The Magic Number

Album: 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
Charted: 7
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  • (Got to have soul)

    Three
    That's the magic number
    Yes, it is
    It's the magic number
    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 preaching is Posdnuos' pleasure
    Pleasure and preaching starts in the heart
    Something that stimulates the music in the measure
    Measure in the 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 Punky
    Parents let go 'cause there's magic in the air
    Criticizing rap shows you're out of order
    Stop, look and listen to the phrasin', Fred Astaires
    And don't get offended while Mase do-se-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 showing the function

    (What does it all mean?)

    Everybody wants to be a deejay
    Everybody wants to be an emcee
    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

    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 "Mmmm" when a daisy grows in your mind
    Showing true position, this here piece is
    Kissin' the part of the pie that's missin'
    Where that negative number fills up the casualty
    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

    (What does it all mean?)

    Focus is formed by flaunts to the soul
    Souls who flaunt styles gain praises by pounds
    Common are speakers who honor the scroll
    Scroll 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
    Time is a factor so it's time to count
    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

    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 the magic number

    (Yo, what's up?)
    (One, two, three)
    (I say, children, what does it all mean?)
    (Whoa-whoa-whoa, one, two, three)
    (I wouldn't lie to you)
    (No more no less, that's the magic number)
    (No more no less)
    (What it is?)
    (No more no less)
    (Is this the future?)
    (No more no less)
    (Do the shang-a-lang)
    (No more no less)
    (Bloodclaat boy try fi chat to me)
    (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) Writer/s: David J. Jolicoeur, Kelvin Mercer, Paul Houston, Robert L Dorough, Vincent Lamont Mason
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Double Dee from NycThat is Led Zep, I cut that on 1/4” tape in 1985.
  • Matt from D.c MdBest pick for spiderman no way home credits.
  • Patrick S. from Orlando, FlAnd that nifty hi-hat and snare riff isn't reminiscent of Bonzo's work on "The Crunge"? If that wasn't also sampled I'll be blown away. Sounds exactly the same!
see more comments

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