Lyric Analysis

1. Highlight three lines you think sound “cool.” Explain why you like them. Mark these with C.

2. Highlight any ALLUSIONS that you see. An allusion is a brief reference to a well-known character or event. Mark these with an A.

3. Explain what the reference refers to and why it is in the song.

4. Write a summary statement for each verse.

5. Identify three strong metaphors. A metaphor is a type of figurative language that uses one thing to mean something else. Explain the three metaphors you find in the margins. Mark each with an M.

Favorite artist: J. Cole

Favorite song: Sideline Story

[Verse 1]

I put my heart and soul in this game, I'm feelin' drained

Unappreciated, unalleviated

Tired of comin' up short, fuck abbreviated

Want my whole name spelled out, my own pain spilled out

No pain, no gain, I blow brains, Cobain

Throw flames, Liu Kang, the coach ain't help out, so I call my own shots

I'm David Blaine, I'm breakin' out of my own box, you stay the same

But homie if you change, man you change for the better

Back when Martin King had a thing for Coretta

Wonder if she seen all the dreams he was dreamin'

Did she have a clue of all the schemes he was schemin'

Still loved her just enough to put up with the cheatin'

Must go by and only see him for a weekend

I say a prayer, hope my girl ain't leavin'

We all got angels, we all got demons

As you fall through the club

Bad bitches down to do all the above

Money comes fast so bein' hungry don't last

Till you look in the mirror and you saw who you was

Cole World, it couldn't be more clearer

The time is now, it couldn't be more herer

My reign gonna last like 3-4 eras

Say hello to the real, I can be your hero

[Hook]

Hey, I'ma put us all on the map

Gone and I ain't lookin' back

I knew they gon' feel it like they tank on E

I promise baby, you can bet the bank on me

Cause ain't nobody tell me why there ain't gonna be no more

Thinking I'ma fall? Don't be so sure

I wish somebody made guidelines

On how to get up off the sidelines

[Verse 2]

Up in first class, laugh even though it's not funny

See a white man wonder how the fuck I got money

While he sit at coach, hate to see me walk past em

Young black pants sag, headphones blastin'

Know what he askin', "How did he manage?"

"With all the cards against him, he used them to his advantage!"

Slang we be speakin' probably soundin' like Spanish

Then I fuck they heads up when a nigga show manners

Some New York niggas thought it was funny callin' us Bama

Laughin' at the grammar cause they didn't understand us

Must've thought we slow, but little do they know

I came up in here to take advantage of that shit y'all take for granted

Opportunity that I would kill for

Lookin' at rappers like "what the fuck you got a deal for?!"

When I was assed out with my funds low

It's nice to know I had the whole world at my front door

[Verse 3]

I made it to the Roc, even though they tried to box me out

I got the key to the game, they tried to lock me out

But what they don't understand is this is all plan

It's a bigger picture and you can't photoshop me out

Some nigga ask me why Jay never shout me out

Like I'm supposed to give a fuck

Don't you know that I be out in France

Where the fans throw they hands like Pacquiao

Not cause my looks, cause my hooks could knock Rocky out

And my lines is designed from the heart

Young Simba been a lion from the start

Dumb niggas, y'all been lyin' from the start

My life's like a move, truly

And these niggas is dyin' for the part

But, you'll never play me like LeBron vs. Jordan

Twenty years, wonder who they gon' say was more importan'

Both changed the game, came through and made a lane

Who's to say that who's greater, all we know, they ain't the same