song that hurts
Although I must admit to a certain liking for hip-hop and rap music, I don't often listen to it as so much of it objectifies women (even songs by female artist, unfortunately) and glorifies the idea that love=sex. Thus, I enjoy it when a rap performer rises above the usual stories being told and tells a story of worth. Tonight on SNL Ludacris performed this song. It made my heart ache. And I'm glad to see him tackle tough topics in a way that shows compassion for women. I wish more of the artists and musicians labelled Christian were as willing to show the rawness of life, rather than so often sounding like a Dayspring card. Anyway.
"Runaway Love"
(feat. Mary J. Blige)
[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
Runaway love
[Verse 1 - Ludacris]
Now little lisa is only 9 years old
Shes tryin to figure out why the world is so cold
Why shes all all alone and they never met her family
Mamas always gone and she never met her daddy
Part of her is missin and nobody will listenin
Mama is on drugs gettin high up in the kitchen
Bringin home men at different hours of the night
Startin with laughs--usually endin in a fight
Sneak into her room while her mamas knocked out
Tryin to have his way and little lisa says 'ouch'
She tries to resist but then all he does is beat her
Tries to tell her mom but her mama don't believe her
Lisa is stuck up in the world on her own
Forced to think that hell is a place called home
Nothin else to do but some get some clothes and pack
She says shes bout to run away and never come back.
[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love [x8]
[Verse 2 - Ludacris]
Little nicole is only 10 years old
Shes steady tryin to figure why the world is so cold
Why shes not pretty and nobody seems to like her
Alcoholic step dad always wanna strike her
Yells and abuses, leaves her with some bruises
Teachers ask questions she makin up excuses
Bleedin on the inside, cryin on the out
Its only one girl really knows what she about
Her name is lil stacy and they become friends
Promise that they always be tight til the end
Until one day lil stacy gets shot
A drive by bullet went stray up on her block
Now nicole stuck up in the world on her own
Forced to think that hell is a place called home
Nothin else to do but some get some clothes and pack
She says shes bout to run away and never come back.
[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love [x8]
[Verse 3 - Ludacris]
Little erica is eleven years old
Shes steady tryin to figure why the world is so cold
So she pops x to get rid of all the pain
Cause shes havin sex with a boy whos sixteen
Emotions run deep and she thinks shes in love
So theres no protection hes usin no glove
Never thinkin bout the consequences of her actions
Livin for today and not tomorrows satisfaction
The days go by and her belly gets big
The father bails out he aint ready for a kid
Knowin her mama will blow it all outta proportion
Plus she lives poor so no money for abortion
Erica is stuck up in the world on her own
Forced to think that hell is a place called home
Nothin else to do but get her clothes and pack
She say shes about to run away and never come back.
[Hook - Mary J. Blige]
Runaway love [repeats]
Comments
I'm so mad I missed the SNL with him on it. His latest album is really good. It's actually the first hip-hop album I've bought in years. Sadly, I have to admit I bought it b/c of the song by Pharrell in one of my bootylicious-need-some-beats-for-the-road moments. I was pleasantly surprised. And Runaway Love is one of my favorites on the album.
Posted by: TQL | November 22, 2006 07:24 PM
Hi, new commenter!
I'll have to check out the rest of the album sometime. I was definitely impressed with this song, and I always have liked Ludacris' use of musicality and rhythm. Next time I'm at Barnes, I'll give it a listen.
Posted by: dramatic ren | November 22, 2006 08:31 PM
A Christian song that has a similar impact on me:
POD, Youth of the Nation,
Last day of the rest of my life
I wish I would've known
Cause I didn't kiss my mama goodbye
I didn't tell her that I loved her and how much I care
Or thank my pops for all the talks
And all the wisdom he shared
Unaware, I just did what I always do
Everyday, the same routine
Before I skate off to school
But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest
Instead of taking a test
I took two to the chest
Call me blind, but I didn't see it coming
Everybody was running
But I couldn't hear nothing
Except gun blasts, it happened so fast
I don't really know this kid
Even though I sit by him in class
Maybe this kid was reaching out for love
Or maybe for a moment
He forgot who he was
Or maybe this kid just wanted to be hugged
Whatever it was
I know it's because
[chorus:]
We are, We are, the youth of the nation
Little Suzy, she was only twelve
She was given the world
With every chance to excel
Hang with the boys and hear the stories they tell
She might act kind of proud
But no respect for herself
She finds love in all the wrong places
The same situations
Just different faces
Changed up her pace since her daddy left her
Too bad he never told her
She deserved much better
Johnny boy always played the fool
He broke all the rules
So you would think he was cool
He was never really one of the guys
No matter how hard he tried
Often thought of suicide
It's kind of hard when you ain't got no friends
He put his life to an end
They might remember him then
You cross the line and there's no turning back
Told the world how he felt
With the sound of a gat
[chorus]
Who's to blame for the lives that tragedies claim
No matter what you say
It don't take away the pain
That I feel inside, I'm tired of all the lies
Don't nobody know why
It's the blind leading the blind
I guess that's the way the story goes
Will it ever make sense
Somebody's got to know
There's got to be more to life than this
There's got to be more to everything
I thought exists
Posted by: Mike Greiner | November 29, 2006 04:33 PM
That is a powerful song. I hadn't thought of it in awhile. It does pierce to the heart, doesn't it?
Posted by: dramatic ren | November 29, 2006 06:36 PM