“Changes” is a song by the American rapper 2Pac, featuring Talent. It was first recorded in 1992 and later remixed and released as a single from Shakur’s Greatest Hits compilation on October 13, 1998.
The song “Changes” is a powerful anthem that addresses racial inequality and the need for societal change. It discusses various issues from Tupac’s era, such as racism, police brutality, drugs, and gang violence.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the meaning behind the lyrics of “Changes.”
Table of Contents
“Changes” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1: 2Pac]
I see no changes, wake up in the morning and I ask myself
Is life worth livin’? Should I blast myself?
I’m tired of bein’ poor and, even worse, I’m black
My stomach hurts so I’m lookin’ for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
Pull the trigger, kill a nigga, he’s a hero
“Give the crack to the kids, who the hell cares?
One less hungry mouth on the welfare”
First ship ’em dope and let ’em deal to brothers
Give ’em guns, step back, watch ’em kill each other
“It’s time to fight back,” that’s what Huey said
Two shots in the dark, now Huey’s dead
I got love for my brother
But we can never go nowhere unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin’ changes
Learn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangers
And that’s how it’s supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he’s close to me? Uh
I’d love to go back to when we played as kids
But things change, and that’s the way it is
In the first verse of “Changes,” 2Pac talks about his daily struggles and the difficult circumstances he faces. He questions the value of life and considers resorting to violence because he is tired of being poor and black.
He mentions the indifference of the police towards black individuals and criticizes them for treating violence as heroic. He also highlights the problem of drugs and gang violence in his community.
2Pac then refers to Huey Newton’s call for resistance and unity. However, he mentions Huey’s assassination, indicating the challenges faced by those who advocate for change.
In the last part of the verse, 2Pac expresses his love for his fellow black people and emphasizes the need for cooperation and solidarity to bring about positive changes.
He reflects on the past when they were kids and longs for a simpler time, but acknowledges that things have changed, and they must address the issues of their current reality.
[Chorus: Talent]
(Come on, come on)
That’s just the way it is (Changes)
Things’ll never be the same
That’s just the way it is (That’s the way it is, what?)
Aww, yeah-yeah (Hear me)
(Oh my, oh my, come on, come on)
That’s just the way it is (That’s just the way it is, the way it is)
Things’ll never be the same
(Never be the same, yeah, yeah, yeah, aww, yeah)
That’s just the way it is (Way it is)
Aww, yeah (Come on, come on)
The chorus emphasizes the idea that some things in life remain constant and unchanging.
It suggests that despite the desire for change and improvement, certain aspects of society and the world will never truly transform.
The repetition of “That’s just the way it is” reinforces the idea that some injustices and inequalities are deeply ingrained and resistant to change.
[Verse 2: 2Pac & Talent]
I see no changes, all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under, I wonder what it takes to make this
One better place, let’s erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people, they’ll be actin’ right
‘Cause both black and white are smokin’ crack tonight
And the only time we chill is when we kill each other (Kill each other)
It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven-sent
We ain’t ready to see a black president, uh (Oh-ooh)
It ain’t a secret, don’t conceal the fact
The penitentiary’s packed and it’s filled with blacks
But some things will never change (Never change)
Try to show another way, but you stayin’ in the dope game (Ooh)
Now tell me, what’s a mother to do?
Bein’ real don’t appeal to the brother in you (Yeah)
You gotta operate the easy way
“I made a G today,” but you made it in a sleazy way
Sellin’ crack to the kids (Oh-oh), “I gotta get paid” (Oh)
Well hey, well that’s the way it is
In the second verse, 2Pac continues to address societal issues. He observes that racial prejudice is still prevalent, leading to hate and discrimination.
He advocates for eradicating the hatred and creating a better world.
He points out that both black and white individuals are affected by drug addiction, illustrating the destructive impact of drugs on society.
2Pac emphasizes the importance of unity and healing, suggesting that it takes skill and effort to mend the divisions between communities.
He acknowledges the desire for a black president, but at that time, it seemed unlikely. He highlights the harsh reality that despite efforts for positive change, some things may never truly transform.
[Interlude: 2Pac]
We gotta make a change
It’s time for us as a people to start makin’ some changes
Let’s change the way we eat
Let’s change the way we live
And let’s change the way we treat each other
You see, the old way wasn’t workin’
So it’s on us to do what we gotta do to survive
In the “Interlude” of “Changes,” 2Pac delivers a brief message calling for change and improvement in various aspects of life. He urges people to make changes in how they eat, live, and treat each other.
He acknowledges that the old ways of doing things haven’t been effective and that it’s up to black people to take action for their own survival and betterment.
[Verse 3: 2Pac & Talent]
And still I see no changes, can’t a brother get a little peace?
It’s war on the streets and the war in the Middle East (Ooh, yeah)
Instead of war on poverty
They got a war on drugs so the police can bother me
And I ain’t never did a crime I ain’t have to do
But now I’m back with the facts, givin’ it back to you (Ooh)
Don’t let ’em jack you up, back you up
Crack you up and pimp-smack you up
You gotta learn to hold your own
They get jealous when they see you with your mobile phone
But tell the cops they can’t touch this
I don’t trust this, when they try to rush, I bust this
That’s the sound of my tool, you say it ain’t cool
My mama didn’t raise no fool (Oh)
And as long as I stay black, I gotta stay strapped
And I never get to lay back
‘Cause I always got to worry ’bout the payback
Some buck that I roughed up way back
Comin’ back after all these years
“Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat,” that’s the way it is
In the third verse of “Changes,” 2Pac continues to discuss the challenges and injustices faced by African Americans. He mentions that he still sees no improvements and that peace remains elusive.
He discusses the ongoing issues of racial prejudice, police harassment, and the “war on drugs” that disproportionately affects his community.
2Pac reflects on the unfairness of being targeted by the police despite not having committed any crimes himself. He emphasizes the importance of self-defense and not trusting the authorities to protect the community’s interests, declaring, “You gotta learn to hold your own.”
2Pac states that as long as he remains black, he must stay vigilant and prepared for potential threats, as expressed in the lines “And as long as I stay black, I gotta stay strapped, And I never get to lay back.”
This verse underscores the enduring struggle against racial inequalities and systemic injustice.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Changes”
“Changes” serves as a rallying cry for change, urging society to confront pressing issues of racial inequality head-on. Through its powerful lyrics, the song offers commentary on various aspects of life and the struggles faced by African Americans.
The song critiques the “war on drugs” and exposes the fact that it has disproportionately affected black communities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and violence. It reveals the harsh treatment and discrimination of black people by the police who deem them as criminals even when they’re innocent.
2Pac also addresses the challenges of life in the ghetto for black people, portraying the daily struggles, pain, and despair faced by those living in impoverished urban neighborhoods.
The song’s title, “Changes,” highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing the problems and injustices present in society. It calls for a change in attitudes, behaviors, and systems that perpetuate racial discrimination, poverty, and violence in America.
In the end, the song “Changes” suggests that while these problems may persist, they are not insurmountable, and positive change is possible through awareness and collective action.
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