Chocolate Rain

This song is really obviously about racism. Most of it actually makes perfect sense.

Chocolate Rain Some stay dry and others feel the pain

Basically, some people are "lucky" enough to be born white, and not have to deal with racism on a day to day issues.

Chocolate Rain A baby born will die before the sin

Dunno. Possible reference to higher infant mortality in black people.

Chocolate Rain The school books say it can't be here again

The education system glosses over issues of racism, and paints a world of racial equality, even though that’s far from the truth.

Chocolate Rain The prisons make you wonder where it went

Basically, “If racism is gone, how come black people are over-represented in prison?”

Chocolate Rain Build a tent and say the world is dry

People rationalise and generalise about how there are some very successful black people thank you very much….

Chocolate Rain Zoom the camera out and see the lie

…but when you take a look at the broader perspective that argument comes undone.

Chocolate Rain Forecast to be falling yesterday

It’s happening today…

Chocolate Rain Only in the past is what they say

Even though people try to say that racism has died out

Chocolate Rain Raised your neighborhood insurance rates Chocolate Rain Makes us happy 'livin in a gate

Both of these lines refer to the perceived higher crime rate in suburbs with many black people, and to people who move into gated communities to avoid “those kind of people”

Chocolate Rain Made me cross the street the other day

Crossing the street to avoid a insert minority here

Chocolate Rain Made you turn your head the other way

Ignoring the plight of others because they’re a different race.

(Chorus) Chocolate Rain History quickly crashing through your veins Chocolate Rain Using you to fall back down again [Repeat]

Chocolate Rain Seldom mentioned on the radio

Duh.

Chocolate Rain Its the fear your leaders call control

Refers to political conservatives who appeal to a racist voter base.

Chocolate Rain Worse than swearing worse than calling names

Again, duh.

Chocolate Rain Say it publicly and you're insane

Refers to the incident where comedian Michael Richards called audience members niggers. He was later quoted as saying “I'm not a racist. That's what's so insane about this.”

Chocolate Rain No one wants to hear about it now Chocolate Rain Wish real hard it goes away somehow

Again, referring to people’s desire to just avoid the problem and hope it goes away.

Chocolate Rain Makes the best of friends begin to fight Chocolate Rain But did they know each other in the light?

Racism causes divisiveness.

Chocolate Rain Every February washed away Chocolate Rain Stays behind as colors celebrate

Not sure about this one.

Chocolate Rain The same crime has a higher price to pay

Black people frequently get harsher sentences for the same crimes as white people.

chocolate Rain The judge and jury swear it's not the face

See above. Deny it all you like but racism DOES have a hand in sentencing.

(Chorus)

Chocolate Rain Dirty secrets of economy Chocolate Rain Turns that body into GDP

Possible reference to unfair trade practices that exploit the African worker.

Chocolate Rain The bell curve blames the baby's DNA

This is a reference to the fact that black people score, on average, 15 points lower on the I.Q. ‘bell curve’. Racist idiots claim that this is because black people are inherently inferior, i.e. it’s “in their DNA”. However…

Chocolate Rain But test scores are how much the parents make

It’s been proven that the difference is in fact a function of socioeconomic disadvantage, rather than genetic background.

Chocolate Rain 'Flippin cars in France the other night

No idea about this one.

Chocolate Rain Cleans the sewers out beneath Mumbai

Possible reference to the Caste system in India, and how the lower “untouchable” caste is forced to do all of the really dirty jobs (i.e. sewer worker)

Chocolate Rain 'Cross the world and back its all the same Chocolate Rain Angels cry and shake their heads in shame

Racism = terrible

Chocolate Rain Lifts the ark of paradise in sin Chocolate Rain Which part do you think you're 'livin in?

Chocolate Rain More than 'marchin more than passing law Chocolate Rain Remake how we got to where we are

Reference to the civil rights movement.

**I move away from the mic to breathe in

Chocolate rain clearly represents the idea of racism and slavery.

"Chocolate Rain The same crime has a higher price to pay chocolate Rain The judge and jury swear it's not the face"

I think that could mean that it's atleast PARTLY about discrimination, most likely towards colored people. "The same crime has a higher price to pay," meaning a black person's punishment is worse than say, a white person's, just because they're a different race. And then "The judge and jury swear it's not the face," meaning exactly what it says. They swear they're not being biased, and that their decision relies nothing on the color of their skin. Tay Zonday could also mean discrimination in general, not just towards colored people, because although it's not as common as it used to be, it's still a big problem.

It's a great song. Really something you have to think about.

The "flippin cars in France the other night" line most likely refers to the riots going on in France in 2005...I don't know much about it but I know that it had to do with racism towards North African immigrants.

Well done Breetai. I seriously thought it was just nonsense with no meaning until you dissected it.

'Flippin cars in France the other night

is most likely a reference to the 20 days of riots in France in 2005, where race and socioeconomic factors played a big role.

February is Black History Month which may or may not tie into the line:

"Chocolate Rain Every February washed away Chocolate Rain Stays behind as colors celebrate"

every February washed away

I think its referring to Black History Month

breetai:

February is Black history month btw.

This song is clearly about the hardships of being an african american in modern day american.

Chocolate Rain The same crime has a higher price to pay chocolate Rain The judge and jury swear it's not the face

*Racism in the courts, the thought that black individuals are more easily and severely accused than the majorities.

Chocolate Rain The school books say it can't be here again Chocolate Rain The prisons make you wonder where it went

*We were taught that racism is a thing of the past, and has been defeated. If so, then why are the jails so full of blacks?

Chocolate Rain Every February washed away Chocolate Rain Stays behind as colors celebrate

This is the most obvious indication that the song is complaining about the hardships. February is African American Freedom month. It is the one month of the year they are officially recognized. Every year the month is washed away and forgotten.

This song is clearly talking about racism. It holds true in every single statement.