Released: November 7, 1989
Songwriter: Queen Latifah KRS-One
Producer: KRS-One
[Verse 1]
You asked, I came, so behold the Queen
Let's add a little sense to the scene
I'm living positive, not out here knocked up
But the lines are so dangerous, I ought to be locked up
This rhyme doesn't require prime time
I'm just sharing thoughts of mine
Back again cause I knew you wanted it
From the Latifah with the Queen in front of it
Dropping bombs, you're up in arms, you're puzzled
The lines will flow like fluid while you're guzzling
The sip I drop you on a BDP-produced track
From KRS, to be exact
It's a Flavor Unit quest that today has me speaking
Cause it's knowledge I'm seeking
Enough about myself, I think it's time that I tell you
About the evil that men do
[Instrumental Chorus]
[Verse 2: Queen Latifah + KRS-One]
Situations, reality—what a concept!
Nothing ever seems to stay in step
So today, here is a message to my sisters and brothers
Here are some things I want to cover
A woman strives for a better life, but who the hell cares?
Because she's living on welfare
I government can't come up with a decent housing plan
So she's in no man's land
It's a sucker who tells you you're equal
You don't need him—Johannesburg's crying for freedom!
We the people hold these truths to be self-evident
But there's no response from the president
Someone's living the good life, tax-free
Except for a girl, can't find a way to be crack free
And that's just part of the message
I thought I had to send you about the evil that men do
[Instrumental Chorus]
[Verse 3: Queen Latifah]
Tell me, don't you think it's a shame?
When someone can put a quarter in a video game
But when a homeless person approaches you on the street
You can't treat him the same
It's time to teach the def, the dumb, the blind
That black-on-black crime only shackles and binds
You to a doom, a fate worse than death
But there's still time left
Stop putting your conscience on cease
And bring about some type of peace
Not only in your heart, but also in your mind
It will benefit all mankind
Then there will be one thing that will never stop
And it's the evil that men do
[Instrumental bridge]
You asked, I came, so behold the Queen
Let's add a little sense to the scene
I'm living positive, not out here knocked up
But the lines are so dangerous, I ought to be locked up
This rhyme doesn't require prime time
I'm just sharing thoughts of mine
Back again cause I knew you wanted it
From the Latifah with the Queen in front of it
Dropping bombs, you're up in arms, you're puzzled
The lines will flow like fluid while you're guzzling
The sip I drop you on a BDP-produced track
From KRS, to be exact
It's a Flavor Unit quest that today has me speaking
Cause it's knowledge I'm seeking
Enough about myself, I think it's time that I tell you
About the evil that men do
[Instrumental Chorus]
[Verse 2: Queen Latifah + KRS-One]
Situations, reality—what a concept!
Nothing ever seems to stay in step
So today, here is a message to my sisters and brothers
Here are some things I want to cover
A woman strives for a better life, but who the hell cares?
Because she's living on welfare
I government can't come up with a decent housing plan
So she's in no man's land
It's a sucker who tells you you're equal
You don't need him—Johannesburg's crying for freedom!
We the people hold these truths to be self-evident
But there's no response from the president
Someone's living the good life, tax-free
Except for a girl, can't find a way to be crack free
And that's just part of the message
I thought I had to send you about the evil that men do
[Instrumental Chorus]
[Verse 3: Queen Latifah]
Tell me, don't you think it's a shame?
When someone can put a quarter in a video game
But when a homeless person approaches you on the street
You can't treat him the same
It's time to teach the def, the dumb, the blind
That black-on-black crime only shackles and binds
You to a doom, a fate worse than death
But there's still time left
Stop putting your conscience on cease
And bring about some type of peace
Not only in your heart, but also in your mind
It will benefit all mankind
Then there will be one thing that will never stop
And it's the evil that men do
[Instrumental bridge]
more tracks from the album
All Hail the Queen
- Come Into My House
- Wrath of My Madness (Soulshock Remix)
- Dance for Me (Ultimatum Remix)
- Queen of Royal Badness
- Wrath of My Madness
- The Pros
- Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children
- Princess of the Posse
- Evil That Men Do
- Inside Out
- Latifah’s Law
- Ladies First
- A King and Queen Creation
- Dance for Me
- Princess of the Posse (DJ Mark The 45 King Remix)
From the album
- All Hail the Queen (1989)
Queen Latifah popular songs
- U.N.I.T.Y.
- Living Single theme song
- I Know Where I’ve Been
- Ladies First
- Big, Blonde and Beautiful
- When You’re Good To Mama
- Just Another Day...
- Come So Far (Got So Far To Go) (”Hairspray”)
- Cell Block Tango (He Had it Comin’)
- Name Callin’ Part 2
- Fix Me, Jesus
- Name Callin’
- Come Into My House
- Dance for Me
- A King and Queen Creation
- Latifah’s Law
- Inside Out
- Evil That Men Do
- Princess of the Posse
- Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children
- The Pros
- Wrath of My Madness
- Queen of Royal Badness
- Weekend Love