Too White

Yo, Nolan, man, what's up?
Everytime 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 at this radio station

Yo, yo
All right, this stuff is bad
Yeah, this is the deal

My heart was into music
Way before Woodstock days
I practiced playin' Hendrix
I learnt 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 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