
Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Rap, Boom Bap
They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) by Pete Rock & CL Smooth Lyrics
2 Plays
Duration: 4:47
Lyrics
[Produced by Pete Rock] [Intro] (I reminisce, I reminisce) (I reminisce, I reminisce) (I reminisce, I reminisce) I reminisce, I reminisce Uh! (I reminisce, I reminisce) Yeah (I reminisce, I reminisce) (I reminisce, I reminisce) (I reminisce, I reminisce) [Verse 1: CL Smooth & Pete Rock] I reminisce for a spell, or shall I say think back (Yeah) Twenty-two years ago to keep it on track (Uh-huh) The birth of a child on the 8th of October (It's like that) A toast, but my granddaddy came sober Countin' all the fingers and the toes Now I suppose (Uh) you hope the little black boy grows (Yeah) Huh, eighteen years younger than my mama (Mama) But I rarely got beatings 'cause the girl loved drama (Yeah) In single parenthood, there I stood (Huh?) By the time she was 21, had another one (Yeah) This one is a girl, let's name her Pam Same father as the first, but you don't give a damn (Alright) Irresponsible, plain not-thinking (Yeah) Papa said "Chill", but the brother keep winking (Uh-huh) Still he won't down you or tear out your hide (Right) On your side while the baby maker slide (Slide) But mama got wise to the game The youngest of five kids, hon here it is After 10 years without no spouse Mama's gettin married in the house Listen, positive over negative for the woman and master Mother Queen's rising a chapter D�j� vu, tell you what I'm gonna do When they reminisce over you, my God [Bridge 1: Pete Rock] My God It's so Yeah, so lovely That's how we like to do it in the '90s Pete Rock & CL Smooth comin' atcha [Verse 2: CL Smooth] When I date back I recall a man off the family tree My right hand Poppa Doc I see Took me from a boy to a man so I always had a father When my biological didn't bother Taking care of this, so who am I to bicker Not a bad ticker but I'm clocking pop's liver But you can never say that his life is through Five kids at 21 believe he got a right too Here we go while I check the scene With the Portuguese Lover at the age of 14 The same age, front page, no fuss But I bet you all your dough they live longer than us Never been senile, that's where you're wrong But give the man a taste and he's gone Noddin' off, sleep to a jazz tune I can hear his head banging on the wall in the next room I get the pillow and hope I don't wake him For this man do cuss, hear it all in verbatim Telling me how to raise my boy unless he's taking over I said pop maybe when you're older We laughed all night about the hookers at the party My old man standing, yelling "Good God Almighty" Use your condom, take sips of the brew When they reminisce over you, for real [Bridge 2: Pete Rock] For real, baby Like that We for real Comin' at ya In '92 Pete Rock & CL Smooth Yeah, c'mon, hit me! [Verse 3: CL Smooth] I reminisce so you never forget this The days of way-back, so many bear witness the fitness Take the first letter out of each word in this joint Listen close as I prove my point T to the R the O-Y, how did you and I meet? In front of Big Lou's, fighting in the street But only you saw what took many time to see I dedicate this to you for believing in me Rain or shine, yes, in any weather My Grandmom Pam holds the family together My Uncle Doc's the greatest, better yet the latest If we're talking about a car, Uncle Sterling got the latest I strive to be live 'cause I got no choice And run my own business like my Aunt Joyce So Pete Rock hit me, nuff respect due When they reminisce over you, listen [Outro: Pete Rock] Listen, just listen To the funky song as I rock on And that's word is bond I'm not playin' Everybody, just coolin' This song we dedicate To the one and only Never be another He was my brother Trouble T-Roy It's like that y'all And you don't stop Pete Rock and CL Smooth for '92 And we out, later (Just listen, listen, listen) (Just listen, listen, listen) (Just listen, listen, listen) (Just listen, listen, listen) Peace!
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Meaning of "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
The song opens with a profound sense of looking back, a repeated "I reminisce" that immediately establishes a reflective, almost melancholic mood. CL Smooth then takes us on a chronological journey, starting with his own birth and tracing the complex, often painful, family dynamics that shaped him. We see a young mother navigating single parenthood, facing her own father's struggles and eventually remarrying, while the narrator grapples with his biological father's absence and the presence of a stepfather figure. The central tension arises from the contrast between the narrator's desire for stability and the often-irresponsible actions of the adults around him, particularly his parents. He recounts his mother's early parenthood and his father's infidelity, creating a picture of a fractured family structure. Yet, amidst this, there's a persistent thread of resilience, seen in his grandmother holding things together and his own determination to learn from these experiences, even as he acknowledges the difficult lessons. A striking element is the way the lyrics weave together personal history with broader observations about life and legacy. The narrator dedicates the song to "T-Roy," revealing that the "T.R.O.Y." acronym stands for someone deeply significant, a "brother" lost. This personal dedication transforms the preceding narrative from a general reflection on family into a specific tribute, highlighting how individual lives, with all their complexities and heartbreaks, are remembered and honored. Ultimately, the song's power lies in its raw honesty and the way it uses specific, intimate details to evoke a shared human experience of memory, loss, and enduring connection. The repeated "I reminisce" isn't just a hook; it's an invitation to reflect on our own histories, the people who shaped us, and the lasting impact of those we've lost. It's a testament to how personal stories, when told with such vulnerability, can resonate deeply.
This AI-assisted editorial analysis was reviewed, improved, and approved by the LyricsWeb editorial team.
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Credits
- Writers
- Pete Rock
- CL Smooth
- Marty Balin
- Paul Kantner