In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I used to hump my pillow at night.
The type of silent prayer to help myself prepare for the light.
Me and my cousin Duce would rank the girls between one and ten
And the highest number got to be my pillows pretend.
Now I apologize to every high ranker.
But you taught me how to dream and so I also thank you.
I never had the courage to approach you at school.
We joked around a lot and I know you thought I dressed cool.
But I was just covering up all the insecurities that came bubbling up.
My complexion had
Me stuck in an emotional rut, 'like the time you Flavor Flaved me and you called me
"Yo Chuck, they say
You're too black, man".
I think I'm too black.
Mom, do you think I'm too black? I think I'm too black.
Black Stacey.
They called me Black Stacey.
I never got to be myself 'cause to
Myself I always was Black Stacey, in polka dots
And paisley, a double goose
And bally shoes, you thought it wouldn't phase me.
I was Black Stacey.
The preachers' son from Haiti
Who rhymed a lot and always got the dance steps at the party.
I was Black Stacey.
You thought it wouldn't phase me, but it did 'cause I was just a kid.
I used to use bleaching creme, 'til Madame CJ Walker walked into my dreams.
I dreamt of being white and
Complimented by you, but the only shiny black thing that you liked was my shoes.
Now, I apologize for bottling up
All the little things you said that warped my head and my gut.
Even though I always told you not to
Brag about the fact that your great grand
Mother was raped by her slave master. Yeah, I became
Militant too.
So it was clear on every level I was blacker than you.
I turned you on to Malcolm X and
Assata Shakur in my three quarter elephant goose with the fur.
I had the high top fade
With the steps on the side.
I had the two finger ring, rag top on the ride.
I had the sheep skin, name
Belt, Lee suit, Kangol, acid wash Vasco, chicken and waffle.
Black Stacey.
They called me Black Stacey.
I never got to be myself 'cause to myself I always was Black Stacey, in polka dots
And paisley, a double goose and bally shoes, you thought it wouldn't phase me.
I was Black Stacey. the preachers'
Son from Haiti who
Rhymed a lot and always got the dance steps at the party.
I was Black Stacey.
You thought it wouldn't phase me, but it did 'cause I was just a kid.
Now here's a little
Message for you.
All you baller playa's got
Some insecurities too, that you could cover up, bling it up, cash in
And ching ching it up, hope no
One will bring it up, lock it down and string it up.
Or you can share your essence with us, 'cause everything about you couldn't be rugged
And ruff.
And even though you tote a
Glock and you're hot on the
Streets, if you dare to share your heart, we'll nod our heart to
Its beat.
And you should do that, if nothing else, to prove
That a player like you could keep it honest and true. Don't mean to call your bluff but
Mothafucka that's what I do.
You got platinum chain
Then, son, I'm probably talking to you.
And you can call your gang, your posse and the rest of your crew.
And while you're at it get them addicts and the indigent too. I plan to have a whole army
By the time that I'm through to load their guns with songs they haven't sung.
The type of silent prayer to help myself prepare for the light.
Me and my cousin Duce would rank the girls between one and ten
And the highest number got to be my pillows pretend.
Now I apologize to every high ranker.
But you taught me how to dream and so I also thank you.
I never had the courage to approach you at school.
We joked around a lot and I know you thought I dressed cool.
But I was just covering up all the insecurities that came bubbling up.
My complexion had
Me stuck in an emotional rut, 'like the time you Flavor Flaved me and you called me
"Yo Chuck, they say
You're too black, man".
I think I'm too black.
Mom, do you think I'm too black? I think I'm too black.
Black Stacey.
They called me Black Stacey.
I never got to be myself 'cause to
Myself I always was Black Stacey, in polka dots
And paisley, a double goose
And bally shoes, you thought it wouldn't phase me.
I was Black Stacey.
The preachers' son from Haiti
Who rhymed a lot and always got the dance steps at the party.
I was Black Stacey.
You thought it wouldn't phase me, but it did 'cause I was just a kid.
I used to use bleaching creme, 'til Madame CJ Walker walked into my dreams.
I dreamt of being white and
Complimented by you, but the only shiny black thing that you liked was my shoes.
Now, I apologize for bottling up
All the little things you said that warped my head and my gut.
Even though I always told you not to
Brag about the fact that your great grand
Mother was raped by her slave master. Yeah, I became
Militant too.
So it was clear on every level I was blacker than you.
I turned you on to Malcolm X and
Assata Shakur in my three quarter elephant goose with the fur.
I had the high top fade
With the steps on the side.
I had the two finger ring, rag top on the ride.
I had the sheep skin, name
Belt, Lee suit, Kangol, acid wash Vasco, chicken and waffle.
Black Stacey.
They called me Black Stacey.
I never got to be myself 'cause to myself I always was Black Stacey, in polka dots
And paisley, a double goose and bally shoes, you thought it wouldn't phase me.
I was Black Stacey. the preachers'
Son from Haiti who
Rhymed a lot and always got the dance steps at the party.
I was Black Stacey.
You thought it wouldn't phase me, but it did 'cause I was just a kid.
Now here's a little
Message for you.
All you baller playa's got
Some insecurities too, that you could cover up, bling it up, cash in
And ching ching it up, hope no
One will bring it up, lock it down and string it up.
Or you can share your essence with us, 'cause everything about you couldn't be rugged
And ruff.
And even though you tote a
Glock and you're hot on the
Streets, if you dare to share your heart, we'll nod our heart to
Its beat.
And you should do that, if nothing else, to prove
That a player like you could keep it honest and true. Don't mean to call your bluff but
Mothafucka that's what I do.
You got platinum chain
Then, son, I'm probably talking to you.
And you can call your gang, your posse and the rest of your crew.
And while you're at it get them addicts and the indigent too. I plan to have a whole army
By the time that I'm through to load their guns with songs they haven't sung.
Lyrics submitted by timetolookup
Black Stacey Lyrics as written by Saul Williams
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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in concert saul williams stated before this song that it isnt about being black at all, but about being yourself regardless of what others see in you
saul's middle name is stacey
Every rapper needs to listen to this song.... to much music out there that truly has no point. Williams breaks that mold with everything he does.
dude everyone needs to fully comprehend this song.<br /> It applies to everyone.<br /> False identity of any sort.<br />
Yeah you're right sp6pd. He's talking about keeping your true self hidden from the rest of the world. He's just using himself as an example.
oh my god, this rings so true.. it's about everyone in america that is 'too black' (either by their standards or by society's) and in a way, dislikes or even hates them self for it. being half-black myself this is a song that i really can relate to, feeling as though i was 'too black' when i was around my mom's family. saul williams is an amazing artist.
It's worth noting that Saul has said in an interview that he looks at and within himself, and knows that other people will relate to that. He compared it to two neighbours that each drew water from their own well, but both wells had the same water source.
So it makes sense that this song is about 'false identity' - this simply exemplifies it through his experience - as leakeg said, his middle name is Stacey, and, well, his dad was a preacher. I'm under the impression that the whole song speaks of Saul's own personal and real experiences, not just metaphors.
Yeah, I think Saul is always as sincere as possible. He uses his experiences as testimony to help others become liberated and secure about themselves. His music is very positive and optimisstic.
interesting song. i first heard it and i thought it was extremely catchy. but then i listened to it and i thought that the lyrics were extremely powerful. i even related in a way to his experiences.
oh, and it's also about getting over the problems and being yourself regardless of race - and if you have the chance, expressing yourself truly to a listening audience. i think that is very true because too many rappers today talk about being rich and women, not many will actually talk about emotional turmoil.
This song is amazing. So catchy and powerful, you've got ot love it. It's inspiring.