American Skin (41 Shots)
Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige
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41 shots And we'll take that ride Across the bloody river To the other side 41 shots Cut through the night You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule Praying for his life Is it a gun? Is it a knife? Is it a wallet? This is your life It ain't no secret It ain't no secret No secret, my friend, you can get killed just for living in Your American skin Yeah Oh yeah Yeah Oh-oh If I die right before I wake Cross my heart, then I seal my fate Life in the dark of the heartless Looking at the remedy for all this Everyday they look at you a target Falling victim, them and Him and her then this one, insensitivity Talk bad religion, skin identity Lack rash decision made by yours Pack facility with the urban boy Gun admitted he bear arm The entity, arm and leg and head made to destroy 80% of the victim was yours Maybe I get to relive years of war Look on the corner, we been here before Look at the momma, you seen tears before? Pain bright and early Rain, sleet, hail, snow, worry More storm barricade the city Prosecution, unhung jury These days murder keep 'em busy Sweet blood flowed on the gurney Yellow tape tied around the street Colin Kaepernick was more than worthy I could reverse the day, reverse the time Reverse the block, reverse the gun, reverse the shot Reverse the law, reverse the flaw That made us all the versions of a danger flock Reverse the love, reverse the hate Reverse the hope, reverse the way we playing sin Reverse the moment, so we can live again Life and times of the American skin 41 shots 41 shots 41 shots American skin 41 shots Lena gets her son ready for school She says, "Now, on these streets, Charles You got to understand the rules (41 shots) If an officer stops you (41 shots) Always be polite (41 shots) And never ever run away Promise momma you'll keep your hands in sight" (41 shots) Is it a gun? (What is it?) Is it a knife? (What is it?) Is it a wallet? (What is it?) This is your life It ain't no secret (It ain't no secret) Sure ain't no secret (It ain't no secret) No secret, my friend, you can get killed just for living in You can get killed just for living in You can get killed just for living in Your American skin (41 shots) You can get killed just for living in (41 shots) Your American skin Be careful out there, oh baby (41 shots) Listen to momma when she say (41 shots) (41 shots) Don't wanna take the ride Don't wanna, don't wanna, don't wanna, don't wanna take the ride (41 shots) Don't wanna take the ride (41 shots) No 41shots
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Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist Collaboration"American Skin (41 Shots)" is a song by world-renowned musician Bruce Springsteen. In 2016, Springsteen performed this song as a duet with Grammy-winning music icon, Mary J. Blige, for the first time at the "Shining A Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America."
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Song InspirationThe song was inspired by the tragic shooting of Amadou Diallo, an unarmed man of Guinean origin, by police in New York City in 1999. Diallo was shot 41 times, which is where the number in the title comes from.
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Role of SongThe track has come to serve as an anthem against racial profiling and police violence, with its refrain, "It ain't no secret/ no secret my friend/ You can get killed just for living in your American skin."
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Initial Fan ReactionWhen first performed in concert in 2000, the song stirred controversy among the New York Police Department. Some officers felt the track was anti-police and called for a boycott of Springsteen’s concerts.
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First Studio AppearanceAlthough initially only performed live, "American Skin (41 Shots)" was officially released for the first time in 2001 on Springsteen's "Live in New York City" album.
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Award NominationDespite controversies, the song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 2002.
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Song's ResurgenceThe song gained renewed relevance and increased prominence in the wake of the killings of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and other unarmed Black citizens. Springsteen performed it at his concerts as a tribute to the victims.
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Impact on Mary J. BligeAfter their performance together, Mary J. Blige stated that singing "American Skin (41 Shots)" with Springsteen was a powerful and emotional experience for her. She described the song as something that unifies people and forces them to face difficult realities.
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Contemporary UsageIt has been used in numerous events and rallies advocating for social justice and an end to police violence. The song has also been covered by several other artists, and its lyrics have been sampled in rap songs.
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Re-releaseIn 2014, Springsteen re-released the song on his album “High Hopes.” The studio version featured Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine on lead guitar.
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Citation
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"American Skin (41 Shots) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/33411509/Mary+J.+Blige/American+Skin+%2841+Shots%29>.
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