Song Meaning

Erykah Badu's "Otherside of the Game" isn't just a song; it's a stark, unflinching portrait of love and survival under the weight of systemic pressure. Badu, with her signature blend of soulful vocals and raw honesty, delves into the complexities of a relationship where one partner is entangled in the precarious world of illicit hustling. The track refuses to romanticize the struggle, instead presenting a grounded perspective from the woman who loves a man caught in the undertow. It's about the psychological tightrope walk of loving someone whose means of survival are constantly threatened, and the anxiety of knowing that 'they' – the ever-present forces of law and judgment – could come at any moment. The repeated question, "What you gonna do when they come for you?" hangs heavy, not as an accusation, but as a genuine plea and a shared burden. At its core, "Otherside of the Game" is a meditation on the compromises and contradictions inherent in striving for a better life when legitimate avenues are blocked. The lyrics, "Work ain't honest but it pays the bills," encapsulate the moral ambiguity that the characters navigate daily. There's a simultaneous acknowledgment of the necessity of the 'game' and the emotional toll it takes on the family unit. The woman's internal conflict is palpable: she recognizes the societal forces that push her partner towards this path, evidenced by the line about his graduation, suggesting he tried the 'right' way, yet she also grapples with the fear and uncertainty that his choices bring into their lives. The song highlights the psychological burden of living in a constant state of precarity, where love and loyalty are tested by external pressures. Ultimately, Badu doesn't offer easy answers or a neatly packaged resolution. Instead, "Otherside of the Game" dwells in the gray areas, exploring the resilience and resourcefulness required to maintain love and family in the face of overwhelming odds. The refrain, "He became the sun, I became the moon," hints at a co-dependent relationship, a delicate balance where each relies on the other for survival, yet also acknowledges the inherent instability of their situation. The outro, with Badu's repeated affirmations of support and understanding, reinforces the song's central theme: a woman's unwavering love and commitment to her partner, even as they both navigate the treacherous landscape of a system designed to keep them down. It's a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the enduring power of love amidst chaos.

Erykah Badu - R&B, Soul Jazz

Otherside of the Game

105.3K Plays

Duration: 6:34

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[Intro] [?] [Chorus] What you gonna do when they come for you? Work ain't honest but it pays the bills (Mm) What we gonna do when they come for you? Gave me the life that I came to live [Verse 1] Do I really Want my baby? Brother, tell me what to do I know you got to get yo' hustle on So I pray I understand the game, sometimes And I love you strong, mm, but [Chorus] What you gonna do when they come for you? Work ain't honest but it pays the bills (Yes, it does) What we gonna do when they come for you? God, I can't stand life without you [Verse 2] Now, me and baby got this situation See, brother got this complex occupation And it ain't that he don't have education 'Cause I was right there at his graduation Now, I ain't sayin' that this life don't work But, it's me and baby that he hurts Because I tell him right, he thinks I'm wrong But I love him strong He gave me the life that I came to live Gave me the song that I came to give Pressure on me, but the seed has grown I can't make it on my own Summer came around and the flowers bloomed He became the sun, I became the moon Precious gifts that we both receive Or could this be make-believe? [Chorus] What you gonna do when they come for you? (Mm) Work ain't honest but it pays the bills (Work ain't honest but it pays the bills, yeah) What we gonna do when they come for you? (Mm-mm) Gave me the life that I came to live Yes, you did [Verse 3] Don't worry, baby I know there's confusion God's gonna see us through, yeah Peace out to revolution But we paid though [Bridge] (Don't you worry, keep your balance) What you gonna do, what you gonna do? (The work ain't honest but it pays the bills) Yes, it does (Don't you worry, keep your balance) Try not to worry, baby (Gave me the life that I came to live) Yes, you did (Don't you worry, keep your balance) Ooh, ooh (The work ain't honest but it pays the bills) Work ain't honest but it pays the bills (Don't you worry, keep your balance) Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh [Refrain] He gave me the life that I came to live Gave me the song that I came to give Pressure on me, but the seed has grown I can't make it on my own Summer came around and the flowers bloomed He became the sun, I became the moon Precious gifts that we both receive Boy, could this be make-believe? [Outro] Oh yeah Badu is with you, baby Mm We gon' make it, yeah Me, you and the baby You gotta do what you gotta do Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah Baby, oh, go, go, go, yeah Oh, oh See, I ain't tryin' to run yo' life But I want you to do what's right, yeah I'm your wife Mm (I can't stand it, baby) Peace out to revolution I know there's confusion You gotta do what you gotta do now

Credits

Writers: Erykah Badu
James Poyser
?uestlove
Richard Nichols
The Roots

Otherside of the Game

Otherside of the Game

Lyrics

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Credits