Simon Says by Pharoahe Monch Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Anthem of Urban Defiance
Lyrics
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh
Uh-uh, uh, ahh
Get the fuck up
Simon says, “Get the fuck up”
Throw your hands in the sky (buh-buh-buh-buh-buh)
Queens is in the back sipping ‘gnac, y’all, what’s up?
Girls, rub on your titties (yeah)
Yeah, I said it, rub on your titties
New York City gritty committee pity the fool
That act shitty in the midst of the calm, the witty
Y’all know the name (uh)
Pharoahe fuckin’ Monch, ain’t a damn thing changed (uh)
You all up in ya Range and shit, inebriated (uh huh)
Strayed from your original plan, you deviated
I alleviated the pain with long-term goals
Took my underground loot, without the gold
You sold platinum ’round the world, I sold wood in the hood
But when I’m in the street and shit, it’s all good
I’m soon to motivate a room, control the game like Tomb Raider
Rock, clock dollars, flip tips like a waiter
Block shots, style’s greater, let my lyrics anoint
If you holding up the wall, then you missin’ the point
Get the fuck up
Simon says, “Get the fuck up”
Put your hands to the sky (buh-buh-buh-buh-buh)
Brooklyn in the back shooting craps now, what’s up?
Girlies, rub on your titties (yeah)
Yeah, fuck it, I said rub on your titties (uh huh)
New York City gritty committee pity the fool
That act shitty in the midst of the calm, the witty
Yo, where you at? Uptown, let me see ’em
Notorious for the six-fives and the BMs
Heads give you beef, you put ’em in the mausoleum
And shit don’t start pumping ’til after 12 PM
Uh, ignorant minds, I free ’em
If you tired of the same old everyday you will agree, I’m
The most obligated, hard and R-rated
Slated to be the best, I must confess, the star made it
Some might even say this song is sexist-es
‘Cause I asked the girls to rub on their breast-eses
Whether you’re riding the train or a Lexus-es
This is for either or Rollies or Timex-eses
Wicked like Exorcist, this is the joint
You holding up the wall then you missing the point
Get the fuck up
Simon says, “Get the fuck up”
Throw your hands in the sky (buh-buh-buh-buh-buh)
The Bronx is in the back shooting craps now, what’s up?
Girls rub on your titties (yeah)
I said, rub on your titties
New York City gritty committee pity the fool
That act shitty in the midst of the calm, the witty
New Jeruz, get the fuck up
Shaolin (yeah) get the fuck up
Long Isle (come on) get the fuck up
Worldwide (come on, come on) get the fuck up
Pharoahe Monch’s ‘Simon Says’ isn’t just a track; it’s an explosive declaration stamped with the authority of the streets. At first listen, it might sound like a song simply created to get the crowd moving with its blaring brass and catchy chorus. But delve deeper, and it reveals itself as a treasure trove of social commentary, laced with Monch’s braggadocio and clever wordplay.
The biting exuberance of ‘Simon Says’ captures a moment in time, distilling the essence of urban life and rap culture at the turn of the millennium. It’s a subversive call to action, a shake-down of the status quo, and a celebration of the indomitable spirit of New York City’s boroughs. Let’s dissect the genius behind the brazen bars and find out what Monch is really commanding us to see.
A Verbal Takedown of Complacency
Pharoahe Monch doesn’t aim for subtlety with ‘Simon Says’; he hits the ground running with imperative lyrics that demand attention. The hook – a command for universal movement – ‘Get the fuck up’ – acts as a metaphorical jolt, urging listeners to awaken from their lethargy and pay attention to the world around them. It’s both a literal and figurative call to arms, a declaration of his intent to rouse and stir the masses.
In an era flooded with bling and materialism, Monch’s stance is clear: he rejects these gaudy symbols of success in favor of authenticity and lyrical prowess. His reference to selling ‘wood in the hood’ as opposed to platinum records worldwide is a direct assault on the prevailing music industry norms. It’s a boast that emphasizes substance over style, and real recognition over fleeting radio hits.
The Anthem of New York’s Grit
‘Simon Says’ serves as a gritty love letter to New York City. Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, all receive their shout-outs, as Monch highlights the uniqueness of each borough’s culture and lifestyle. The reference to locations aligns the listener with the tangible, raw facets of city life, from sipping ‘gnac in the back’ to the iconic pastime of shooting craps.
The song resonates with an authenticity that only one who has lived and breathed the streets of New York can deliver. The ‘gritty committee’ is an ode to those who’ve experienced the city’s tougher side and emerged with defiance, unwilling to succumb to pity or hardship.
Lyricism as a Social Mirror
At face value, the directive to ‘rub on your titties’ may strike as brash or even distasteful, but within the context of the song, it carries a deeper reflection. It represents the braggadocio often found in rap, but it’s also a nod to the individual empowerment and bodily autonomy celebrated within the genre. It’s a stark reminder of hip-hop’s ability to embrace and normalize what society might find controversial.
The song can be seen as Monch’s commentary on the censorious attitudes that often seek to govern people’s behavior. By invoking a rebellious spirit, it becomes a renegade chant against the policing of the body and culture, challenging the notion of what is deemed acceptable in mainstream media.
Underscoring the Cultural Shifts
As Monch commands different demographics ‘to get the fuck up’, he illustrates the coming together of diverse groups under a unified banner of hip-hop culture. It’s a demonstration of the genre’s expansive influence, reaching people across all walks of life from ‘Uptown’ to ‘Shaolin’.
Extending beyond geographical boundaries, the track becomes an anthem of connection, asserting its claim on a worldwide stage. This was the era when hip-hop was cementing its global reach, and ‘Simon Says’ captures the essence of that cultural shift, prompting both local and international audiences to rise in a collective call.
The Hidden Message Behind the Aggression
‘Simon Says’ is cloaked in an aggressive tone and a seemingly simplistic refrain, but the hidden message is a sophisticated interpretation of societal power dynamics. It questions who truly has the authority to command action or elicit response, flipping the script on the traditional ‘Simon says’ game of command and obedience.
Monch skillfully uses the song’s aggression as a medium to motivate autonomy and question blind conformity. Inverting the familiar children’s game into a powerful representation of rebellion, Monch isn’t just playing ‘Simon’; he’s deconstructing the very idea of obedience, asserting that, in this game of life, we ultimately call the shots for ourselves.
