Blu and Exile: Below the Heavens

[Verse 1]

Everyone wants a good life. Our definitions on it as adults may differ but as children it is similar to the fabled "American Dream". In order to have a good life we must be rich, married, in a home, own a car, and be safe from all of the troubles in the world. Well, what if one day one mistake can take that dream away from you? Blu in "Show Me the Good Life" jumps into the song with the news that he is going to be a father. Being the first lines of the song this comes as a surprise to the listener much like how the baby is a surprise to Blu; an unplanned pregnancy. All of a sudden all of Blu's plans, hopes, dreams, and future seem out of reach. There is now a time limit before the baby comes and Blu must start preparing and give up on his dreams of cars and wealth as well other things.

Whereas before Blu was looking at his future Blu suddenly looks at his past and what that has made him today. He is 22, has been in jail, discriminated against, and hardly able to care for himself much less a family. He worries about how is supposed to change who he is in such a short time and plays with the thought of leaving his baby's mother (He doesn't).

[Verse 2]

While Blu takes a step back and tries to figure out his life Alloe Black now enters the song with his thoughts on what makes a good life. He starts his first talking about his confusion with how he is supposed to live his life. He explains it with how he wasn't taught much by his father or mother. Confused he feels alone and depressed and is worried about his life and future. However, his Grandma sits him down and tells him that the key to a good life is already inside him. All of the answers to all of the questions are capable or being answers by looking into himself. He has the capability to solve any problem and to face any adversary. His ancestors, after all, were able to withstand slavery, shouldn't he be able to handle himself? He ends the verse saying that as long as he is true to himself he will be living a good life.

[Verse 3]

Blu comes in with the final verse of the song having had some time to get his thoughts together and calm his fears (It can be assumed that this is taking place when his son is older) believes that his previous thoughts of a good life (money, cars, big house, girls, etc.) was wrong. Everything he has ever needed can be found where he already is and he is happy with what he has. Others, who want more, are fighting and dying in the search of what is believed to bring a good life. In defiance of that belief Blu says

"Screw jewels I think my soul glows bright enough
And screw whips I learn more when I ride the bus
And screw it's bad enough that we fight for bucks
And screw hoes cause in the end I need a wife to love
Plus heaven is the life for us so God..."

You do not need to show them the good life, they have already found it

Read the lyrics to "Show Me the Good Life"