Change

J. Cole

About Change

"Change" is a song by American rapper J. Cole, released on December 9, 2016 from his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only.


Year:
2016
5:31
434 
#2

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My intuition is telling me they'll be better days
Yeah, my intuition is telling me they'll be better days
I like this tone

Yeah, my intuition is telling me they'll be better days
I sit in silence and and find whenever I meditate
My fears alleviate, my tears evaporate
My faith don't deviate, ideas don't have a date
But see I'm growing and getting stronger with every breath
Bringing me closer to heaven's doors with every step
As we speak I'm in peace, no longer scared to die
Most niggas don't believe in God and so they terrified
It's either that or they be fearing they gon' go to Hell
Asking the father for forgiveness, God, I'm overwhelmed (Please God, I want to go to Heaven)
As if he's spiteful like them white folks that control the jail
See I believe if God is real, he'll never judge a man
Because he knows us all and therefore he would understand
The ignorance that make a nigga take his brother's life
The bitterness and pain that got him beating on his wife

I know you desperate for a change at the pen glide
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from
In cemeteries or in chains I see men cry
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from

Yeah, my chosen religion: Jesus piece frozen from sinnin'
Doin' dirt hoping to God He know my intentions
To see a million 'fore I see a casket
I got a baby on the way know he gon' be a bastard
I'm living fast like I'm in a drag race, how that cash taste
When I was a senior I was ballin' on my classmates
Niggas put three bullets in my car one hit the gas tank
Know I got a angel cause I'm supposed to have a halo
Right now, my lifestyle destined for a federal facility
For my ability to make them birds fly
Fiends wanna get higher than a bird's eye view
And who am I tell a nigga what to do?
I just apply this economics
My business ain't got the suit and tie
Keep a pistol at all times, niggas want what's mine
I can't oblige dog, I work too hard
So reach for it, get referred to God, I'm going hard nigga

I know you desperate for a change at the pen glide
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from
In cemeteries or in chains I see men cry
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from inside
But the only real change come from

Yeah, prodigal son
Got a new gun, this one
Don't run out of ammo lately been working on my handles
Can I ball, become a star, and remain my self
If I fall, dust it off and regain my self
F*ck 'em all, they don't know all the pain I felt
I'm in awe, after all the fame I felt I evolve
I no longer bury demons
I be a vessel for the truth until I'm barely breathing, I'm singing

Life is all about the evolution
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I'm back for more
You can dream but don't neglect the execution
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I'm back for more
Time is short that's what somebody told me
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I'm back for more
Too short to keep following your homies
I give up, I give in, I move back a little
I live up, I look up, now I'm back for more

I reminisce back to a time where niggas threw they hands
All of a sudden niggas pop a trunk and then we scram
Finger on trigger make a little nigga understand
What it's like to finally be the motherfuckin' man
Eyes wide that's from the power that the coward feels
Niggas die over bitches disrespecting dollar bills
Bloodshed that turned the city to a battlefield
I call it poison, you call it real (pop, pop, pop, pop)
That's how you feel?

Pistols be poppin' and niggas drop in a heartbeat
Scattered like roaches, a body laid on the concrete
Body laid on the concrete
Look, somebody laid on the concrete
No time for that, ain't no lookin' back, cause I'm running too
I made it home, I woke up and turned on the morning news
Overcame with a feeling I can't explain
'Cause that was my nigga James that was slain, he was 22
(Last night at around) He was 22
(22 year old black male, suspect, poor)

(I swear to God bruh)
We're gathered here today
(I swear to God)
To mourn the life of James McMillan Jr
(I swear to God—nigga, I'mma kill them niggas man)
A tragedy, another tragedy in the black community
(I promise you bro)
We got to do better, people
22 years old, this boy was too young
(I promise you bro, I'mma kill them niggas bro)
Our condolences go to his family, our prayers
(I'mma kill them niggas myself)
We know he's in a better place
But this has got to end, ladies and gentleman
We've got to come together, this is, this is, beyond words
Now I'd like to open this ceremony with a verse from

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J. Cole

Jermaine Lamar Cole (born January 28, 1985), better known by his stage name J. Cole, is a German-born American hip hop recording artist and record producer from Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2009, he became the first artist to sign to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. His long-awaited debut album titled Cole World: The Sideline Story was released on September 27, 2011. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, Top R&B Albums and Top Rap Albums chart, selling more than 217,000 in its first week sales. He received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 54th Grammy Awards. more »

8 fans

Written by: Anthony Parrino, James Dewitt Yancey, James E. Jr. Branch, Jermaine L. Cole, Ronald Eugene Gilmore

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc., SHELLY BAY MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Release
The song "Change" is a part of J. Cole's fourth studio album, "4 Your Eyez Only," which debuted in 2016.
Conceptual Storyline
The song follows a narrative structure. J. Cole raps about his perspective on change, inner growth, societal issues, and fallen friends.
Commercial Success
"4 Your Eyez Only" landed at No.1 on the Billboard 200 chart, with "Change" playing a significant role in the album's success.
Personal History
"Change" reflects J. Cole's experiences and views growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, addressing social problems such as violence and racial inequality.
Feature Collaboration
While J.Cole is known for his “no feature" policy, "Change" includes Ari Lennox, J. Cole’s label's first lady, whose vocals add soul to the song's chorus.
Production
"Change" was co-produced by J. Cole himself, alongside Ron Gilmore, a longtime producer for J. Cole's Dreamville label.
Real Life References
At the end of the song, J. Cole dedicates it to a friend killed due to violence, a real-life person named James McMillan Jr.
Musical Exploration
"Change" exhibits J. Cole’s growth as an artist, with the use of a saxophone and female chorus indicating his willingness to experiment with different sounds.
Impact and Influence
The song's message has inspired many fans, connecting with them on a deeper level about universal changes and personal transformations.
Message
"Change" sends a powerful message about how change often needs to come from within oneself before it can influence the world.

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    "Change Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 15 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33570074/J.+Cole/Change>.

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    Change

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2016

    Billboard #21


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