Doo Wop (That Thing) by Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Timeless Wisdom on Love and Respect
Lyrics
Yo, my men and my women
Don’t forget about the deen, Sirat al-Mustaqeem
Yo, it’s about a thing
If ya feel real good wave your hands in the air
And lick two shots in the atmosphere!
It’s been three weeks since you were looking for your friend
The one you let hit it and never called you again
‘Member when he told you he was ’bout the Benjamins?
You act like you ain’t hear him, then give him a little trim
To begin, how you think you’re really gon’ pretend
Like you wasn’t down and you called him again?
Plus, when you give it up so easy you ain’t even foolin’ him
If you did it then, then you’d probably fuck again
Talking out your neck, sayin’ you’re a Christian
A Muslim, sleeping with the jinn
Now that was the sin that did Jezebel in
Who you gon’ tell when the repercussions spin?
Showing off your ass cause you’re thinking it’s a trend
Girlfriend, let me break it down for you again
You know I only say it cause I’m truly genuine
Don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem
Baby girl, respect is just a minimum
Niggas fucked up and you still defending ’em
Now, Lauryn is only human
Don’t think I haven’t been through the same predicament
Let it sit inside your head like a million women in Philly, Penn
It’s silly when girls sell their souls because it’s in
Look at where you be in, hair weaves like Europeans
Fake nails done by Koreans
Come again
Guys you know you’d better watch out
Some girls, some girls are only about
That thing, that thing, that thing
That thing, that thing, that thing
The second verse is dedicated to the men
More concerned with his rims and his Timbs than his women
Him and his men, come in the club like hooligans
Don’t care who they offend, poppin’ yang (Like you got yen!)
Let’s stop pretend, the ones that pack pistols by they waist men
Cristal by the case men, still in they mother’s basement
The pretty face men claiming that they did a bid men
Need to take care of they three or four kids
And they face a court case when the child support late
Money taking and heart breaking, now you wonder why women hate men
The sneaky, silent men
The punk, domestic violence men
Quick to shoot the semen, stop acting like boys and be men
How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?
Come again
Watch out, watch out
Look out, look out
Girls you know you’d better watch out
Some guys, some guys are only about
That thing, that thing, that thing
That thing, that thing, that thing
Guys you know you’d better watch out
Some girls, some girls are only about
That thing, that thing, that thing
That thing, that thing, that thing
Girls you know you’d better watch out
Some guys, some guys are only about
That thing, that thing, that thing
That thing, that thing, that thing
Ms. Lauryn Hill’s ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ is not just a song; it’s an enduring anthem of self-respect and caution in the terrain of love and relationships. Released as the lead single from her solo debut album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ in 1998, this track is a rich tapestry woven with threads of lyrical profundity and melodic nostalgia.
The track nods to the doo-wop era of the ’50s and ’60s while delivering a timeless and poignant message to both men and women on the pitfalls of superficiality and the importance of inner integrity. Let’s dive deeper into the layers of meaning that Hill encapsulates in the lyrics of this Grammy-winning masterpiece.
The Siren Call of Self-Love and Integrity
Beneath the sultry beats and the catchy chorus of ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ lies a profound call for self-respect and self-love. Ms. Lauryn Hill shares a brutally honest observation of how societal pressures can lead to a loss of self, reminding listeners with the poignant line, ‘Don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem.’ This is more than advice; it’s a wake-up call to anyone who has lost touch with their true worth in the pursuit of fleeting desires and shallow affirmations.
Hill challenges the norms of what defines attractiveness and empowerment—a stance as revolutionary now as it was during the song’s initial release. The verse ‘Look at where you be in, hair weaves like Europeans, Fake nails done by Koreans,’ speaks volumes about the cultural constructs of beauty and the lengths people go to fit a mold that may not represent who they truly are or want to be.
Navigating the Misogynistic Maze – A Two-Verse Tale
Lauryn Hill masterfully addresses both sexes with a tailored verse apiece, indicting the behaviors that uphold a cycle of disrespect and superficiality. For women, there’s the caution of giving into materialistic suitors epitomized by the ’bout the Benjamins’ types. And for men, the critique serves as a reality check to those who value rims and Timbs above genuine relationships, who ‘come in the club like hooligans,’ lacking responsibility and integrity.
Hill holds no punches in addressing the consequences of such lifestyles – broken families, domestic violence, and the deep-seated issues that perpetuate these hazardous cycles. It’s a conversation about doing the inner work: ‘How you gonna win when you ain’t right within?’ is both a philosophical question and a direct challenge to step up and self-correct.
That Thing – The Allure of the Material and the Temporal
At the core of the track is ‘that thing,’ a phrase that encapsulates the myriad temptations that exist around love, sex, and relationships. ‘That thing’ represents the immediate gratification, the material possessions, and the fleeting status symbols that are often mistaken for happiness and self-worth. Hill warns against the seductive pull of such distractions, urging her listeners to seek fulfillment beyond the surface.
In a world where ‘that thing’ can often cloud judgment and lead to regretful decisions, Hill’s message stands as a lighthouse for those navigating the often-stormy seas of modern love. It’s a timeless reminder to prioritize what genuinely enriches life, not just what glitters in the moment.
A Song’s Secret Message: The Spiritual Dimension
‘Don’t forget about the deen, Sirat al-Mustaqeem,’ Ms. Lauryn Hill croons in the intro of the song, evoking an often overlooked but integral element of ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ – spirituality. ‘Deen’ refers to the way of life, and ‘Sirat al-Mustaqeem’ is Arabic for ‘the straight path,’ indicating a life lived with moral and righteous intent.
By invoking these words, Hill isn’t just calling for self-respect and self-love but also for a deeper connection to one’s spiritual path and greater purpose. She offers a reminder that the choices made in love and life are not just about personal fulfillment, but also about aligning with one’s faith and higher principles.
Iconic Lyricism: A Look at The Song’s Most Memorable Lines
‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ is rife with hard-hitting lines that cut to the core of its message, but perhaps none so memorable as ‘It’s silly when girls sell their souls because it’s in.’ This line perfectly captures the essence of the song – a criticism of the fickle nature of trends and the cost of conforming at the expense of one’s soul.
Yet it’s with empathy, not judgment, that Ms. Lauryn Hill delivers her sermon. Another line that leaves an indelible mark is ‘It’s been three weeks since you were looking for your friend, the one you let hit it and never called you again,’ a stark reflection on the empty promises and unfulfilled expectations that often befall relationships built on shallow foundations. It’s lyrics like these that not only define the song but continue to resonate with new generations.
