Juicy Song Lyrics

Yeah, this album is dedicated to all the teachers that told me 
I'd never amount to nothin', to all the people that lived above the 
buildings that I was hustlin' in front of that called the police on 
me when I was just tryin' to make some money to feed my daughters, 
and all the n***az in the struggle, you know what I'm sayin'?

Uh-ha, it's all good baby bay-bee, uh

[Verse One:]

It was all a dream 
I used to read Word Up magazine 
Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine 
Hangin' pictures on my wall 
Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl 
I let my tape rock 'til my tape popped
Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock 
Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack 
With the hat to match 
Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha
You never thought that hip hop would take it this far 
Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight 
Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade 
Born sinner, the opposite of a winner 
Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner 
Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri 
Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky 
I'm blowin' up like you thought I would 
Call the crib, same number same hood 
It's all good 

Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, ni**a, uh

[Chorus:]

You know very well who you are
Don't let em hold you down, reach for the stars
You had a goal, but not that many
'cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty

[Verse Two:]

I made the change from a common thief 
To up close and personal with Robin Leach 
And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day 
Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way 
The Moet and Alize keep me pissy
Girls used to diss me 
Now they write letters 'cause they miss me 
I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff 
I was too used to packin' gats and stuff 
Now honies play me close like butter played toast 
From the Mississippi down to the east coast 
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks 
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak 
Livin' life without fear 
Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ears 
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool 
Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school 
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood 
And it's still all good 

Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, ni**a 

[Verse Three:]

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis 
When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this 
50 inch screen, money green leather sofa 
Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur 
Phone bill about two G's flat 
No need to worry, my accountant handles that 
And my whole crew is loungin' 
Celebratin' every day, no more public housin' 
Thinkin' back on my one-room shack 
Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back 
And she loves to show me off, of course 
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source 
We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us 
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us 
Birthdays was the worst days 
Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay 
Uh, damn right I like the life I live 
'Cause I went from negative to positive 
And it's all... 

(It's all good)

...and if you don't know, now you know, ni**a, uh
Uh, uh...and if you don't know, now you know, ni**a
Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, ni**a, uh

Representin' B-Town in the house, Junior Mafia, mad flavor, uh
Uh, yeah, a-ight

Little Green Song Analysis

Reflecting on her own choice to put up her child for adoption in the song “Little Green”, Joni Mitchell utilizes emotional characterization, and meaningful symbolism in order to communicate the feelings from her past through poetry in the song.

Throughout the song, Joni characterizes the members of the family very concisely, so the listener can fully understand each member without much description. “He went to California/Hearing everything’s warmer there” After Little Green was born, her father left and went to California instead of helping her mother care for their child. This subtle characterization of her father shows how he is self absorbed and only does thing that will benefit himself. On the contrary, Joni is almost the opposite of her once lover because she is very empathetic. She goes to put her child up for adoption knowing that she cannot properly take care of her, “So you sign all the papers in the family name/You’re sad and you’re sorry, but you’re not ashamed.” Giving up your child is one of the hardest things a mother could go through and Joni made the decision to do so because she wanted her daughter to live in a healthy environment, seeing how she knew she could not provide one for her. Joni’s use of characterization throughout the song is a great complement to the story she is telling because it makes the people more realistic.

The name Little Green is very symbolic and you can see this in many different instances throughout the song. Green itself is a symbol for life which is why she chose that name in the song because Little Green is a pure and innocent newborn baby. “Like the color when the spring is born” Green, as it is used in the song is also a metaphor for new beginnings and the start of a new stage in one’s life, such as the seasons are each a different stage in the Earth’s yearly cycle. Also in the song, Joni turns simple objects into symbols, “There’ll be icicles and birthday clothes/And sometimes there’ll be sorrow” These lyrics are directed toward her daughter and mean that there will be good times and bad times throughout her life. Her symbolic lyrics make the song more enjoyable because you have to listen to understand the true meaning behind her words.

Lyrically, this song is very rich and contains many deep phrases that come from the heart. The emotional characterization adds depth to the story telling by helping you feel the same emotions as the people in the song. The symbolism in her words also add to the beauty of the work acting like the icing on the cake. Unlike most of the music of today, Joni Mitchell’s song “Little Green” has true meaning and uses multiple poetic devices to create a lullaby like piece of art centered around her daughter, “Born with the moon in Cancer.”