Too White lyrics

Yo, Nolan, man, what's up?

Every time I see you,

You're playing with that dumb guitar, man

You wanna make money?

You wanna get a record deal?

You gots to play some music that the streets can relate to

Oh yeah? Well, what you know about it?

Yeah, well, you just check out these def jams I got on this radio station

Yo, yo

Alright, this stuff is bad

Yeah, this is the deal

My heart was into music

Way before the Woodstock days

I practiced playin' Hendrix

I learned to play Purple Haze

I finally made some contacts

I bought a Fender guitar

Then went to sign some contracts

So they could make me a star

They listened to my music

And said they liked the song

But then the boss pulled me aside and said,

"There's only one thing wrong"

He said, "It's too white"

I said, "Too white?"

He said, "That's right, it's just too white"

"Would you like if I change it?"

"I might. It's a hell of a tune, but it's just too white"

I put in beat by templates

And of the heavier beat,

I threw in every sound that

I heard 'em use in the streets

So I took my brand new record

To the same guy as before

And the secretary said, "Wait here,"

And took the song behind those doors

But you know I wasn't worried

I knew my thing was tough

Then the boss came back outside and said,

"That's good, but not good enough."

I said, 

("Too white?")

"That's right."

("Too white?")  

"Say what? Still too white?"

"Don't get upset, it's almost right.

You came damn close, but it's still too white."

(Oh, oh, oh, too white, too white)

He took me by the shoulder

And looked me in the face and said,

"You gotta understand me, boy,

This is not about race.

I don't care if your music is played white or black.

But I gotta hear that sound that makes me, huh,

Spin on my back.

Now it really helps your records, as far as ratings go,

If people see a breakdance crew in your video.

So you need a funky bass line and a really heavy groove.

And it would really help if you could dance

Some, uh, robot moves?"

Does he mean my image?

Should I change the look I love?

Should I braid my hair

Or should I wear a sequined glove?

Now, this is some dilemma

It's a hell of a plight

They seem to like my music, but it's just too white!

(Too white, too white)

(Oh, oh, oh, too white, too white)

Yo, Nolan, man, how many times I've told you?

Stay away from that guitar, man

Check out these congas

Stop making noise with those, man

Now check out a hot bit like this

Nu-uh, man, that don't turn me on, man

You wanna play somethin', check out bass like this

Yeah, okay, bass is cool

But every man needs some metal

(Too white, too white)

(Oh, oh, oh too white, too white)

(Oh, oh, oh, too white, too white)

(Too white, too white)

"Say what? Still too white?"

"Now, don't get upset, it's almost right.

You came damn close, but it's still too white."

(Oh, oh, oh, too white, too white)

Should I wear an earring in my ear?

Should I tuck my shirt down under?

(Oh, oh, oh, too white, too white)

Maybe I should try to sound like Stevie

I wonder...

• Artist:Nolan Thomas
• Album:Yo' Little Brother (1985)