Everything Is Everything by Lauryn Hill Lyrics Meaning – The Transcendent Philosophy of a Neo-Soul Anthem
Lyrics
What is meant to be, will be
After winter, must come spring
Change, it comes eventually
Everything is everything
What is meant to be, will be
After winter, must come spring
Change, it comes eventually
I wrote these words for everyone who struggles in their youth
Who won’t accept deception, instead of what is truth
It seems we lose the game
Before we even start to play
Who made these rules? (Who made these rules?)
We’re so confused (We’re so confused)
Easily led astray
Let me tell ya that
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
After winter, must come spring
Everything is everything
I philosophy
Possibly speak tongues
Beat drum, Abyssinian, street Baptist
Rap this in fine linen, from the beginning
My practice extending across the atlas
I begat this
Flipping in the ghetto on a dirty mattress
You can’t match this rapper slash actress
More powerful than two Cleopatras
Bomb graffiti on the tomb of Nefertiti
MCs ain’t ready to take it to the Serengeti
My rhymes is heavy like the mind of sister Betty (Betty Shabazz)
L-Boogie spars with stars and constellations
Then came down for a little conversation
Adjacent to the king, fear no human being
Roll with cherubims to Nassau Coliseum
Now hear this mixture, where Hip Hop meets scripture
Develop a negative into a positive picture
Now everything is everything
What is meant to be, will be
After winter, must come spring
Change, it comes eventually
Sometimes it seems
We’ll touch that dream
But things come slow or not at all
And the ones on top, won’t make it stop
So convinced that they might fall
Let’s love ourselves and we can’t fail
To make a better situation
Tomorrow, our seeds will grow
All we need is dedication
Let me tell ya that
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
After winter, must come spring
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
What is meant to be, will be
After winter, must come spring
Change, it comes eventually
At the intersection of neo-soul, hip-hop, and poetry lies Lauryn Hill’s ‘Everything Is Everything,’ a track that’s as much a manifesto as it is a song. Released in 1998 as part of her seminal album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ the song has continued to resonate with listeners for its profound lyrics and powerful message. It’s a dense patchwork of cultural references, personal struggle, and political commentary, woven together with the skilful thread of Hill’s lyrical prowess.
Approaching this masterpiece, we uncover layers of meaning that speak to both the personal and the collective experience. With each line, Hill invites us into a world of reflection on the cycles of life, the search for truth, and the empowering act of creation. Here, we dive deep into the essence of ‘Everything Is Everything’ and explore what makes this track an enduring beacon in the landscape of modern music.
A Lyrical Labyrinth – Unraveling Hill’s Verse
Hill’s ‘Everything Is Everything’ is a lyrical labyrinth, with each verse opening doors to multiple interpretations and insights. The track confronts the cyclical nature of existence—’After winter, must come spring’—and this deterministic outlook encapsulates the ebb and flow of life’s seasons. It’s a declaration that change is inevitable, a comfort to those weathering personal winters, and a reminder that growth and rebirth are just around the corner.
But Hill’s words go beyond comfort; they challenge us to confront and reject deception in favor of truth. The ‘struggles in their youth’ she speaks of are timeless, crossing generations. They symbolize the broader human condition, a tension between the game’s preordained rules and the individual’s search for authenticity.
Decoding the Song’s Hidden Meaning
Amongst the vivid imagery and cultural shout-outs, Hill embeds a deeper, hidden meaning: the empowerment of the oppressed. She references historical figures like Nefertiti and Betty Shabazz, connecting the struggle of her contemporaries with that of powerful women from history. Her words ‘Develop a negative into a positive picture’ succinctly capture the essence of turning adversity into strength.
The hidden message is one of resistance and resilience. Hill responds to social and historical injustices by advocating for a mental revolution. ‘I philosophy/Possibly speak tongues,’ could suggest that instead of just rapping, she’s infusing her lyrics with a deeper, philosophical wisdom that crosses language barriers and unites people across the globe.
The Anthem of Dedication and Growth
Lauryn Hill elevates the song from personal testimony to universal anthem with her call for dedication and self-love. ‘Tomorrow, our seeds will grow/All we need is dedication’ is an impassioned cry for perseverance. It recognizes that progress is slow and often invisible, yet asserts that through love and commitment, a better future is within reach.
This theme of growth stretches beyond mere self-improvement; it heralds societal change. The lyrics suggest that foundational shifts in perspective and action today can cultivate a different, more just world for future generations.
Memorable Lines and Their Lasting Impact
Certain lines in ‘Everything Is Everything’ are etched into the collective memory for their piercing insight and lyrical beauty. ‘It seems we lose the game/Before we even start to play’ encapsulates a sentiment of systemic disenfranchisement. It’s a powerful comment on the barriers faced by many before they even have a chance to prove themselves.
These memorable lines gain their power from the raw truth they deliver, coupled with Hill’s delivery, which combines passion with a smooth, confident flow. The potency of these words stems from their capacity to resonate across different contexts and their ability to capture the listener’s own struggles and aspirations.
From the Streets to the Cosmos: Hill’s Revolutionary Vision
Within the span of ‘Everything Is Everything,’ Lauryn Hill traverses from the ‘ghetto on a dirty mattress’ to spinning lyrical threads that connect with ‘stars and constellations.’ This bold juxtaposition of the earthly and the heavenly captures the essence of Hill’s vision: a call to recognize the divine within the downtrodden and the potential for transcendence amid trial.
The song serves as a testament to the idea that the revolution is not just external; it’s a mental and spiritual awakening. Hill’s revolutionary vision is encompassed in her blending of hip-hop and scripture, asserting that the genre possesses an inherent spirituality capable of profound societal change.
