Old School Love

"**Old School Love**" is a song by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on October 14, 2013 by 1st & 15th Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The song features guest vocals from English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran on the hook and samples the piano riff from the 2004 song "Family Business" by Kanye West. The official music video premiered to YouTube on December 10, 2014, directed by Coodie & Chike.

## Background

"Old School Love" was believed to be the lead single from Fiasco's forthcoming fifth studio album, *Tetsuo & Youth*, though does not appear on the official track listing, being a promotional single instead. Ed Sheeran said of the song, "We have the same A&R in America and he just gave me about seven beats and said write choruses to all of these beats. Lupe loved one of them and is going to hop on it. I'm a massive Lupe Fiasco fan, so it's cool."

In a 2019 interview with *Vibe*, Fiasco stated that his label "was not gonna put the album out unless [he] had these types of singles." He told *Sway in the Morning* that Craig Kallman of Atlantic presented seven records, though the track was "soft," which made him dislike it. Guy Sebastian happened to be in the studio and encouraged Fiasco to release it. He added that he was cool with Sheeran, but not the song. During this process, the initial sample they used had faced issues with clearance.

## Critical reception

*Billboard* noted of the commercial aspect in their review, "[The song] might not return Fiasco to the radio heights of "Superstar" or "The Show Goes On," but it's certainly a step in the right direction."

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Ed Sheeran]

Give me that old school love right now

You know when I hold you, you won’t be alone

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

[Verse 1: Lupe Fiasco]

Give me that late 80s early 90s old school

Feeling like my second album, so cool

Chiraq summer looking so cruel

Look shorty in the eye, told me it was no rules

Went to speak but was like never mind

Let my mind just sneak back to a better time

When I was his age and if he's ever mine

Thinking he would only think back to this and never find

Better times to think back to when it comes

And he's older in the presence of somebody young

Telling him the same things that he told me

And he reacts the same way as that OG

But it's old school, it's like '03

And this old man is my old me

Takes a long time to happen so fast

To realize that your future is somebody else's past

Wassup...

[Hook: Ed Sheeran]

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

[Verse 2: Lupe Fiasco]

Analog black vinyl spinning sounding so good

Top down, can't be a classic if it's no wood

If you don't know what, then you new school

Floor model is the foundation for your YouTubes

Model flows off of Fat Boys and Juice Crews

Melle Mel's, Ice-T's, and the 2 Cools

Add a Moe Dee and a Double L

Had to walk cause it's hard to run in those unbuckled shells

One microphone and a couple 12s

Six drum sounds and a couple bells

Is all you had to make a couple rails

And that's a track, and if you want a (Eeeeeeeh)

You have to make it like that

Now what's one turtle to a couple snails?

Takes a long time to happen so fast

And realize your future is somebody else's past

Wassup...

[Hook: Ed Sheeran]

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

[Verse 3: Lupe Fiasco]

Chiraq summer looking so cruel

How can I reel-to-reel when there's Pro Tool?

I can't dig it at all because there's no tube

Fire when you speak but ain't no warmth in your vocals

Might have been a better rhyme then just never mind

If it's better with time then think in line

That you're going to be your nicest 'round your midlife crisis

If you're life like Christ live your midlife like it's... Christ-like

N\*\*\*a I ain't psychic

I know it's all a cycle and everybody bike it

And France is enormous you're Lance with endorsements

But you might need a hand to enhance your performance

Consider this a kilogram of encouragement

Teach you how to sneak it past the enforcement

And when you get it through in a manner so cool

Remember to give a little nod to the old school

Wassup...

[Bridge: Ed Sheeran]

Give me your old school love right now

I'm leaving it all up to you darling, giving you everything you want

And give me that old school love right now

You know that only you and me alone...

[Hook: Ed Sheeran]

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

As long as I'm here, as long as you love me

Give me that old school love right now

## References

1. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (October 14, 2013). "Lupe Fiasco and Ed Sheeran Go 'Old School'... to 2003". *MTV*.
2. ↑ Bauman, Martin (December 17, 2013). "[Video] Lupe Fiasco ft. Ed Sheeran - "Old School Love" (Dir: Coodie&Chike)". *The Come Up Show*.
3. ↑ Payne, Chris (October 14, 2013). "Lupe Fiasco & Ed Sheeran Team Up on 'Old School Love': Listen". *Billboard*.
4. ↑ "Ed Sheeran: 'I Have a New Song That Will Change My Career'". *Pressparty*. February 25, 2013.
5. ↑ Ketchum, William (February 22, 2019). "Lupe Fiasco on New World Water, and Changing the World with His Bars Before Leaving Rap Behind". *Vibe*.
6. ↑ "Lupe Fiasco's Last Interview: Opens Up About New & BEST Album, Kid Cudi & President Obama". *YouTube*. January 22, 2015.
7. ↑ Hyman, Dan (October 25, 2013). "Featured Single Review: "Old School Love" Lupe Fiasco Featuring Ed Sheeran". *Billboard*.