The Magic Number

Three, that's the magic number (three)

Yes, it is, it's the magic number (three)

Somewhere in this hip-hop soul community

Was born three: Mase, Dove and me

And that's the magic number

(What does it all mean?)

Difficult preachin' is Posdnuos' pleasure

Pleasure and preachin' starts in the heart

Somethin' that stimulates the music in my measure

Measure in my music, raised in three parts

Casually see, but don't do like the soul

'Cause seein' and doin' are actions for monkeys

Doin' hip-hop hustle, no rock and roll

Unless your name's Brewster

'Cause Brewster's a punk (three)

Parents, let go, 'cause there's magic in the air

Criticisin' rap shows you're out of order

Stop, look and listen to the phrase Fred Astaires

And don't get offended while Mase do-si-do's your daughter

A tri-camera rolls since our music's now set

Fly rhymes are stored on a DAISY production

It stands for Da Inner Sound, Y'All and y'all can bet

That the action's, not a trick, but sho nuff a function

Everybody wants to be a DJ

Everybody wants to be an MC

But being speakers are the best

And you don't have to guess

De La Soul posse consists of three

And that's the magic number (three)

This here piece of the pie

Is not dessert, but the course that we dine

And three out of every darn time

The effect is hmm, when a DAISY grows in your mind

Showin' true position, this here piece is

Kissin' the part of the pie that's missin'

When that negative number fills up the cavity

Maybe you can subtract it

You can call it your lucky partner

Maybe you can call it your adjective

But odd as it may be

Without my one and two, where would there be my three?

Mase, Pos and me

And that's the magic number

Focus is formed by flaunts to the soul

Souls who flaunt styles gain praises by pounds

Common are speakers who honor the scroll

Scrolls written daily creates a new sound

Listeners, listen, 'cause this here is wisdom

Wisdom of a Speaker, a Dove and a Plug

Set aside a legal substance to feed 'em

For now, get 'em high off this dialect drug (three)

Time is a factor so it's time that counts

Count not the negative actions of one

Speakers of soul say it's time to shout

Three forms the soul to a positive sum'

Dance to this fix and flex every muscle

Space can be filled if you rise like my lumber

Advance to the tune, but don't do the hustle

Shake, rattle, roll to my magic number (three)

Now you may try to subtract it

But it just won't go away

Three times one? (What is it?)

(One, two, three) and that's a magic number

(Yo, what's up?)

(One, two, three)

(I say: Children, what does it all mean?)

(Woah, woah, oh, oh) (one, two, three)

(I wouldn't lie to you)

(No more, no less, that's a magic number) (three)

(No more, no less) (what it is?)

(No more, no less)

(No more, no less) (do the shang-a-lang)

(No more, no less)

(No more, no less)

(Anybody in the audience ever get hit by a car?)

(No more, no less) (how high's the water, mama?)

(No more, no less) (how high's the water, mama?)

(No more, no less) (three feet high and rising)

(No more, no less) (three)

(That's a magic number)