LYRICS ANd Song Meaning
Lyrics
Image source
https://tfoxlaw.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/ice-ice-baby-can-a-party-to-bribery-be-a-victim-under-the-crime-victims-rights-act/ |
Song Analysis
In the analysis of the song's meaning it is key to recognize that Ice Ice Baby was strategically developed to be catchy and appealing to a large audience or otherwise known as commercialized. Also, since this is a rap song, many of the lyrics can best be described as nonsensical. However, this does not mean that the song does not have meaning or can not be rhetorically analyzed. In fact, a major portion of the song is used to develop his image as a hip, in style performer. However, this portion will be covered in the Song of America portion. Vanilla Ice starts out with a reference to his group VIP, Vanilla Ice Posse, as many rap groups do. Then the catchy "Ice Ice Baby" chorus is song. Now the actual song begins. Line 3 begins with a catchy verse, which is intended to appeal to many since it symbolizes working together in a team. This is logically followed by Line 4 indicating that he wants to discuss his new invention. Most likely the "brand new invention" refers to the song he is singing. As classic in rap songs, the next verse, Line 5, is non sequitur. The line does not seem to have any purpose other than setting up the rhyme for Line 6 by ending in tightly. Line 6 is quite interesting as it can be interpreted as a a deep metaphor with multiple meanings. Normally, whenever a rap artist describes his "flow" he talks about his singing style, however; a harpoon is large and unwieldy, so we must assume a deeper meaning. Harpoons are used to hunt large sea creatures, such as whales. Thus, we can assume that the harpoon is a metaphor for himself and that he goes after large sea creatures or metaphorically goals. Put simply, he goes after his goals. However, this could be one of the many possible meanings, as harpoons are normally shot into waters in the outer sea, which could possibly signify new experiences. Meaning that he is always out to try new things. Now line 7 seems to have no connection to line 6, but looking back further the "Will it ever stop" most likely references the "Something grabs a hold of me tightly" in line 5. The line 7 verse now makes much more sense in the context of the entire song, which is later found to have a lot to do with being the best and overcoming obstacles, and we see that he questions if he will ever stop trying to be the best. Line 8-10 refer to his show stage presence, complimenting himself on his ability to "rock a mic" and "light up a stage", which means getting the audience excited. "Wax a chump like a candle" in line 10 most likely refers to him out rapping someone, which he refers to as a chump. The next stanza is where Vanilla Ice sets the theme of trying to be the best and plays fun at his own lyrics. Initially starting off with a suggestion to the audience to dance in line 11, he then pokes fun at his own music saying that he is "killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom" with his music and nonsensical lyrics. Line 12 continues with this idea and is mainly intended to include rhyme with the deadly and melody component. Lines 14-16 are where Vanilla Ice overtly appeals to the large audiences by repeating the American value of pursuing your goals and striving to be the best. Line 17 which contains "If there was a problem, yo, i'll solve it" intends to give Vanilla Ice a friendly sense and play on the problem solving value of American culture, as well as setting up a rhyme. Line 21-36 serve no deeper meaning than creating a setting for the next stanza containing Lines 37-50. In lines 37-39, flouts American women and his own wealth, saying others are jealous of him. Lines 40-50 describe a gang shooting scene. While this can be interpreted to highlight the struggle that many Americans face related to gang and gang violence, these lyrics are most likely used to give Vanilla Ice a sense of toughness. Also, this could be a reference to some of his own experiences being in a gang since he was a part of a few during his high school years. It is also notable to notice that he references one of his partners Shay, which is a key commercialization aspect. The next stanza contains virtually no meaning and is solely based on "sounding good." In line 55, he compliments himself telling everyone that he is a rapper aka lyrical poet. Then he alludes to the town he was raised in line 56. He later proceeds to further commercialize his song by referencing Shay or D-Shay in lines 63 and 68. Then the chorus plays and the song ends. |