Track 6 of the EP Itchy Feet · 2022
Welcome Back Block, Turn It Up
“Same street sign, same crack in the track, bags heavy on my back. Closing the EP by getting off the bus and turning it up.”
hip hop · anthemic hip hop · homecoming · 3:32
Lyrics
Bus pulls in at the corner, bags heavy on my back Same old street sign, same old crack in the track Smell of fried plantain drifting from the second floor Little kids on scooters waving like it's a parade door Gone for eight long months, but the block didn't forget Mrs. Alvarez on the stoop yelling, look who's here, yet! Barber's got the clippers buzzing, wave across the glass Everybody knows my name, I'm home, I'm home at last Open up the windows, let the sound come through Every single neighbor shouting, we missed you Welcome back block, turn it up Pour a little music in a paper cup Welcome back block, hands up high Home sounds loud under the sky Welcome back block, turn it up Feeling like a king in a beat-up truck Welcome back block, here we go Everybody's singing, everybody knows Old crew at the hydrant, daps and one-arm hugs Somebody's got a speaker blasting loud and proud thugs Little cousin's taller now, holding up a sign Hand-drawn, glitter pen, says you're home, you're mine Grill's already smoking, music rolling out the door Everybody brought a dish, there's a dozen kinds or more I thought I'd miss the quiet, but I missed the noise instead The laughter and the shouting and the bass inside my head Open up the windows, let the sound come through Every single neighbor shouting, we missed you Welcome back block, turn it up Pour a little music in a paper cup Welcome back block, hands up high Home sounds loud under the sky Welcome back block, turn it up Feeling like a king in a beat-up truck Welcome back block, here we go Everybody's singing, everybody knows Sunset on the rooftops, orange on the brick Sitting on the stoop with a sandwich, feeling slick Told the whole block stories from the road I took Mrs. Alvarez said, baby, write it in a book Maybe I'll go traveling again before too long But now I'm in the middle of my favorite song Drums are in the pavement, heart is in the street Every step I take sounds like a heartbeat Clap it, clap it, one more time Every window open, every neighbor in line Home is where the people know your name Shout it from the rooftops, never be the same Welcome back block, turn it up Pour a little music in a paper cup Welcome back block, hands up high Home sounds loud under the sky Welcome back block, turn it up Feeling like a king in a beat-up truck Welcome back block, here we go Everybody's singing, everybody knows Welcome back block Turn it up, turn it up