Meadowdale H.S. graduation 2012
Middletown H.S. graduation 2012
Dunbar H.S. graduation 2012
Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2010 > October > 08 > Entry
Helping grandma understand those confusing rap lyrics
Do you ever find yourself in the position of having to explain to somebody what a singer just sang? What did he say? What does that mean?
The problem has been around for years. Exhibit #A: Louie, Louie. I could go on…
I can remember my father demanding an explanation of what Mick Jagger was saying in a song by the Rolling Stones. I had a good idea. Mick’s slurring of certain lyrics was fairly indecipherable to my dad. That was probably for the best…
This verbal confusion isn’t going away any time soon. Exhibit #B: rap music. But never fear. A new book will help those who are challenged by those unintelligible rap lyrics. Understand Rap - Explanations of Confusing Rap Lyrics You & Your Grandma Can Understand (Abrams Image) by William Buckholz was published today.
This handy guide will help readers to decipher the actual lyrics to actual songs. Here are some examples:
“Send a jacker into a coma” (lyric from song “Ridin’” on album “The Sound of Revenge” by artist “Chamillionaire”
Translation:“If a person approaches me with a weapon and is intent on taking control of my car and and possibly harming me and my fellow passengers, they could be put into a state of indefinite unconsciousness through an act of self -defense.”
“We pop them toasters” (lyric from song “The Gambler” on album “Man vs Machine” by artist “Xzibit”
Translation: ” We squeeze the triggers of guns as casually as if we were attempting to discharge bread from a kitchen appliance before it had reached the level of warmth and crispness associated with the setting we had selected.”
Note I chose a couple of examples that could actually be quoted in a family publication. Many of the translations are somewhat less printable in this format. This is a very helpful compendium of rap translations. You’ll understand much better what you are hearing in the future after you peruse this guide.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: The melting slushpile
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By H. Lee
October 11, 2010 7:33 PM | Link to this
Reminds me of some “Canadian translations” I heard, back in the bad old days of the 60s. One which sticks with me is: American statement: “Up against the wall, you m…f… pig!” Canadian translation: “Now just a moment, officer. Let’s be reasonable.”
By Sylvie Jones
October 8, 2010 1:24 PM | Link to this
I’ve seen the book; it’s great!
By Edgar
October 8, 2010 12:30 PM | Link to this
What the poet or lyricist originally meant, as ‘interesting’ as it may be, is of less importance to me than what I’m able to obtain from it for personal edification. I am selfish that way. My mind…my playground. ‘Rap’ has connotations of the communication that Spiritualists used to communicate with the dead. Given the violent nature of some rap music, I suppose it is an apropos mocking of the genre .
By NCF
October 8, 2010 11:21 AM | Link to this
Sounds like it’s funkier than a sack of granddaddies.