The Roots
Lyric guide

Why (What's Going On?)

Read Why (What's Going On?) lyrics by The Roots on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

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Page type: lyric reference Artist: The Roots Canonical path: /the-roots/why-what-s-going-on Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Why (What's Going On?)

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WHY?? [6 x's]

Sky's the limit so you know I'm gonna rise and shine

I gotta do my thing, I'm kinda getting a little tired of all that's hidden

That's the reason I'm a speak my mind, keep from going insane

Now work with it, we in the last innin'

The world keeps spinnin', my peoples steady losin' while the rich keep winnin'

It's like we neva smilin' and the devil steady grinnin'

killin' what we representin'

Even our children and women, 2K4, livin' above and under the law

Young teen joins the marines, says he'll die for the core

Inducted up into the goverment's war as if the land of money and oil

Funny how ain't none of it yours

I can't sleep yo I'm paranoid, it's code orange

It's far from right, I guess that's why it feels so wrong

To see the world get stripped out of every resource

And people pray to Coca-Cola now instead of the gods

What's goin' on?

WHY?? [6 x's]

Keepin' your head above water, hustlin' to survive

Some people chasin' a dream, others just chasin' a high

Some people blind leading the blind, they chasin' a lie

Some people chokin' backs broken barely makin' it by

But still they workin' all they live, they pushin' for the light

Givin' everything they got to stitch them swishes on ya Nike's

Puttin' pockets on our jeans, mining diamonds for them rings

Rewarded with small change and bullets in the brains

And it makes me feel strange everything we take for granted

At times I feel stranded on this planet of mine

Now should I pull the hammer, clap it out, and laugh about it

Or stand up, be counted while I cast my ballot

When the undertaker's busy and the prison's is crowded

People livin' in fear because they vision is clouded

But the sky's the limit, I ain't cryin' you a river

Gotta move me a mountain, I'm a git up and shout it

WHY?? [6 x's]

When I dream it's hounds on my heels gainin' momentum

I'm tired, can't get uninspired or quit runnin'

I can feel they only inches behind, I escape, I survive

Some how I gotta decide how much I want it

Or is anybody listenin' without a pot to piss in

If I disappear I wonder if the world will know I'm missin'

Who my support system, it's not the court system

Gotta letter it said that you're not avoiding prison

People 'neath the microscope 'cause we defining the culture

They smile and insult you like you shinin' their loafers

Them old heads say we need a modern day Moses

When the leaders is posers we needing some soldiers

It's the X generation, The anger is a nature

Got the writing on the wall so clear that I can taste it

Like a kid sniffing glue somewhere trying to escape

Cause we vulnerable and naked

Gotta show 'em we can make it

WHY?? [hook repeats out]

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Who performs "Why (What's Going On?)"?

The Roots performs "Why (What's Going On?)", and this lyric page sits inside the The Roots catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Why (What's Going On?)"?

Yes. The related section below points to I'm Out Deah and Kool On (feat. P.o.r.n.) with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by The Roots?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through The Roots's lyric pages.

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