National Anthem

## Song by Lupe Fiasco

"**National Anthem**" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was released as the second track from his mixtape *Enemy of the State: A Love Story* (2009). It samples the 2000 song "The National Anthem" by Radiohead.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro]

Check

One, two

Aw, nah

[Verse 1]

Your attention, please! Your attention, I need it

So I can sit you in a position from which I see it

Where I'm seated is scenic

Heavy-weighter, slim as the Machinist, so bulimic

Which means you somewhere in between it

I take it back for you like the Wyld Stallyns of San Dimas

I'm in the market for low-mile 360 Modena annd a good organic cleaners

My car always a winner

Your car's always pitted—we should call it" Stanley Steamers"

Most of my friends in gangs

My new nickname is Genghis Khan—

But without the 'Ye, but his last name's my side

I ride with the meanest

I'm armed to the teeth

You're Venus, and you've never been to the dentist

School of Hard Knocks, I dean it

I done it, as well as a celebrated alumnus

I donate to the campus, and my name's on the arenas

But you can't bring it to my court—not even with subpoenas

'Cause you can't play my sport, but you can still cheerlead us

And you can't sit there—that section's for the seniors

And the sexy señoritas, so, just move up to the bleachers

How you gonna school me when I grew up with your teachers?

I know that you can't hear me 'cause I blew up all the speakers

And the power line is hanging 'cause I threw up all the sneakers

I ate up the imposters and I chewed through all the pizzas

I blacked out with a black card and I maxed out all the Visas, ugh

Accreditation so prestigious

Just walk across my stage—your life will be completed

Don't need financial aid, 'cause this is just some free shit

You been properly prepared, throw your hats up in the air

I'm red hot, Chilly—I'm Anthony Kiedis

My spirit smells teenage, and Chi-Town's feeling excellent

We hit them with the President—see, we set the precedent

I don't feel I'm best, I just feel I'm better than...

[Chorus: Sample]

Everyone

Everyone around here

Everyone is so near

It's holding on

It's holding on

[Verse 2]

See I don't disagree, this is just a grievance

This ain't dissing; this is civil disobedience

How you gon' make hip-hop without all the ingredients?

Lot of mouths to feed, plus, a lot of greediness

And that greed outshines the neediness

What n\*\*\*as need is some "question the authority and tune out all the TV" shit

And we be this

So I give 'em more—you see, I did it for...

[Chorus: Sample]

Everyone

Everyone is so near

Everyone has got the fear

It's holding on

It's holding on

[Verse 3]

Yeah, I am back up on the airwaves

Feeling like a Soldier, and I ain't talking where the Bears play

Flair—look how I Fred Astaire down the staircase

It's finna be a hair-raising tortoise-versus-hare race

So you should hang around here, like some earrings

I know attention's all about how you pair things

So, when I want them to hear me out

I just sit them next to some pictures of Rosa splitting with her titties out

And what's written on her titties is what it's really about

Then, her vagina is some poor kids from China

Nipples, nuclear missiles

Ass is a daughter without a dad

Back is like Afghanistan, Iraq

Health care hair, drive-by thighs

Education lips, HIV eyes

Environment feet; justice get her so wet

Brains get you brains, you can fuck her if you protest

But before you bust in her face

Finish listening to the tape: *Enemy of the State*