Lyrical Breakdown of Eat to Live - A Journey through Words and Rhymes

Welcome to the detailed analysis of "Eat to Live" on Lazyjot. Here, we unravel the lyrical complexity and artistic brilliance that define this iconic song.

  • Lyric Overview: Witness how Talib Kweli weaves words into powerful emotions and vivid imagery. From intricate rhyme schemes to compelling storytelling, every line in "Eat to Live" is a testament to masterful songwriting.
  • Rhyme and Rhythm Analysis: Our Lazyjot editor highlights the ingenious use of multi-syllabic rhymes and the rhythm pattern that Talib Kweli employs. Understand the construction of each verse and how it contributes to the song's overall impact.
  • Syllable Pattern Insights: Dive deeper into the structural elements of the lyrics. See how the syllable count varies across the song, adding a unique rhythm and flow to Talib Kweli's narrative.

This lyrical analysis of "Eat to Live" not only celebrates Talib Kweli's artistic prowess but also serves as an educational tool for aspiring songwriters. If this analysis inspires you and you'd like to see your own songs analyzed in this way, join the Lazyjot community. Register at Lazyjot and start exploring the full potential of your lyrical creativity. Turn your thoughts into rhymes and your rhymes into songs with Lazyjot!

[Talib Kweli]

Yeah, this is a ghetto prayer

Prayin for all of those who ain't got it

We gotta get it there, we gotta get it yeah

Yeah the people starvin for somethin new, we starvin for it

(My tummy hurts, I couldn't eat)

Mmmm, mmm, mmm

(Did you have fun at school today Trey?)

My little man go to bed so hungry

Get up, go to school with his nose runny, come home with his nose bloody

His sister laughin, he like "What's so funny~?"

'Til she drowned out by the sounds of hunger pains in his tummy

Nuttin in the freezer, nuttin in the fridge

Couple of 40 ounces but nuttin for the kids

Little man know to eat to live but he don't wanna leave the crib

The kid who punched him in his face house right down the street from his

He went anyway, more scared to face his moms

She'll beat him soon as she flip out, seein his face scarred

Walkin past the dopefiends with they smoke to the place of God

Hopes and dreams pourin out the holes in they face and arms

Little man in the face of harm if he don't eat

He need energy so when he go to school he can compete

And keep up, all he got is bodegas

But hey he only got enough a for quarter water and a Now or Later

Anyway, grandma say Jesus'll be here any day

Good - cause with nuttin to eat it's gettin hard to pray... pray...

[Chorus: repeat 4X]

In order to receive, then we need to give

We gotta feed the kids, they gotta eat to live

[Talib Kweli]

Listen...

My rhymes got nutritional value

I get it how I live, it's critical when the conditions allow you

Do you don't trust the critics who doubt you

Try to write shit about you, but they can't make a living without you

Go hungry, you gotta watch what the media feed ya

And don't be a poisoned animal eater either

It's harder than it sound, cause nowadays, put that swine in everything

The white sugar so addictive it's pure 'caine

They got, pork in the toothpaste, soda in the Sunny D

Jello brand gelatin is laced with the lecatin

In Africa they starvin, over here the food hurt you

Cows goin mad and the chickens crunk with bird flu

It's too ill how the food kill it's like blue steel

Lies never set you free, but the truth will

The truth still matter the proof is in the batter or the pudding

You can tell we eatin good, we gettin fatter

[Chorus]

Listen...