Change by J. Cole Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Layers of Personal and Societal Transformation
Lyrics
Yeah, my intuition is telling me they’ll be better days
I like this tone
Yeah, my intuition is telling me they’ll be better days
I sit in silence and and find whenever I meditate
My fears alleviate, my tears evaporate
My faith don’t deviate, ideas don’t have a date
But see I’m growing and getting stronger with every breath
Bringing me closer to heaven’s doors with every step
As we speak I’m in peace, no longer scared to die
Most niggas don’t believe in God and so they terrified
It’s either that or they be fearing they gon’ go to Hell
Asking the father for forgiveness, God, I’m overwhelmed (please God, I want to go to Heaven)
As if he’s spiteful like them white folks that control the jail
See I believe if God is real, he’ll never judge a man
Because he knows us all and therefore he would understand
The ignorance that make a nigga take his brother’s life
The bitterness and pain that got him beating on his wife
I know you desperate for a change at the pen glide
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from
In cemeteries or in chains I see men cry
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from
Yeah, my chosen religion: Jesus piece frozen from sinnin’
Doin’ dirt hoping to God He know my intentions
To see a million ‘fore I see a casket
I got a baby on the way know he gon’ be a bastard
I’m living fast like I’m in a drag race, how that cash taste
When I was a senior I was ballin’ on my classmates
Niggas put three bullets in my car one hit the gas tank
Know I got a angel cause I’m supposed to have a halo
Right now, my lifestyle destined for a federal facility
For my ability to make them birds fly
Fiends wanna get higher than a bird’s eye view
And who am I tell a nigga what to do?
I just apply this economics
My business ain’t got the suit and tie
Keep a pistol at all times, niggas want what’s mine
I can’t oblige dog, I work too hard
So reach for it, get referred to God, I’m going hard nigga
I know you desperate for a change at the pen glide
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from
In cemeteries or in chains I see men cry
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from
Yeah, prodigal son
Got a new gun, this one
Don’t run out of ammo lately been working on my handles
Can I ball, become a star, and remain my self
If I fall, dust it off and regain my self
Fuck ’em all, they don’t know all the pain I felt
I’m in awe, after all the fame I felt I evolve
I no longer bury demons
I be a vessel for the truth until I’m barely breathing, I’m singing
Life is all about the evolution
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I’m back for more
You can dream but don’t neglect the execution
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I’m back for more
Time is short that’s what somebody told me
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I’m back for more
Too short to keep following your homies
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I’m back for more
I reminisce back to a time where niggas threw they hands
All of a sudden niggas pop a trunk and then we scram
Finger on trigger make a little nigga understand
What it’s like to finally be the motherfuckin’ man
Eyes wide that’s from the power that the coward feels
Niggas die over bitches disrespecting dollar bills
Bloodshed that turned the city to a battlefield
I call it poison, you call it real (pop, pop, pop, pop)
That’s how you feel?
Pistols be poppin’ and niggas drop in a heartbeat
Scattered like roaches, a body laid on the concrete
Body laid on the concrete
Look, somebody laid on the concrete
No time for that, ain’t no lookin’ back, cause I’m running too
I made it home, I woke up and turned on the morning news
Overcame with a feeling I can’t explain
‘Cause that was my nigga James that was slain, he was 22
(Last night at around) He was 22
(22 year old black male, suspect, poor)
(I swear to God bruh)
We’re gathered here today
(I swear to God)
To mourn the life of James McMillan Jr
(I swear to God, nigga, I’mma kill them niggas man)
A tragedy, another tragedy in the black community
(I promise you bro)
We got to do better, people
22 years old, this boy was too young
(I promise you bro, I’mma kill them niggas bro)
Our condolences go to his family, our prayers
(I’mma kill them niggas myself)
We know he’s in a better place
But this has got to end, ladies and gentleman
We’ve got to come together, this is, this is, beyond words
Now I’d like to open this ceremony with a verse from
J. Cole’s ‘Change’ is a layered introspective journey that examines both personal evolution and the broader societal shifts needed to mend the fragmented realities of modern urban life. The track, hailing from the critically lauded album ‘4 Your Eyez Only’, communicates introspection, social commentary, and the internal conflict that accompanies growth.
Exploring the depths of ‘Change’ reveals not only the intricate artistry of J. Cole’s lyricism but also his profound understanding of human behavior’s complexities and the dual narratives of sin and redemption that suffuse our existence.
The Echo of Intuition and Meditation’s Role
The repetition of ‘my intuition is telling me there’ll be better days’ serves as a mantra of hope amidst chaos, a redemptive chant amidst the bleakness. It establishes a framework in which J. Cole’s verses offer wisdom gained through meditation – a practice that alleviates fears, evaporates tears, and grounds faith.
By openly sharing his meditative realizations, Cole not only invites listeners to understand his personal growth but also propels them towards self-reflection. The evocation of heaven’s doors and peace with mortality reflects a journey to spiritual understanding, engaging with listeners’ existential contemplations.
Dissecting the Dichotomy of Hope and Despair
The chorus underscores the stark contrast between desperation for change and the understanding that significant change emanates from within. It addresses those encumbered by life in chains, whether physical or metaphorical, suggesting that freedom, too, is fundamentally an internal state.
J. Cole’s wisdom – ‘the only real change come from inside’ – resonates as a timeless truth, asserting that societal alterations must begin at an individual level. Each invocation pulls the theme of transformation away from external influences, underscoring the potent potential of internal rebirth.
Uncovering the Hidden Meaning: The Ballad of Redemption
Beyond the apparent call for inner transformation, ‘Change’ speaks to a process of redemption for the tainted. Vivid imagery of a Jesus piece juxtaposed with sinning and hoping for God’s understanding reveals the complex relationship between faith and fallibility.
The mention of a ‘prodigal son’ with a ‘new gun’ but improving handles in life suggests a narrative of a faltering individual striving for betterment despite their past. This notion invites a broader interpretation where societal change is viewed as a collective redemption tale.
Memorable Lines: A Synthesis of Earthly Battles and Divine Aspirations
The lines ‘Fiends wanna get higher than a bird’s eye view / And who am I to tell a nigga what to do?’ poignantly capture Cole’s humility and acknowledgment of his own journey. In this lyrical confession, he presents himself not as a moral arbiter, but as an observer within the fray.
This humility extends into the concept that ‘God is real, He’ll never judge a man’ – echoing the idea that true understanding transcends human judgment. Cole moves away from portraying a vengeful deity in favor of a compassionate figure, understanding of human imperfection.
The Tragic Reality: Violence, Loss, and the News Cycle
Not shying away from the gut-wrenching consequences of street violence, ‘Change’ concludes with the visceral depiction of the murder of Cole’s friend, James. This heartrending semi-fictional tale reflects the cyclical nature of violence—the oft-overlooked personal tragedies behind headlines.
The news epitomizes the detached recounting of such events, encapsulating the numbness that can accompany frequent exposure to violence. Cole juxtaposes the eulogy with calls for vengeance, highlighting the relentless pursuit of retribution that often perpetuates the cycle he laments.
