we DO take requests... I broke down Art of Storytelling once:
https://arimelber.substack.com/p/music-over-money
O.K? I'm truly listening.......Let me think! Ari, what request(s) won't you "deal-with"? What kind of subject matter that interests most?
How about our pets for a start or other service animal(s)..
Pets DO & CAN change ones life/attitude in many other ways, I know this from my own recent experience :)
I like the very last line the most, as it resonates with me. But the line that jumps out is, all that was cool isn't cool to me anymore (paraphrasing). It feels like a running theme. The idea of fame and money and then getting fame and money isn't the same. It doesn't feel as good as one believed it would and it comes with a lot more than most can handle.