Can It Be All So Simple

Wu-Tang Clan

About Can It Be All So Simple

"Can It Be All So Simple" is the fourth and final single on Wu-Tang Clan's critically acclaimed debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It features production from RZA (credited as Prince Rakeem) that samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of "The Way We Were". The song reached number nine on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, number twenty four on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and number eighty two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. "Can It Be All So Simple" features rapping from Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. Its lyrics deal with a glorified mafioso lifestyle. In the song, Raekwon and Ghostface discuss the hardships of growing up in New York City during the 1980s, and how they want to live a lavish and famous lifestyle to escape the hardships of life. The music video was directed by Hype Williams, with images similar to the song's content and a cameo by MC Eiht. A remix, with new lyrics can be found on Raekwon's debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.... Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" uses the break beat from "Can It Be All So Simple". 


Year:
1993
4:20
1,117 
#3

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Started off on the island, AKA Shaolin
Niggas wilin', gun shots thrown, the phone dialin'
Back in the days of 8 now, making a tape now
Rae gotta get a plate now
Ignorant and mad young, wanted to be the one
Till I got (Blaow! Blaow! Blaow!) felt one
Yeah, my pops was a fiend since 16
Shooting that "that's that shit!" in his blood stream
That's the life of a grimey, real-life crimey
And niggas know that habit's behind me
Day one, yo, growing all up in the ghetto
Now I'm a weed fiend, jetting the Palmetto
In Medina, yo, no doubt the God got crazy clout
Pushing the big joint from down South
So if you're filthy stacked up
Better watch your back and duck
Cause these fiends, they got it cracked up
Now my man from up north, now he got the law
It's solid as a rock and crazy salt
No jokes, I'm not playing, get his folks
Desert Eagle his dick and put em in a yoke
And to know for sure, I got reck and rip shop
I pointed a gat at his mother's knot
Yo, Rae, don't do that shit, man! Don't do that shit!
F*ck that!

Dedicated to the winners and the losers
Dedicated to all Jeeps and Land Cruisers
(Can it be that it was all so simple then?)
Dedicated to the Y's, 850-I's
Dedicated to niggas who do drive-bys
(Can it be that it was all so simple then?)
Dedicated to the Lexus and the Ac's
Dedicated to MPV's: phat!

Kicking the fly cliches
Doing duets with Rae and A, happens to make my day
Though I'm tired of busting off shots, having to rock knots
Running up in spots and making shit hot
I'd rather flip shows instead of those
Hanging on my living room wall
My first joint, and it went gold!
I want to lamp, I want to be in the shade
Plus the spotlight, getting my dick rode all night
I want to have me a phat yacht
And enough land to go and plant my own sess crops
But for now it's just a big dream
Cause I find myself in the place where I'm last seen
My thoughts must be relaxed, be able to maintain
Cause times is changed and life is strange
The glorious days is gone, and everybody's doing bad
Yo, mad lives is up for grabs
Brothers passing away, I gotta make wakes
Receiving all types of calls from upstate
Yo, I can't cope with the pressure
Settling for lesser
The God left lessons on my dresser
So I can bloom and blossom, find a new way to
Continue to make more hits with Rae and A
Sunshine plays a major part in the daytime
Peace to mankind, Ghostface carry a black 9

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Wu-Tang Clan

The Wu-Tang Clan /ˈwuːtæŋ/ is an American rap group from Staten Island, New York that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi-member of the group. They were formed in (and are associated with) the New York City borough of Staten Island (U-God, Method Man, RZA, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon) (referred to by members as "Shaolin"), though some of their members are from Brooklyn (Ol Dirty Bastard, GZA and Masta Killa). more »

3 fans

Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, RUSSELL T. JONES, DENNIS DAVID COLES, GARY E. GRICE, LAMONT HAWKINS, JASON HUNTER, CLIFFORD SMITH, COREY WOODS, MARILYN BERGMAN, ALAN BERGMAN, MARVIN HAMLISCH

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Album Debut
"Can It Be All So Simple" is a track from Wu-Tang Clan's debut album, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" that was released on November 9, 1993.
Artist Feature
The song prominently features Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, two key members of the Wu-Tang Clan, although every member contributed in some way to the creation of the album.
Certified Gold
On May 15, 1995, roughly 2 years after release, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" was certified Gold by the RIAA - the album containing "Can It Be All So Simple."
Running Length
"Can It Be All So Simple" is approximately 6 minutes and 53 seconds long, making it one of the longest tracks on the album.
Positive Reception
The song, along with the whole album, was well received and lauded for its innovative production, dark humor, and raw talent.
Sample Used
"Can It Be All So Simple" heavily samples the Gloria Jones' song "It's All Over but the Shouting" and the Charmels song "As Long As I've Got You."
Video Production
The music video for "Can It Be All So Simple" was directed by Hype Williams, who is well known for his creative and innovative work in hip hop music videos.
Significant Impact
The song helped shape the hardcore hip hop style of the East Coast in the 1990s and influenced countless other artists.
Tribute Version
Notably, rapper Lauryn Hill sampled "Can It Be All So Simple" in her song "Ex-Factor," which is considered a tribute to the Wu-Tang Clan's influence.
Reflective Lyrics
The tone of "Can It Be All So Simple" is quite reflective, with lyrics expressing the difficulties and struggles faced growing up in New York's housing projects.
Live Performance
In 2004, during a performance at Rock the Bells Festival, the Wu-Tang performed "Can It Be All So Simple" live along with other tracks from their debut album making it a historic moment for the group.
Remix Version
A remix version of the song was included in Raekwon’s debut solo album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..." showing the continued relevance and popularity of the song within the Clan’s discography.

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