Engine Running

By Talib Kweli

On Liberation

Released on January 1, 2006

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[Intro: Various samples]


[Chorus]

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

And don't make a move unless the one-time's comin'

And just wait outside and keep the engine runnin', man

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

And don't make a move unless the one-time's comin'

And just wait outside and keep the engine runnin', runnin'


[Verse 1: Consequence]

Man, my Pops won't let me drive until the law says that I'm able

But since he fell asleep and left his keys up on the table, 

I figured I'd be able to snatch 'em without permission

And he'd be out cold and never find out they was missin'

So I did just that, and got the car up out the driveway

Then hit up Pat and we was headed toward highway

But made one stop to get some Newports and Coronas

Before we checked these chicks that we had knew out in Corona

But at the turn of corner in this bad part of town, 

We see this nigga Rell and he's flaggin' us down

Then he walked up on the car, asked me and Pat "What's poppin'?"

Then jumped in the backseat before I got the chance to lock it

Asked me if could we drop him, even though we going elsewhere

But what poked from his shirt gave me concerns for my welfare

'Cause even though his belt's there, the TEC's on his waist

And he made us stop the car at the check-cashing place

Then threw a mask on his face like MF DOOM

'Cause there's enough cash in the safe to buy a new Lex soon

And his tone was rather smooth when he said, "Don't make a muscle move

'Cause 'til I get inside, the only thing I wanting y'all chumps to do is –"


[Chorus]

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

And don't make a move unless the one-time's comin'

And just wait outside and keep the engine runnin', man

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

And don't make a move unless the one-time's comin'

And just wait outside and keep the engine runnin', runnin'


[Verse 2: Talib Kweli]

Top shotters got the block hotter than Jamaican sun

You taste it on your tongue, the shots is stronger than Jamaican rum

Wray & Nephew to Appleton, the big ratchets, they packin 'em

They argue when they leavin' they over 'cause they'll be back again

Trapped with the clackers, tonight is blacker than the pistol grip

They let off over little shit and chill for a little bit

Hop in my hoopty, gotta stop for a loosie, 

Butter Crunch and the Dutch, grab the clutch, bumpin' "Juicy"

The nigga Biggie can move me 'cause the shit be like a movie

Plus I live in Brooklyn like Theo, Denise, and Rudy

Plus Sandra and Vanessa left my cash on the dresser

'Cause the ATM machine at the check-cashing next to the bodega, 

I pulled up in the back, a Acura runnin'

The cats in the car looked like disaster was comin'

Niggas buggin', thinkin' somethin' was wrong, I played the corner

I always keep the gat like DMX in Arizona

In the corner of my cornea, I see the one-time California

Slang for cops and they comin' by cruisin'

The niggas in the Legend peeled out

The people in the check-cashing spot spilled out

On the street, their faces looking like a child has been abused

Here come this nigga with a gun, lookin' wild and confused

Put it together, I'm like "These niggas..."

The cop shot me in the back and then I heard him say, "Freeze, nigga"


[Chorus]

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

And don't make a move unless the one-time's comin'

And just wait outside and keep the engine runnin', man

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

Just wait outside and keep the engine runnin'

And don't make a move unless the one-time's comin'

And just wait outside and keep the engine runnin', runnin'