This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Timeless Party Anthem
Lyrics
This is how we do it
La, la, la, la la, lo lo
La, la, la, lo lo, oh
This is how we do it
La, la la, la oh
This is how we do it
It’s Friday night and I feel alright
The party’s here on the West side
So I reach for my 40 and I turn it up
Designated driver take the keys to my truck
Hit the shore ’cause I’m faded
Honeys in the street say, “Monty, yo we made it”
It feels so good in my hood tonight
The summertime skirts and the guys in Kani
All the gang bangers forgot about the drive-by
You gotta get your groove on, before you go get paid
So tip up your cup and throw your hands up
And let me hear the party say
I’m kinda buzzed, it’s all because
(This is how we do it)
South Central does it like nobody does
(This is how we do it)
To all my neighbors you got much flavor
(This is how we do it)
Let’s flip the track, bring the old school back
(This is how we do it)
This is how we do it, all hands are in the air
And wave them from here to there
If you’re an O.G. Mack or a wanna-be player
You see the hood’s been good to me
Ever since I was a lower-case G
But now I’m a big G, the girls see I got the money
Hundred dollar bills y’all
If you were from where I’m from then you would know
That I gotta get mine in a big black truck
You can get yours in a ’64
Whatever it is, the party’s underway
So tip up your cup and throw your hands up
And let me hear the party say
I’m kinda buzzed, it’s all because
(This is how we do it)
South Central does it like nobody does
(This is how we do it)
To all my neighbors you got much flavor
(This is how we do it)
Let’s flip the track, bring the old school back
(This is how we do it)
I’m kinda buzzed, it’s all because
(This is how we do it)
South Central does it like nobody does, nobody does
(This is how we do it)
Y?N-Vee, SCC, they’re my homies
(This is how we do it)
I’ll never come wack on an old school track
(This is how we do it)
Check it out
Once upon a time in ’94
Montell made no money and life sure was slow
And all they said was 6’8″ he stood
And people thought the music that he made was good
There lived a DJ and Paul was his name
He came up to Monty, this is what he said
“You and Oji are gonna make some cash
Sell a million records and we’re makin’ the dash”
Oh I’m buzzing because
(This is how we do it)
South Central does it like nobody does
(This is how we do it)
To all my neighbors you got much flavor
(This is how we do it)
I’ll never come wack on an old school track
(This is how we do it)
I’m kinda buzzed it’s all because
(This is how we do it)
South Central does it like nobody does, nobody does
(This is how we do it)
Oh it’s party time
(This is how we do it)
Straight up comin’ from the west side
(This is how we do it)
Oji’s got the flavor, yeah
(This is how we do it)
And Monty does it like nobody does it
(This is how we do it)
C’mon now, Def Jam, you know that
(This is how we do it)
This is how we do it
Yo Montell, this Percy, man
The barber, your barber
Man I’m sitting up here listening to ya tape, dude
And this shit is on, man
You gon’ make it, fool
Keep on doing what you doing, man
My phone number is area code
Nine oh nine, zero, eighty-
Gimme a call, man
We getting ready to step out to the Fox Hills Mall right now, but uh
It’s Monday morning about a quarter to eleven, peace
From the moment the infectious beat of Montell Jordan’s ‘This Is How We Do It’ reverberates through the airwaves, there’s an irresistible pull to the dance floor. The song isn’t just an uptempo track that dominated the charts in the mid-90s; it’s a cultural touchstone that captured the essence of an era. Released in 1995, it became not only Jordan’s defining single but also an anthem for the celebration of community spirit and the simple joy of partying.
But there’s more to ‘This Is How We Do It’ than its catchy chorus and groove-inducing bassline. Montell Jordan hymns an urban narrative that’s as much about personal triumph as it is about the collective experience of a Friday night. It’s a layered tale woven with nostalgia, a love letter to the streets that raised him, and a roadmap of an artist’s rise to the top.
An Ode to the West Side Story
Within the first verse, Montell paints an almost cinematic picture of his neighborhood’s transition from day to day grind to nighttime revelry. He plants the listener firmly on the ‘West side,’ a realm synonymous with both hip-hop’s ascendancy and the harsh realities of inner-city life. The song becomes a celebration of survival and escapism, where the ‘summertime skirts and the guys in Kani’ can momentarily forget the harsher aspects of their environment.
The significance of the ‘Friday night’ isn’t lost on us – it’s not just the start of the weekend but a communal catharsis. Jordan’s lyrics suggest a temporary truce between life’s challenges and the power of good times, tethered to the ‘designated driver’ role model, reinforcing a message of responsible enjoyment.
Sipping from Nostalgia’s Cup
‘Let’s flip the track, bring the old school back,’ Jordan croons, and with that line, we’re invited to a retrospective toast to the music of yesteryears — an era where hip-hop was burgeoning into mainstream consciousness. This line isn’t a mere throwaway; it’s an acknowledgment of the sonic evolution that paved the way for artists like Jordan himself to succeed.
It’s also a call to remember the roots, to value the ‘old school’ — be it music, values, or a form of unity within the community. The ‘90s nostalgia hits a zenith here, inviting listeners to reminisce their own golden years, whatever those may have been.
Vibrant Verses: The Memorable One-Liners
The song’s call-and-response format, with Montell’s smooth declaration of ‘I’m kinda buzzed, it’s all because,’ followed by the crowd’s energetic ‘This is how we do it!’ creates an interactive space where singer and listener come together in joyous collusion. This lyrical exchange captures the essence of party culture — it’s communal, it’s inclusive, and it’s unforgettable.
But this line also hints at the personal uplift — the ‘buzz’ not just from the ambiance or the alcohol, but from the success and recognition that seemed to pour in as rapidly as the rhythm itself. It’s a moment of self-acknowledgment, a victory lap in song form.
Behind the Beat: The Song’s Hidden Meaning
Diving into ‘This Is How We Do It,’ one uncovers a narrative of personal ascent and community celebration, intertwined with a deeper commentary on the socio-economic struggle. Montell’s reference to his past — ‘Ever since I was a lowercase G’ — is as much about his youthful anonymity as it is about the universal rite of passage from innocence to experience, hardship to achievement.
The song reflects an artist’s transition from being part of the crowd to being at its center. Montell’s journey from being ‘6’8
The Rhythm of Resilience: A Cultural Impact Recap
Montell Jordan’s ‘This Is How We Do It’ is more than just a party track; it’s a resilient narrative that has reverberated through the decades. It connects with the listener on multiple levels, from the collective consciousness of a generation brought up on hip-hop to the personal aspirations that resonate with the quest for one’s dreams.
The track’s impact was immediate and lasting, influencing a bevy of artists who sought to capture that same infectious spirit and authenticity. It’s not just about how Montell and his ‘homies’ party, but about how we all find our piece of joy within the life’s rhythm, against the odds. This is the lasting meaning of ‘This Is How We Do It’: an upbeat blueprint for celebration, reflection, and triumph.
